Classical Studies Program Statement on Diversity and Inclusion
The Classical Studies Program at Bard College aims to cultivate a community that is equitable, respectful, and inclusive for each of its members, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, social class, age, disability, religion, or national origin. Furthermore, we are committed to expanding the pool of students who study the Greek and Roman world. We are especially eager to attract and support students who might not have otherwise considered our field.
In both our research and teaching, we seek to foreground the diversity of the ancient world, from the writings of Roman women to Christian ascetics, from courses on the “Invention of Difference in Greece and Rome” to studies on the edges of the earth in ancient thought. We recognize the ancient Mediterranean as a site of cultural interchange involving artifacts and ideas from the Middle East, Africa, and central Asia—regions that have been under-appreciated in Classical Studies. Our shared view is that the study of Greek and Roman antiquity is all the richer for including voices and traditions that have often been marginalized in Classics.
Our commitment to the diversity of our field extends to the scholarship we teach within our courses, and the outside scholars whom we welcome to our community. We therefore acknowledge our responsibility to engage with the work of scholars from historically under-represented groups in our teaching and through invitations to share their research with the College. In order to advance our commitment to inclusion, we will also recruit a post-doctoral fellow who will enhance the diversity of our Classics community through their teaching and research.
As scholars, teachers, and students we are especially interested in the many ways that ancient Greece and Rome can remain relevant for our present moment. To give just one example, in the twenty-first century Greek tragedy has proven a potent medium for relating the stories of women, migrants, refugees, political prisoners, and combat veterans. We seek through our teaching and research to provide our students with the tools to study and respond critically and creatively to the ancient world and its legacy. In recognition of the collaborative nature of this pursuit, we have begun a reading group of students and faculty to foster open discussion and thorough examination of the dynamics of race and ethnicity and other forms of discrimination in Classics. Our hope is that the study of the Classics can contribute to making the world a fairer and more just place.