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Professor Paul Burke and his students explore the art, history, language and religion of ancient Mediterranean civilizations. |
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Meet the researchers: A personalized course of study
Interview with Justin Villet '09, Fall 2008
Justin Villet is studying this semester in Athens, Greece through the College Year in Athens program based at the International Center for Hellenic and Mediterranean Studies.
What are you studying at Clark?
I'm an ancient civilization major, minoring in philosophy. My intellectual focuses are ancient Greek mythology and the formation of the Spartan state. I've also studied ancient Greek and Latin with Professor Burke, and took a Latin course at Holy Cross.
Why do you enjoy studying the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean world?
I've been interested in ancient civilizations since I was 12. I don't know what it is actually. I suppose it's the abnormality of it—the way ancient Greece developed is unlike any other area in the world. Although Greece is relatively small and destitute (even today), its culture has shaped much of Western thought and how we perceive things today. From the introduction of the polis to its monumental architecture, Greece is a place that cannot be looked at enough in my opinion.
Why did you decide to study in Greece this semester?
For a couple of reasons. I want to go to graduate school after Clark and studying on-site is a great way to get noticed. Also, I really wanted to see, in person, all the things I was studying. My studies here are very much site-based, in that I go to ancient sites/museums in Athens for lectures instead of a classroom. A couple of my classes are ancient theory and history based and in those we talk about things like whether ancient sources are viable, using the best tool archaeologists have: common sense.
Have you participated in research since coming to Clark?
I have participated and am participating in research in Clark. Since Clark's ancient civilization department is small, I do many directed studies. Freshman and sophomore year I did two directed study classes with Professor Burke, one on the Spartan invincibility myth and the other on atrocities in the Peloponnesian War towards smaller city states. I'm now researching ancient Greek foundation myths for Professor Burke. I'm also putting together a catalogue of Bronze Age Sphinxes under Professor Townsend's direction and with the help of numerous distinguished teachers at College Year in Athens.
What for you is the difference between participating in research versus learning through a more traditional classroom approach?
Participating in research is not only functional but essential to a classical learning experience (or any intellectual experience for that matter). Deciding what YOU want to study and studying it when YOU want to cannot be overlooked. I think that being allowed to prove your own worth in something that you choose is fundamental to the learning experience. Every directed study I have done is just me basically going to an advisor and pitching an idea. If they approve then I start. If not then I still start, but I might go in a different direction. This also is a big help for furthering some kind of career in graduate studies. If you already know how to do comprehensive research and have enough experience to do it well, then you're ahead of the learning curve. So to sum up: more freedom, based on your decisions and fundamental to a learning experience.
What do you want to study in graduate school?
I would love to go to graduate school for archaeology and maybe one day teach iconography or mythology. Hopefully, with recommendations from the wonderful teaching staff at Clark, and with a tiny bit of luck, I'll make it into Boston University for the fall.
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Additional Resources
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In the sacred grove of Leto at Delos, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis
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On the acropolis at Sparta looking out onto the Lakonic Plain
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