Program Overview
Who were the ancient Romans? What were their lives like? What did they care about, and what did they believe? In this institute, you will work to answer these questions and more as you examine the rich culture and literature of the ancient Romans through the lens of “villainy”. You will read historical accounts of ancient Rome and explore the great “villains” of the monarchy, republic, and empire—to name a few: Tarquinius Superbus, Lucius Catiline, Livia Drusilla, Marc Anthony, and Agrippina the Younger. As we make our way through our sources you will learn about the daily life, social structures, governments, economies, and multiple religions of Roman culture. Furthermore, you will come to see how traces of Romans (virtuous and villainous) live on today! After two weeks of interactive activities, creative projects, critical reading, and class discussions, you should leave the course with a greater understanding of three things: Roman culture broadly, the impact that this culture has on our modern world, and what constitutes a “villain” in the Roman mind across the centuries.
If you are looking to build critical thinking and research skills while learning to appreciate the differences and similarities between the ancient and modern world this is program is ideal for you.
Dates
The Ancient Studies Institute is a two-week, residential program offered from June 15-28, 2025.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the Ancient Studies Institute, you should:
- Be a current sophomore or junior in high school (graduating in 2027 or 2026).
We are looking for mature, academically motivated individuals enrolled in challenging curriculum which may include honors, advanced placement, and International Baccalaureate courses, if offered by their high schools. Individuals who are collaborative, intellectually curious, and creative thinkers thrive in our program.
Fees and Scholarships
The 2025 program fee for the Ancient Studies Institute is $3,785 which includes all program activities, housing, and meals. Need-based scholarship assistance is available. Children of WashU employees and returning participants are eligible for a 10% discount. Additional details on fees, need-based scholarships, and discounts are available here.
Grading and Evaluation
Our summer institutes are ideal for individuals who want to experience college-level curriculum without the pressure of a letter grade. Class sizes are small (typically between 15-20 participants) to ensure personalized feedback from instructors. These programs are designed for participants to ask questions, collaborate with peers, and consider new ideas.
Although summer institutes are noncredit, they are rigorous. Participants are evaluated based on attendance and engagement in class activities, completion of assignments, quality of work produced, as well as their ability to adhere to academic integrity standards and program policies. Because summer institutes are noncredit, no transferable credit is earned. At the end of the program, participants will receive a transcript for the course indicating whether requirements were met.
Acceptance and participation in summer institute course work and activities does not imply or guarantee acceptance into a degree program at WashU. For questions about the undergraduate admission process, please contact Undergraduate Admissions.
