Students

Clubs and Honor Societies

SANE (Students of the Ancient Near East) is the club that our students join. SANE hosts social activities and an academic student symposium every year. The SANE Symposium, which takes place in winter semester, features papers from Ancient Near Eastern Studies students, although students from any discipline are welcome to submit abstracts. Students have the chance to present their original research to an audience of interested and supportive peers and faculty. The symposium concludes with a faculty keynote speaker. See the clubs page.

Experiential Learning

Ancient Near Eastern Studies majors have a variety of Experiential Learning opportunities that they may pursue. Majors are encouraged to apply for experiential learning grants to help cover the costs of whichever specific activity they are participating in. (Experiential Learning Application)

Experiential Learning Opportunities include:

• Jerusalem Center: Many of our students choose to participate in a semester at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. This is BYU’s home base for study in the Holy Land and offers a remarkable opportunity for Ancient Near Easter Studies students to visit and experience the sites and artifacts that are central to the major program. You can get more information on the BYU Jerusalem Center here: https://jerusalemcenter.ce.byu.edu/program-information
• Archaeological Field Schools: For students interested in archaeology, there are a number of possibilities for participation in an archaeological field school. Any one of these experiences will help students to gain important knowledge and skills, such as learning the history of the ancient Near East from the material culture, learning archaeological techniques and their application, gaining active experience on an archaeological excavation, etc. 
  
  • Huqoq: There is an archaeological field school conducted annually at Huqoq, Israel. Participating students spend several weeks excavating at Huqoq and then spend some days housed at the BYU Jerusalem Center, where they experience Jerusalem. Dr. Matthew Grey (Ancient Scripture) is the contact person for this field school: matthew_grey@byu.edu
  • Ataruz: There is an archaeological field school conducted annually at Ataruz, Jordan. Dr. Aaron Schade (Ancient Scripture) is the contact person for this field school: aaron_shcade@byu.edu
  • Petra: There is an archaeological field school conducted annually at Petra, Jordan. Dr. Cynthia Finlayson (Anthropology) is the contact person for this field school: calderfin@byu.onmicrosoft.com
  • As other archaeological opportunities present themselves, they will be added to our website.
• Study Abroad—“Babylon to Berlin”: For students who are interested in encountering and learning about artifacts and material culture of the ancient world as they are represented in the museums of Europe, the “Babylon to Berlin” study abroad was created to give students the opportunity to visit a wide variety of European sites and museums where such objects have been collected and are displayed. This study abroad is offered every 2 to 3 years. To see if it is currently being offered, see the Find Your Program page. This program will be announced to all ANES students whenever it is being offered.

If finances or life circumstances make it impossible to leave Provo, you can still have an outstanding internship experience through local providers. Visit the Internships page for more information.

Career Opportunities

The ANES major prepares students to pursue graduate work and an academic career in all areas of biblical and ancient Near Eastern studies. Additionally, an Ancient Near Eastern Studies major offers relevant preparation for students interested in library science or Seminary and Institute in the Church Education System. Ancient Near Eastern Studies, with its emphasis on critical reading, thinking, and writing skills, also provides quality training for students entering “professional” programs.