My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that experiential learning is essential for a deep and lasting understanding of the ancient world. I aim to create an engaging, hands-on classroom environment where students not only learn about the material culture of the past but also experience it firsthand. By incorporating interactive and immersive activities, I seek to make ancient art and archaeology come to life, helping students develop both critical thinking and practical skills that they can apply in their academic and professional careers.
One key aspect of my teaching is the integration of physical artifacts and real-world experiences. To help students better understand the material record discussed in lectures, I bring sample artifacts into the classroom whenever possible. This allows students to gain instruction in best practices for object handling, learn how to examine artifacts in person, and engage with ancient materials on a sensory level. For example, in a course on Greek pottery, students investigate fragments of ancient vases, learning to differentiate between wheel-made and hand-thrown pottery, identifying the specific parts of the vessel the fragments correspond to, and analyzing surface decoration techniques. These hands-on activities enable students to engage in the same methods used by archaeologists to interpret ancient objects.
In addition to classroom activities, I believe that trips to local museums offer invaluable opportunities for students to engage directly with the objects they study. By interacting with real art objects in person, students form a more personal connection to the material culture of the ancient Mediterranean. These museum visits leave a stronger, more lasting impression than viewing images on a screen, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation of the artworks and artifacts.
In addition to classroom activities, I believe that trips to local museums offer invaluable opportunities for students to engage directly with the objects they study. By interacting with real art objects in person, students form a more personal connection to the material culture of the ancient Mediterranean. These museum visits leave a stronger, more lasting impression than viewing images on a screen, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation of the artworks and artifacts.
Another hallmark of my teaching is the emphasis on critical, reflective engagement with complex issues surrounding the interpretation of ancient art and the ethical questions that arise in the study of cultural heritage. One example is an in-class debate on the Parthenon Marbles, where students are divided into teams to argue whether the sculptures should remain in the British Museum or be returned to Athens. This assignment challenges students to consider the broader implications of repatriation, cultural identity, and the politics of museum collections, while also honing their research, public speaking, and argumentation skills.
I also design assignments that encourage students to engage with ancient artworks and archaeological sites in creative and meaningful ways. For example, I ask students to propose exhibitions, developing a theme, selecting objects, and crafting object labels and wall texts to guide visitors through the display. This assignment allows students to think critically about curatorial practices, the role of exhibition design in shaping narratives, and how to foster a dialogue between objects and audiences. Similarly, I use assignments like critical response essays to encourage students to explore broader debates within Classical Art and Archaeology. One such essay invites students to investigate the role of damnatio memoriae in ancient Rome and apply it to contemporary debates about civil war monuments in the United States.
Beyond traditional academic writing, I also use assignments such as blog posts and podcast scripts/recordings to allow students to delve deeper into a specific artwork, artifact, or archaeological site, while finding ways to relate these ancient objects to modern issues. For instance, students have made connections between Roman aqueduct systems and modern water resource management in the Middle East, compared Dionysiac cult practices to contemporary fandoms like K-pop, and analyzed depictions of sexuality on Greek vases in relation to modern feminist movements. These assignments encourage students to find creative ways to connect the ancient world to the present, while giving them the freedom to explore topics that resonate with their personal interests.
Through these varied assignments and learning experiences, I aim to cultivate a classroom atmosphere where students feel empowered to explore the ancient Mediterranean world in ways that are intellectually stimulating, personally meaningful, and relevant to their lives today. By blending hands-on activities, critical inquiry, and creative expression, I strive to help students build a deeper understanding of both the past and their place in the world.
Course Feedback
"Professor Bailey Benson's enthusiasm and incredible base of knowledge allowed for thoughtful consideration of the archeological record and its implications. Additionally, her vast experience in the field and personal observations of sites and artifacts is invaluable in enriching the course content." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Summer 2024
"You can tell how knowledgeable and passionate Professor is about archaeology. It makes the class all the more enjoyable. I have truly never had such a passionate teacher in the Arts and Sciences. She takes the time to answer every question and go off on tangents." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Summer 2024
"Professor Bailey Benson's enthusiasm and incredible base of knowledge allowed for thoughtful consideration of the archeological record and its implications. Additionally, her vast experience in the field and personal observations of sites and artifacts is invaluable in enriching the course content." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Summer 2024
"You can tell how knowledgeable and passionate Professor is about archaeology. It makes the class all the more enjoyable. I have truly never had such a passionate teacher in the Arts and Sciences. She takes the time to answer every question and go off on tangents." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Summer 2024
"Reading and writing assignments added a lot of context and value to the content instead of piling more on or being repetitive of lecture. Assignments are critical instead of requiring memorization. Professor did a great job of running through an immense amount of content while keeping students engaged." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Summer 2024
"[Q: What skills or knowledge did you learn or improve in this course?] Most of all my understanding of portraiture and art, I feel like my eyes have been opened to something I knew so little about and I have context for history that I never had. It is very fun to look at things today and understand the roots from what I learned in this class." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Summer 2024
"Bailey rocks!! You can really tell how passionate and knowledgeable she is. Most of the students were in the class for a hub unit, but she made it super interesting and engaging. I learned so much, and the workload was the right amount. I enjoyed writing the papers, and I especially liked how she related the older content to modern issues." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"Overall, I feel that Professor Benson created a welcoming environment in which learning was made fun and easy. The coursework was always relevant, and genuinely interesting to complete, and I feel that I learned something new with every class and through completing the assignments." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"I took this class for hub credit & wasn't particularly excited about having to take a class involving history and writing, but I am ultimately glad I took it! I learned a lot about archaeology & was pleasantly surprised by the content taught. I have seen structures around Boston and will spontaneously point out Greek and Roman features of these monuments." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"I wasn’t sure what to expect from this course going into it, and I ended up loving it. It was by far my favorite course of the semester and was so well organized and executed. Prof. Benson is one of the best lecturers I’ve had at BU, knows all her information extremely well, presents it in a fun, energetic, and engaging manner, and always leaves time and space for questions and discussion. She is very accessible out of class and willing to help us workshop ideas, find sources, craft citations, etc. She really helped foster an interest in Classics and classical archaeology, and I would love to peruse it further if I can." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"I genuinely enjoyed this class and learning from Professor Benson. She obviously cares for her students well–being, both inside and outside of the course, and is always there to provide support to her students." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"Initially, I didn’t realize just how much the ancient world affects the modern era until I took this course." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"The feedback and help provided for assignments was incredibly valuable. I not only learned about the course matter, but Professor Benson helped me to form a better understanding of writing research papers as well." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"[Q: What were the most valuable aspects of the course?] A: the essays, because they forced us to connect what we learn to today's world, and that was cool." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"I think being able to write critically is what I picked up most from this course. Being able to think creatively and make an argument about something we learned in class." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"Overall, I feel that Professor Benson created a welcoming environment in which learning was made fun and easy. The coursework was always relevant, and genuinely interesting to complete, and I feel that I learned something new with every class and through completing the assignments." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"I took this class for hub credit & wasn't particularly excited about having to take a class involving history and writing, but I am ultimately glad I took it! I learned a lot about archaeology & was pleasantly surprised by the content taught. I have seen structures around Boston and will spontaneously point out Greek and Roman features of these monuments." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"I wasn’t sure what to expect from this course going into it, and I ended up loving it. It was by far my favorite course of the semester and was so well organized and executed. Prof. Benson is one of the best lecturers I’ve had at BU, knows all her information extremely well, presents it in a fun, energetic, and engaging manner, and always leaves time and space for questions and discussion. She is very accessible out of class and willing to help us workshop ideas, find sources, craft citations, etc. She really helped foster an interest in Classics and classical archaeology, and I would love to peruse it further if I can." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"I genuinely enjoyed this class and learning from Professor Benson. She obviously cares for her students well–being, both inside and outside of the course, and is always there to provide support to her students." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"Initially, I didn’t realize just how much the ancient world affects the modern era until I took this course." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"The feedback and help provided for assignments was incredibly valuable. I not only learned about the course matter, but Professor Benson helped me to form a better understanding of writing research papers as well." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"[Q: What were the most valuable aspects of the course?] A: the essays, because they forced us to connect what we learn to today's world, and that was cool." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"I think being able to write critically is what I picked up most from this course. Being able to think creatively and make an argument about something we learned in class." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Fall 2023
"Great insight into Greek and Roman history, architecture, and art. Anyone interested in that field will thoroughly enjoy this class." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Summer 2023
"She knows everything by heart and it's a lot more fun to listen and pay attention. She engages the students in fun class activities at very well–timed sections in a 3–hour class to maintain engagement. Very kind and approachable." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Summer 2023
"Bailey was a great instructor, she was very engaging, always available, and gave helpful feedback on assignments." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Summer 2023
"She knows everything by heart and it's a lot more fun to listen and pay attention. She engages the students in fun class activities at very well–timed sections in a 3–hour class to maintain engagement. Very kind and approachable." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Summer 2023
"Bailey was a great instructor, she was very engaging, always available, and gave helpful feedback on assignments." - Greek and Roman Archaeology, Summer 2023
"She is clearly very knowledgeable in her field and enthusiastic about the content she teaches. She leaves opportunities to answer questions and is clear in her responses." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Summer 2023
"She leads the class well and has a lot of passion for related topics. Since the artworks change in order of the times, she explained the flow of the times using history and maps, and she also told me her experiences, making students want to know more about this topic." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Summer 2023
"Instructor was a very good match for the course, knew the material very well but was not afraid to say what she didn’t know. The outlines were very clear and helpful. Helpful study techniques shown. Very good lecturer." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Summer 2023
"She leads the class well and has a lot of passion for related topics. Since the artworks change in order of the times, she explained the flow of the times using history and maps, and she also told me her experiences, making students want to know more about this topic." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Summer 2023
"Instructor was a very good match for the course, knew the material very well but was not afraid to say what she didn’t know. The outlines were very clear and helpful. Helpful study techniques shown. Very good lecturer." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Summer 2023
"adjusted well to online, breaks up class well." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Summer 2020
"This course was very engaging and was run properly to allow each student to contribute with discussions and group work." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Summer 2020
"This course was very engaging and was run properly to allow each student to contribute with discussions and group work." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Summer 2020
"I had an amazing time in this course and Ms. Benson is such a wonderful instructor. I learned a lot and I now have even more interest in art history. Her exams were fair and I really enjoyed the museum visits!" - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Summer 2019
"Enthusiastic and knows what she's talking about. Great presenter, makes class interesting always." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Summer 2019
"Enthusiastic and knows what she's talking about. Great presenter, makes class interesting always." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Summer 2019
"Bailey is an absolutely amazing discussion leader. She effectively explains concepts and is always willing to make time to help students understand the course material. Her communication and email response is also very quick and helpful. Honestly, she is the major reason that I’m doing so well in this course." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Fall 2019
"Very engaging with the students. Kept the classroom dynamic and interesting and welcoming to the students to participate." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Fall 2019
"Very engaging with the students. Kept the classroom dynamic and interesting and welcoming to the students to participate." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Fall 2019
"very obviously passionate about art history, available outside of class, hands back papers the next week, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, good at dumbing things down for us, friendly and approachable, gives us a lot of information that we didn't get in lecture, very thorough discussion lessons." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Fall 2018
"She was always really funny and great at engaging with the students. She is by far my favorite TA I've had at Boston University." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Fall 2018
"She was always really funny and great at engaging with the students. She is by far my favorite TA I've had at Boston University." - Pyramids to Cathedrals, Fall 2018
