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Classical Studies: Prospective Students

Why Classical Studies

The civilizations of Greece and Rome continue to fascinate the modern mind. They are both remote in time, and yet still close to us. This is partly because we owe to the classical world so many of the values and ideas which shape our society, literature and art, partly because many of the important moral and political issues which continue to exercise twenty-first century man were first formulated in the ancient world. In exploring the ancients we learn something about ourselves as well. Over a third of all students in the Arts Faculty at St Andrews take one or more of the classical subjects - a recognition of the value of studying the classical world.

Classical Studies at St Andrews

Though the degree in Classical Studies is relatively new, it is built upon a long tradition. Classics has been taught at St Andrews since the foundation of the University in the fifteenth century, and the Classics departments enjoy a high reputation, not only in Britain but throughout the world. Because texts are studied in translation for Classical Studies, a greater amount of material can be covered, so that the degree is one of remarkable range and depth. Specialists in Greek, Latin and Ancient History work closely together to provide a course which combines the study of history and literature, Greece and Rome, art and thought. There is no compulsory linguistic element to the course although you do have the option to try some ancient Greek or Latin at beginners level.

The subject may be studied at First and Second Arts levels as part of a General degree or as background preparation for Honours work in another subject; at Honours level Classical Studies is available as a Single Honours degree or as part of a Joint Honours degree with Art History, Biblical Studies, English, Film Studies, French, Greek, International Relations, Italian, Latin, Mathematics, Mediaeval or Modern History, Middle East Studies, New Testament, Philosophy, Scottish History, Social Anthropology, and Theological Studies.

To reflect the popularity of Classical Studies at undergraduate level, opportunities for graduate study have been developed to permit students to pursue their interests in greater depth. There is a taught graduate course, which can be undertaken by itself for the award of a diploma or in conjunction with a research dissertation for a Masters degree, or graduates may embark directly on a full-scale dissertation for a Doctorate. Graduates will be able to benefit from St Andrews' expertise in language teaching, if this is required for their research.

Qualifying for Honours in Classical Studies

Because Classical Studies cover a wide range of historical periods, from Bronze Age to Byzantine, and many facets of the Classical world, including the literature, history, art, archaeology, philosophy, politics, religion, ethics and (optionally) the languages of Greece and Rome, the student wishing to qualify for entry to the Honours course is not compelled to follow a set pattern of study during the first two years. Rather, Honours entry demands a broad experience of matters Classical, while allowing the student to concentrate most on those areas which he or she finds most interesting.

Entry to the Single Honours and Joint Honours degrees in Classical Studies is very flexible. The commonest route is to take all four first-year and second-year level modules in Classical Studies, but other options are possible: you must take at least four modules in the classical subjects (Ancient History, Classical Studies, Greek and Latin), at least two of which are at second-year level, and you must include either both first-year level Classical Studies modules, or both second-year level modules; this ensures some acquaintance with both Greece and Rome.

Normally a student intending Honours in Classical Studies will take two or more modules in Classical Studies and/or Ancient History in his or her first year; but those wishing to start or continue a classical language can do so in their first year, enter Classical Studies or Ancient History in their second or third semester and still proceed to Honours. It is also possible for a student who has taken totally non-classical subjects in his or her first year to convert to Classical Studies in the second year, and enter Honours in the third year.

Courses

Sub-Honours Courses
(Note: All courses carry 20 credits)

  Semester 1 Semester 2
Year 1

CL1004 Myth and Community in Ancient Greek Literature and Culture

This module explores some of the most dynamic literary and artistic achievements of archaic and classical Greek culture. Using a twin focus on myth and on ideas of community, the module ranges across Homeric epic, Athenian tragedy, Aristophanic comedy, and the writings of intellectuals; it studies the relationship between texts and images in the expression of cultural values; and it examines a series of major themes in Greek views of identity, morality, politics and religion.

CL1005 Images of Augustan Rome

This module studies a range of literary works that were written during the lifetime of the first emperor, Augustus, and that react in different ways to the new regime that he established. A central theme of the module is the development of the architecture and public art of the city of Rome during this period, and the different ways in which the city features in the literature of the time.

Year 2

CL2004 Culture and Thought in the Late Roman Republic

This course addresses the intellectual life of Rome through a range of artistic and literary sources, including the poems of Catullus on myth, sex and politics, and the great poem by Lucretius on atomic physics and what it means for you.

CL2003 Genres and Traditions in Greek Poetry

This course aims to give an understanding of the other great genres of Greek poetry (excluding Homer and drama), ranging from the Archaic lyric poetry of Sappho, Alcaeus, et al. down to Hellenistic pastoral. Particular attention is given to the tension between individual inventiveness and the creative use of tradition.

The two modules at 1000 level, "Myth and Community in Ancient Greek Literature and Culture" and "Images of Augustan Rome", assume no previous knowledge of the ancient world; all students are eligible to take one or both of them. Teaching is done in tutorial groups and lectures.

At 2000 level there is one Greek module and one Roman module (Genres and Traditions in Greek Poetry, and Culture and Thought in the Late Roman Republic). They may be taken either singly or in series. The aim is to broaden students' knowledge of ancient literature through the study of prescribed texts, particularly poetry and history, and to introduce them to the philosophical heritage of the ancient world.

Honours (see Honours Booklet for more details)

All modules are worth 30 credits unless specified.

Some Modules on offer (2007-08):

At Honours level Classical Studies may be taken either on its own (Single Honours) or with another subject (Joint Honours). The modules available include modules based on literary genres, studied in both their Greek and Roman forms, modules in which the literature and history of a period are studied side by side, modules which investigate aspects of the ancient world (such as science, gender or religion) and modules based on important aspects of ancient history and archaeology. There is a dissertation option, and students may begin the study of a classical language, though this is not compulsory and not required for any of the modules on offer.

The teaching is done in tutorials, seminars, and lectures, some of them held jointly with students of Greek, Latin and Ancient History.

What the Students Say

"The Classics staff are very friendly and always accessible to students."

"The lectures are generally well delivered, and unlike many subjects the reading is a pleasure."

"All in all, if you are interested in gaining a good grounding in ancient thought and society, this course is extremely useful."