Programs

Graduate training in the Department of Classics focuses on interpreting the original Latin and Greek in the light of modern literary criticism and archaeological data. It also makes use of the theories and methodologies of other disciplines that deal with ancient Greece and Rome, namely ancient history, art history, philosophy, and epigraphy. While the study of original texts is central, the program attempts to relate these texts to the present day. The aim is to prepare students to apply their knowledge of the classics to the general humanistic tradition.

The Ph.D. candidate is expected to have a knowledge of all major authors, including work beyond the Greek fourth and fifth centuries b.c. and the Republican and Augustan periods of Rome. While the candidate is expected to research a specific aspect of the classics, he or she also should be acquainted with the interdependence of Greek and Roman culture.

Students may supplement their work with related programs, such as art history, comparative literature, or philosophy. Additionally, the graduate program in classics participates in the Transliteratures program (q.u.).

The M.A. candidate must demonstrate a general knowledge of the principal ancient authors and may write a thesis (equivalent to 6 credits). While the candidate may emphasize either Greek or Latin, he or she must have a knowledge of both languages. The student also is expected to demonstrate a reading knowledge of French, German, or Italian. The M.A. examination tests the candidate's knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages, of course material, and of material on the general reading list. It consists of three hours of translation and three hours of general questions in history, literature, and philosophy. Students may take the M.A. examination after completing 30 credits of graduate work. General reading lists for the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees are available to all graduate students at the department office. Reading lists for special fields and authors can be worked out with the graduate adviser.

The M.A. program in Latin for teachers is designed to assist Latin teachers in secondary schools. Candidates are expected to pass a competency test in ancient Greek, but they may bypass this requirement by demonstrating a reading knowledge of French, German, or Italian. The student is expected to complete a total of 30 credits, of which 24 are graduate credits. The remaining 6 credits are to be taken outside of Latin literature in such areas as ancient history and ancient philosophy. In addition, candidates must complete an expository or critical essay, which normally relates to course work, and they must pass a comprehensive examination based on course work and the reading list of Latin authors.

The Ph.D. candidate is expected to complete at least 48 credits of course work beyond the bachelor's degree and to demonstrate a reading knowledge of German and either French or Italian. Course work includes Greek or Latin composition. This requirement may be waived upon successful completion of equivalent written work. The qualifying examination covers the following four areas, with a three-hour examination in each: (1) a knowledge of the principal Greek and Latin authors as specified on the reading list; (2) a particular Greek or Latin author; (3) a special field, such as a period of ancient literature, a literary genre, ancient philosophy, or a period of Greek or Roman art and archaeology or history; and (4) translation from Latin and Greek. The master of philosophy degree is available to doctoral candidates.

After he or she completes satisfactorily the qualifying examination, the Ph.D. candidate forms a dissertation committee, which must include three professors on the graduate faculty of the Department of Classics and one professor from outside this group. The candidate then submits a dissertation proposal to this committee for approval. The proposal includes a general statement of the project, a list of chapters and of topics to be treated within each chapter, and an annotated bibliographical survey. The candidate must have his or her proposal in an acceptable form within the term that follows the qualifying examination.

An interdisciplinary Ph.D. in art history and classical archaeology may be worked out with advisers from the art history and classics programs. Students in such a program would have to show proficiency in French, German, Greek, and Latin. A concentration in interdisciplinary classical studies and ancient history is available for M.A. and Ph.D. candidates. Applications for this option are expected to possess a background in Greek and Roman history in addition to the other qualifications for admission to the classics program. Specialized M.A. and doctoral reading lists are provided for this concentration, and special field/special author examinations for the Ph.D. are focused on classical history. Doctoral candidates are examined on their knowledge of Greek and Roman history.