Classics (MA)

The Department of Classics currently offers the master of arts (MA) in classics with a focus on ancient languages and literatures. Students may focus their coursework on Greek, Latin, or Greek and Latin. In addition, the department offers a master of arts degree with a focus on classical archaeology and material culture.

Programs of study are arranged in consultation with two advisors, at least one of whom is a member of the Department of Classics, and comprise graduate courses selected from Anthropology (subject code ANTH), art history (ARH), Classics (CLAS), English (ENG), Latin (LAT), Greek (GRK), History (HIST), Philosophy (PHIL), and Religious Studies (REL).

Program's Admission Requirements

Please visit the program's website.

Students earning a MA in Classics will be expected to demonstrate the following learning outcomes with proportionate emphasis given to the outcomes focused on the particular content area of the chosen concentration in Classics (Language and Literature; Classical Archaeology and Material Culture):

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Advanced proficiency in Latin and/or Greek, including competencies in reading and translating, and a socio-linguistic understanding of the language(s).
  • Advanced understanding of the archaeology and material culture of Ancient Greek and Roman civilizations; the development of practical and analytical skills that allow students to critically interpret disparate bodies of material evidence, as well as to recognize and construct well-reasoned interpretations of ancient material culture.
  • Advanced understanding of literature, art, and other artifacts from the cultures of the Greco-Roman world, and the capacity to situate them in their sociohistorical context, to identify, interpret, and discuss them, and to describe their later influence.
  • Proficiency in a modern European language, which is a major carrier of secondary literature and research, usually French or German.
  • Ability to write research papers, requiring advanced knowledge of a range of bibliographic resources.

 

Master of Arts in Classics: Classical Archaeology and Material Culture

Graduate Courses
CLAS 611Introduction to Philological Methods4
600-699 level courses taken in residence 19
CLAS 507Seminar: [Topic] (Topics in archaeology and material culture)8
500-level art history course 24
500-level anthropology course 34
GRK 511Authors: [Topic] (Two courses in Greek or Latin authors)8
or LAT 511 Authors: [Topic]
Additional graduate courses8
Select one of the following: 49
GRK 503
Thesis
LAT 503
Thesis
CLAS 503
Thesis
Total Credits45
1

In addition to the mandatory Classics 611, these may be chosen from Seminar: [Topic] (CLAS 607), Terminal Project (CLAS 609), Archaeology and Anthropology (ANTH 681), Professional Writing (ANTH 685), Social Theory II (ANTH 689), Graduate Studies in Art History (ARH 611), Historical Methods and Writings (HIST 612)

2

Choose from Seminar: [Topic] (ARH 507) (when on relevant topics), Experimental Course: [Topic] (ARH 510), Ancient Mediterranean Art: [Topic] (ARH 521). 

3

Choose from Practical Archaeobotany (ANTH 546), Gender and Archaeology (ANTH 548), Zooarchaeology: [Topic] (ANTH 571). Students are encouraged to take multiple classes from the anthropology department since classical archaeology, as a discipline, is now steeped in interdisciplinary work with anthropology.

4

Satisfactory completion of the thesis includes an oral defense.

Master of Arts in Classics: Languages and Literatures

Graduate Courses
CLAS 507Seminar: [Topic] (or seminar in art history, history, Greek, or Latin)4
CLAS 507Seminar: [Topic] (topics in archaeology and material culture)4
CLAS 611Introduction to Philological Methods4
600-level courses in residence9
Additional graduate courses30
Option 1
Select one of the following: 29
GRK 503
Thesis
LAT 503
Thesis
CLAS 503
Thesis
Option 2
Two-part comprehensive examination: translation and essay 3
Total Credits51
1

Equivalent courses taken as an undergraduate may fulfill this requirement.

2

The credits may be counted toward the 45-credit minimum.  Satisfactory completion of the thesis includes an oral defense.

3

The candidate must, in consultation with his or her advisors, define a reading list for the translation part of the examination.

Additional Requirements

  • Complete the general MA requirements stipulated by the Division of Graduate Studies
  • Pass with a grade of mid-B or better five courses in Greek and/or Latin authors
  • Pass a translation examination in one modern language, usually French or German. This requirement may be fulfilled with a standardized examination offered by the university or by the successful translation of a significant scholarly text

Additional information may be obtained from the classics department and is included with the letter of admission.