MA Classics and Ancient History / Course details

Enrolment in this course unit is subject to the approval of the Programme Director A ‘Directed Reading’ course-unit allows you to explore a particular topic in Classics & Ancient History which is relevant to your wider research interests but is not covered by the regular menu of course-units offered at PGT level.  This is an independent study unit that allows you to ‘audit’ an enhanced version of an advanced (Level 3) course unit at undergraduate level, chosen from a selective menu of available course units. You are expected to attend the lectures of that Level 3 unit. These audited lectures are a significant introductory resource to support your learning; they are then ‘enhanced’ by 6 hours of advanced MA-level seminars taught on a small group basis by the convenor of the L3 unit on which your chosen Directed Reading is based. Assessment consists of an extended research essay on a topic devised by you,in consultation with the course convenor; you do not need to complete any of the assessment set for undergraduates taking the course unit you have chosen.   Capacity on Directed Reading units is limited: if you are interested in taking this option, you should discuss your plans with the Programme Director at the earliest possible opportunity. Enrolment in this course unit is subject to the approval of the Programme Director. NB you are not permitted to associate a Directed Reading with any undergraduate course unit that is not listed on the selective menu offered for Directed Readings. 

• To explore a particular topic in Classics and/or Ancient History independently and in depth.
• To develop skills in independent research, and in writing up the results of that research.
• In particular, to enhance students’ skills in synthesising, and critically engaging with, current scholarship on a particular topic in Classics and/or Ancient History, and their skills in close reading of ancient texts and other evidence.

6 advanced small-group seminars, discussing specialist aspects of the chosen unit’s topic, and offering guidance on developing the student’s research project.  

Attendance (as auditor) at higher-level undergraduate lectures in the chosen Level 3 course unit.

Elearning: Canvas. 

• Detailed knowledge of a particular topic in Classics and/or Ancient History.
• Detailed and critical understanding of the current state of scholarship on that topic, and the ways in which that scholarship might be developed.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of ancient material relevant to that topic, and the issues associated with its interpretation.

• the ability to define a research problem and devise a solution to it
• the ability to organise complex arguments
• the ability to demonstrate advanced analytical skills, to evaluate ancient texts, and to engage critically with secondary scholarship

• independent research skills
• the ability to design and write a lengthy piece of work;
• skills in finding and use a wide range of research materials, including pertinent scholarly works.

• the ability to work independently on an extended project
• development of presentation and discussion skills (including confidence) through face-to-face discussion of difficult topics in class.

This will vary according to the topic chosen.