Classics and Philosophy

By combining Classics and Philosophy in equal parts you'll have the opportunity to study ancient Greek and Latin alongside ancient and modern philosophy. With roots of philosophical theory anchored in the ancient world, Philosophy and Classics make an excellent combination of subjects.

Classics is perfect if you have a knowledge and love of either Latin or Greek and want to add that second ancient language to your repertoire, while learning more about the classical world through the study of texts in the original as well as artefacts, ideas and past-deeds.

You will study both Latin and Greek language and literature, reading texts in the original words of the author. The remainder of your time will be spent understanding the minds, hearts and actions of the ancient Romans and Greeks through the study of ancient philosophy, history, classical archaeology as well as Latin and Greek literature in translation.

As a Classicist you will be part of our Classics Department, where the quality of research that informs our teaching and a friendly, individual approach which shapes the way we guide our students combine to create an unbeaten academic experience. A thriving Classics Society contributes to the friendly and sociable atmosphere of our department.

At Royal Holloway we have a unique approach to Philosophy that looks beyond the narrow confines of the Anglo-American analytic or the European tradition of philosophy focus on both traditions, their relationship and connections between them. The result has been the creation of a truly interdisciplinary and collaborative programme that brings together academic staff from departments across the university.

With the opportunity to examine (amongst other things) the mind and consciousness, aesthetics and morals, the self and others, the range of subjects available to Philosophy students at Royal Holloway guarantees that there will be something on offer that really engages you during your time with us.

• Learn Latin and Greek, one of which can be from scratch.

• Study texts in the original language using highly developed linguistic skills.

• Consider ancient cultural, social and political contexts.

• A historical range from ancient to contemporary analytic philosophy.

• Develop critical skills for your career or further study.

Course Modules

Core Modules

Year 1

You must take:

1 Classical Greek language module and

1 Latin language module

in addition to the following:

• Introduction to Modern Philosophy

• Problems of Knowledge

• Introduction to Ancient Philosophy

• Philosophical Methods

Year 2

• All modules are optional

Year 3

• All modules are optional

Optional Modules

Below is a taster of some of the exciting optional modules that students on the course could choose from during this academic year. Please be aware these do change over time, and optional modules may be withdrawn or new ones added.

Year 1

• Beginner’s Greek

• Intermediate Greek

• Greek Language and Reading

• Beginner's Latin

• Intermediate Latin

• Latin Language and Reading

• Introduction to Logic

• Mind and Consciousness

• Introduction to Aesthetics and Morals

Year 2

• Intermediate Greek

• Intensive Greek

• Aspects of Modern Greek Language and Culture

• Intermediate Latin

• Intensive Latin

• Latin Language and Reading

• Introduction to European Philosophy 1: Kant to Hegel

• Mind and World

• Introduction to European Philosophy 2: The Critique of Idealism

• Philosophy and the Arts

• Varieties of Scepticism

• The Varieties of Scepticism

• The Philosophy of Religion

• Philosophy of Religon

• Philosophy and Literature

• The Good Life in Ancient Philosophy

• Contemporary Political Theory

• Modern Political Thought

Year 3

• Greek Language and Reading

• Latin Language and Reading

• Hellenistic Epic: Apollonius of Rhodes

• Imperial Greek Poetry: Epic & Epigram

• Homer (in Greek)

• The Tragedy of Euripides

• Greek Dramatic Texts II (Comedy)

• Herodotus

• Plato (in Greek)

• Imperial Greek Literature

• Greek Historiography (in Greek)

• Greek Erotic Poetry in Greek

• Horace

• Lucretius and Virgil

• Roman Satire

• Latin Epic (in Latin)

• Latin Historiography

• Catullus and Horace

• Latin Letters (in Latin)

• Philosophy Dissertation

• Modern European Philosophy 1: Husserl to Heidegger

• Modern European Philosophy 2: Critical Theory and Hermeneutics

• Philosophy and the Arts

• The Varieties of Scepticism

• The Philosophy of Religion

• Philosophy of Religon

• Philosophy and Literature

• The Good Life in Ancient Philosophy

• Radical Political Theory I: Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche

• The Politics of Toleration

• Social Justice: From Theory to Practice

• Theories of Freedom and Democracy

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/classics/classics-and-philosophy/

The course has a modular structure, whereby students take 12 course units at the rate of four units per year. The second year project unit and the third year dissertation are compulsory but all other the end of each year. Your final year dissertation will also count towards your degree award.

You will be taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars and individual tutorials, depending on the subjects studied. Outside classes, you will undertake group projects and wide-ranging but guided independent study, including completing language exercises and reading prescribed and open material. Private study and preparation are essential parts of every course, and you will have access to many online resources and the University’s comprehensive e-learning facility, Moodle. When you start with us, you are assigned a Personal Tutor to support you academically and personally.

In your final year the Classics department provides ongoing support for your dissertation work, which usually includes:

• Lectures and practical sessions on Dissertation Research Methods e.g. planning your topics, carrying out research, using specialist resources, finding information in print and online, and managing your search results and references. These sessions are run in conjunction with the Library Service and are generally also open to second year students.

• Short departmental writing ‘surgeries’, in which academic staff offer general writing support if you are experiencing problems and/or if you have specific queries.

Most modules contain an element of assessed coursework, such as an essay, presentation and/or assessed seminar participation marks, which contributes to the final examination mark awarded. The results of the first year exams qualify you to progress to the second year but do not contribute to your final degree award. The second and final year results do contribute to the final degree result, with the final year work counting double that of the second year. In addition, you will take a study skills course during your first year, designed to equip you with and enhance the writing skills you will need to be successful in your degree. This course does not count towards your final degree award but you are required to pass it to progress to your second year.