Classical Studies

If you are captivated by classical literature and philosophy and are keen to understand more about ancient history and classical archaeology, Classical Studies is an ideal degree course for you.

Classical Studies is a flexible degree that offers a great deal of choice in subjects related to the ancient world. It’s ideal for those who want to gain a deep understanding of lots of aspects of ancient Greece and Rome – its literature, history, philosophy and archaeology – even its languages; Greek and Latin can be studied at whatever level you’re at and for one, two or three years.

There is also the possibility of spending a year abroad, experiencing how classical society has had a lasting impact on history, culture and politics.

As a student of Classical Studies 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.

• Optional language modules in Greek or Latin.

• Analyse the cultural, social and political contexts of the ancient world.

• Many joint honours options with other subjects including Drama or English.

• Projects could involve artefact reconstructions.

• Opportunities to study abroad, including Greece or Italy.

Course Modules

Core Modules

Year 1

• Studying Classical Antiquity

Year 2

• All modules are optional

Year 3

• Extended Essay (Dissertation)

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 Please be aware these do change over time, and optional modules may be withdrawn or new ones added.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

• Beginner's Latin

• Intermediate Latin

• Introduction to Greek Literature

• Roman Literature of the Empire

• Introduction to Ancient Philosophy

• Greek History and the City State

• Key Themes in Roman History

• Introduction to Greek Archaeology

• Introduction to Roman Archaeology

• Advanced Greek

• Advanced Latin

Year 2

• Aspects of Modern Greek Language and Culture

• Intensive Latin

• Homer (in Greek)

• Latin Epic (in Latin)

• Homer (In Translation)

• Ovid’s Metamorphoses: Art and Power in Augustan Rome

• Greek History to 322 BC

• Spinning the Past: Greek Historiography from Herodotos to Diodoros

• Augustus: Propaganda and Power

• Historiography of the Roman World

• The Good Life in Ancient Philosophy

• Second Year Projects

• Plato (in Greek)

• From Dig to Digital: Archaeological Theory, Method and Practice

• Advanced Latin

• Advanced Greek

• Roman Drama (in Latin)

• Athenian Law and Social History

• Tacitus and the Making of Empire

• Spinning the Past: Greek Historiography from Herodotos to Diodoros

• Life in the Big City

• Intermediate Greek

• Intermediate Latin

• Empire and its Others - Virgil's Aeneid

• Greek Drama (In Translation)

• The Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic

• Rome and its Empire from Augustus to Commodus

• The Later Roman Empire

• Byzantium and its Neighbours, 641-1081

Year 3

• Further Aspects of Modern Greek Language and Culture

• Augustus

• Alexander the Great

• Understanding Pompeii and Herculaneum

• City of Athens

• Intensive Greek

• Intensive Latin

• Intermediate Greek

• Intermediate Latin

• Advanced Latin

• Advanced Greek

• Tacitus and the Making of Empire

• Athenian Law and Social History

• Encounters with Latin Poetry (in Latin)

• Food in the Ancient World

• Roman Protests and Riots

• Social and Economic History of the Roman Empire

• Thinking Myth: classical myth and its reception

• Of Masks & Voices: Gender and Performance in Ancient Greece

• The Good Life in Ancient Philosophy

• Art, Architecture and Identity in the Hellenistic World

• Christians and Pagans from Constantine to Augustine (AD 306-430)

• History and Fiction

• Contemporary Approaches to Latin Literature

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/classics/classical-studies/

The course has a modular structure, whereby students take 12 course units at the rate of four whole units per year. The second year project unit and the third year dissertation are compulsory but all other course units are elective, thereby offering great flexibility and choice.

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 experiencing problems and/or those who have specific queries.

Assessment takes place by a combination of ongoing language tests, written assignments for non-linguistic course units and end of year exams. Your final year dissertation will also count towards your degree award.