MA (Diploma /Certificate) in Classical Language and Literature

The MA Classical Language and Literature is one of four degrees at postgraduate level offered by the School of Classics that contain a substantial language element and students can focus on either Latin or Greek or cover both classical languages.

Although linguistic experience is not a prerequisite for this programme, students are not able to start both Latin and Greek at Beginners level in the same academic year.

Language modules taken at the Summer Workshop in Greek and Latin can be integrated into this Masters programme. In addition to the linguistic elements of this degree, students also study literature. Modules cover a range of options, from Epic to Historiography and the Ancient Novel. In their MA dissertations students are expected to  retain a focus on the language and literature of the ancient world.

The MA Classical Language and Literature aims to provide a self-contained year of structured and challenging study for those that wish to pursue their interests in Greek and/or Latin language and literature. The programme also provides a broad foundation for postgraduate work in  general, by laying particular stress on the methodologies and research tools needed for independent advanced study.

The Masters programme thus also acts as training for students who intend to undertake an
MPhil or PhD.

Aims and Objectives

The general aims of this degree scheme are:

1. To provide a self-contained year of structured and challenging study for those that wish to pursue their interests in Greek and/or Latin language and literature.
2. To provide a broad foundation for postgraduate work in general, by laying particular stress on the methodologies and research tools needed for independent advanced study. The MA thus also acts as training for students who intend to undertake an MPhil or PhD.
3. To provide a professional qualification in Greek and/or Latin.

The specific objectives of this degree scheme are:

1. To develop students’ ability to understand and translate Latin and/or Greek language.
2. To extend students’ knowledge of Greek and/or Latin literature through the reading of texts, in both the original and in translation.
3. To develop skills of literary criticism and an awareness of the author’s skill and art.
4. To enhance students’ appreciation of the great richness and variety of the literary heritage of the Greek and/or Roman world.
5. To enhance students’ knowledge of Greek and/or Roman civilisation.
6. To introduce and develop students’ understanding of the variety of approaches taken by modern scholars to the study of literature.
7. To recognise and evaluate critically the range of methodologies used by such scholars.

Key features

• Provides a professional qualification in Greek and/or Latin.
• Develops students’ ability to understand and translate Latin and/or Greek language.
• Extends students’ knowledge of Greek and/or Latin literature through the reading of texts, in both the original and in translation.
• Develops skills of literary criticism and an awareness of the author’s skill and art.
• Enhances students’ appreciation of the great richness and variety of the literary heritage of the Greek and/or Roman world.
• Enhances students’ knowledge of Greek and/or Roman civilisation.
• Introduces and develops students’ understanding of the variety of approaches taken by modern scholars to the study of literature.

Further information

Dr James Richardson
j.richardson@tsd.ac.uk

School of Classics