Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature

You will undertake three modular options. One is normally a 10,000-word dissertation. A second develops a particular skill, such as papyrology, palaeography, metre or textual criticism, or (for those who need to work on a second classical language) Elementary or Intermediate Greek or Latin; the Reception or Theoretical Approaches to Classical Literature modules may also be taken under this heading. A third is usually a text-based subject such as Greek tragedy, historiography, Cicero and Ovid. or a topic proposed by you (subject to approval by the Graduate Studies Committee). The scheduling of the options depends on the choices you make, but typically you will work on your dissertation throughout the year and study the other two options roughly sequentially.

• DPhil in Classical Languages and Literature
• MPhil in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature
• DPhil in Ancient History
• MSt in Greek and/or Roman History
• MPhil in Greek and/or Roman History
• MSt in Classical Archaeology
• MPhil in Classical Archaeology
• MSt in Ancient Philosophy
• MSt in Women's Studies

There is the possibility to specialise in reception across the course, by choosing the Reception module option and by working on reception topics in the text option (though you will still sit a translation exam, as detailed below).

All students attend a class on research techniques in Classical literature, extending over two terms: this includes units on various aspects of Classical scholarship as well as on research resources. In the second term considerable attention is paid to presentational skills, as the students deliver papers of their own to the group.

Assessment for text options is by two essays of 5,000 words (submitted either in Hilary or Trinity term, depending on your choices) and a translation exam (in Trinity). Skills-based options are assessed either by exam or by pre-submitted work, or by a combination of the two. The dissertation is submitted in Trinity term.