Classics (MA)

Location(s): Main Campus

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Master of Arts in Classics

Program Website: Classics

Field(s) of Specialization

Critical Ancient Studies
Art and Archaeology
Text and Culture

Faculty and Administration

For a listing of program faculty and administrative contacts, please visit the program directory.

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Classics emphasizes a holistic approach to the Greek and Roman worlds and encourages all students to study languages, literature, history, and material culture. Students continue their study of Greek and Latin in order to ensure that they can access the wealth of literary and documentary sources that have survived and continue to surface. The program also assigns prominence to historical context and material culture, especially promoting active archaeological research and travel to the Mediterranean. The program is structured on the principle that these diverse approaches inform one another and produce a cross-disciplinary, well rounded and thus broader understanding of the world and legacy of the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Facilities

Cypriote Museum (170+ objects, Chalcolithic through Mediaeval, mostly Geometric-Archaic ceramics); Archaeology Lab; Departmental Library and Workroom.

Institutional Memberships: American School of Classical Studies in Athens; Archaeological Institute of America; Canadian Institute in Greece; Classical Association of Canada; Classical Association of the Middle, West and South; Ontario Classical Association; Society for Classical Studies.

Associated Archaeological Field Projects: Gournia Archaeological Project (Crete); Khavania Archaeological Project (Crete); Marzamemi Maritime Heritage Project (Italy); Pantelleria Excavation Project at Lago di Venere (Italy).

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a BA Honours, or equivalent degree, in Classics or related discipline, with a minimum overall average of B and a minimum major average of 75%. Applicants to the Critical Ancient Studies program and to the Text and Culture specialization will normally have balanced strength in Greek and Latin or substantial experience in one of the ancient languages. There are no formal ancient language requirements for admission to the Art and Archaeology specialization, but students are encouraged to align their study of ancient languages with their academic interests.

Applicants required to demonstrate English language proficiency must meet the standard minimum requirements established for graduate-level study.

The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of suitable candidates.

Individuals interested in part-time study should consult with the Graduate Program Director.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 4.5

The MA Classics program offers two schemes: a major research paper (normally completed in five terms) and a thesis (normally completed in six terms). Acceptance into the thesis stream requires explicit departmental agreement that the candidate is prepared to pursue advanced scholarly research, and the preparation of an acceptable thesis proposal.

Each student must also pass a reading exam in a modern language, normally French, German, or Italian. Students may instead choose to fulfil this requirement by successfully completing with a grade of 75% or higher a full-year introductory credit in the chosen modern language. This requirement should normally be completed by the end of the first year.

Please note that the CLAS 5N00 internship does not count towards MA Classics degree requirements. Students may participate in overseas projects not run by the Department of Classics and Archaeology but must obtain permission from the Graduate Program Director in consultation with their Supervisor.

For a full list of graduate course offerings by subject area, please refer to the Courses tab in the navigation menu.

Major Research Paper

Students pursuing the major research paper (MRP) option are required to complete a satisfactory research paper on an approved topic written in the second year of study under the guidance of a supervisor.

Completion of the following is required:

For the remaining specialization requirements outlined below, one 0.5 credit numbered CLAS, GREE, or LATI at the 4(alpha)00 level or above may be counted towards the fulfillment of the degree requirements.

Critical Ancient Studies

In addition to the MRP and pro-seminar, students in Critical Ancient Studies must also complete:

Two half-credit courses numbered GREE or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above
Five additional half-credit courses numbered CLAS, GREE, or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above (only one half-credit course numbered CLAS 5P81 through CLAS 5P89 or CLAS 5V80-5V89 may be counted)

Art and Archaeology Specialization

In addition to the MRP and pro-seminar, students in the Art and Archaeology specialization must also complete:

Three half-credit courses numbered CLAS 5P80 , CLAS 5V10-5V29 or CLAS 5V30-5V49
Four additional half-credit courses numbered CLAS, GREE, or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above (only one half-credit course numbered CLAS 5P81 through CLAS 5P89 or CLAS 5V80-5V89 may be counted)

Text and Culture Specialization

In addition to the MRP and pro-seminar, students in the Text and Culture specialization must also complete:

Three half-credit courses numbered GREE or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above
Two half-credit courses numbered CLAS 5P80 , CLAS 5V50-5V69 or CLAS 5V70-5V79
Two additional half-credit courses numbered CLAS, GREE, or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above (only one half-credit course numbered CLAS 5P81 through CLAS 5P89 or CLAS 5V80-5V89 may be counted)

Thesis

Students pursuing the thesis option are required to complete a satisfactory thesis written in the second year of study under the guidance of a Supervisor and Supervisory Committee and an oral examination to defend the thesis.

Completion of the following is required:

Critical Ancient Studies

In addition to the thesis and pro-seminar, students in Critical Ancient Studies must also complete:

Two half-credit courses numbered GREE or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above
Four additional half-credit courses numbered CLAS, GREE, or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above (only one half-credit course numbered CLAS 5P81 through CLAS 5P89 or CLAS 5V80-5V89 may be counted)

Art and Archaeology Specialization

In addition to the thesis and pro-seminar, students in the Art and Archaeology specialization must also complete:

Three half-credit courses numbered CLAS 5P80 , CLAS 5V10-5V29 or CLAS 5V30-5V49
Three additional half-credit courses numbered CLAS, GREE, or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above (only one half-credit course numbered CLAS 5P81 through CLAS 5P89 or CLAS 5V80-5V89 may be counted)

Text and Culture Specialization

In addition to the thesis and pro-seminar, students in the Text and Culture specialization must also complete:

Three half-credit courses numbered GREE or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above
Two half-credit courses numbered CLAS 5P80 , CLAS 5V50-5V69 or CLAS 5V70-5V79
One additional half-credit course numbered CLAS, GREE, or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above (only one half-credit course numbered CLAS 5P81 through CLAS 5P89 or CLAS 5V80-5V89 may be counted)