Classics

The nature of power, the fear of death, the relations between states and individuals: Classics speaks to us of matters from which no–one can remain detached.

Plato and politics...

War and politics, gender and sexuality, parents and children, the power of language – Classics at Cambridge isn't just studied as a period in the past, but looks at how classical culture, language and philosophy have affected the history of Western civilisation right up to the present day.

"Cambridge has a great reputation for Classics. The chance to hear one of the Faculty superstars discussing their latest research is unmissable, and a good supervision leaves you feeling intellectually stimulated and ready to take on the world." – Carol

Cambridge has long been a major centre for the study of the classical world. Today our Faculty is recognised internationally as one of the most dynamic of its kind, with an exceptionally distinguished record in teaching and research.

...plaster casts and plays

The purpose–built Faculty Building provides a focus for both the formal and informal activities of this large faculty. Possibly the best such centre in the country, our facilities include a very well–stocked and comfortable library, and an outstanding display of casts of classical sculptures and a teaching collection of ancient pottery in our own Museum of Classical Archaeology. In addition, you have access to the holdings of the Fitzwilliam Museum, where some classes take place.

Most of our students agree that the Faculty is a very lively one. There’s a thriving student society (The Herodoteans) the renowned Cambridge Greek Play is regularly staged by a professional director. Produced in the original language, the play attracts audiences from all over the country.

Being one of the longest established faculties, we also have funds which enable us to make generous provision for undergraduate prizes and bursaries, and grants for travel to Greece and Italy.

Teaching

Our Classics course aims to provide a broadly–based study of classical antiquity through original texts and artefacts and by studying history, culture, archaeology, art, philosophy and linguistics. Assessment is by end of year exams.

As you progress, you can either specialise in a particular field or retain the breadth with which the course starts and develop an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the classical world.

During Part I, you have an average of 12 Faculty lectures a week, together with two or more language classes (as needed). You also have at least two College supervisions a week in which you discuss your work.

In Part II, you may have Faculty seminars as well as lectures, while your College supervisions give you the opportunity to research essay topics of your choice in depth.

A wide range of options

Part I – the three–year degree

During the first year, you take subjects which allow you to gain a general idea of the ancient world and find out which specific aspects most appeal to you. You extend your knowledge of the ancient languages, and are introduced to the main areas of enquiry. Written texts are a major source of evidence for classical antiquity, so there's an emphasis on developing accurate reading skills in both Greek and Latin.

The choice broadens in the second year and you begin to find your own route of study. You choose from a further selection of papers – perhaps Past and Present in Trajanic Rome, Dramatic Women in Greek Tragedy, or The Literature of the Neronian Period – and pick two of four disciplines to concentrate on. Examinations are taken at the end of the first and second years.

Part I – the four–year degree

The four–year course offers a Preliminary Year for students who don't have Latin at A Level/IB Higher Level. If you have A Level/IB Higher Level Greek but not Latin, you're advised to take the four–year degree.

The Preliminary Year focuses on Latin and the Roman world, with the aim of making you a confident reader of Latin and a confident student of Roman culture. You take on or continue with Greek in your second year. Your third year is identical to the second year of the three–year degree.

Part II

Part II is the same for students on the threeand four–year courses. You can specialise within one discipline (eg Archaeology) or construct a wide–ranging course particular to your individual strengths and interests.

A variety of papers is offered. Options available change from time to time, but have included, for example, The Roman Novel; Plato; Money, Power and Dependence in Roman Society; Early Hellenic Archaeology; The Body in Classical Art; and The History of the Greek and Roman Languages.

Additional options are also available, for instance papers in interdisciplinary cultural studies that examine broad questions concerning the ancient world. You may also 'borrow' a paper from another course, such as English, History, History and Philosophy of Science, and others.

Entrance requirements

We welcome applicants with a keen interest in studying the classical world through its own languages. For the four–year degree, no specific A Level/IB Higher Level subject is essential. Something which shows experience of language learning would be helpful but regular reading classes and grammar tuition from our language teaching specialists are provided.

For the three–year degree, most students have A Level/IB Higher Level Latin and some Colleges require this (see website for details). While A Level/IB Higher Level Greek is desirable, a large proportion of our undergraduates take part in our Intensive Greek Programme aimed at those who have studied little or no Greek.

Changing course

Although it's possible to change course after Part I, in practice most of our students appreciate the breadth of the subjects offered and the opportunity to define their own course of study. Likewise, the broad scope of papers available makes Classics Part II an attractive option after Part I of another course (certain combinations of Part II papers may be taken without knowledge of Greek and Latin).

Several other options are available, including combining classical Greek or classical Latin with a modern language.

After Classics

A recent independent study of major employers confirmed their high opinion of Classicists as potential employees: they know how to work hard, are accurate and efficient, take new tasks in their stride and can master situations intelligently. Above all they can talk articulately and argue coherently.

Some Classics graduates do, naturally, go on to take advantage of the specialist opportunities open to them and do research and teaching in schools and universities, or work in archives, libraries and museums. But most go into other careers – in law, the media, accounting, the Civil Service, industry and business.

Course outline

Years 1 and 2 Part I A course of enquiry Preliminary Year (four–year course) You learn to read Latin confidently through language study and the reading of literature and texts from the Roman world. You also study Roman culture, submit essays for assessment, and undertake some preparatory work for taking up ancient Greek at the beginning of the next year. Year 1 You study up to 12 'target texts' from the most familiar periods of ancient literature by central authors such as Homer, Euripides, Plato, Virgil, Ovid and Cicero. You also study elements of ancient history, archaeology, art, philosophy, philology and linguistics. Reading and language classes directed by specialist language teachers continue, as required. End of year exams test your linguistic and literary comprehension and essay–writing skills. Year 2 You take six papers, including a paper from each of the following four compulsory groups: Greek translation Latin translation a topic in Greek literature a topic in Latin literature The remaining two papers are chosen from four on other subjects:

history philosophy archaeology philology Further optional papers in prose or verse composition in both languages are available if you wish to develop your confidence and creativity in manipulating language. Year 3 Part I To Specialise or not to specialise? You choose four papers from a wide range of options (five if Part II is taken two years after Part I), covering: the literature and culture of the classical world cultural studies using Classics as a starting point papers from another degree course At the end of the year, you take exams in these subjects or you can substitute one paper with a dissertation of your own devising on any subject within the field of Classics. Past dissertation subjects have included: cross–dressing in antiquity the phenomenon of Asterix classical influences on contemporary American poetry Homer and Virgil Greek tragedy and politics comparative linguistics the nature and role of pleasure in human life art and archaeology in Roman Britain