Faculty of Arts

Classical Studies

Western civilisation evolved largely from the interplay between three 'classical' cultures - Greek, Roman and Semitic. The Department of Classics and Archaeology is unique in the Faculty in offering a wide range of study options on all three of these ancient Mediterranean and Western Asian cultures.

The Department's areas of study cover literature, art, archaeology, history, philosophy, mythology and religion. They do not presuppose language study or prior study at school. The Department also offers a number of languages - Latin, Ancient Greek, Classical Hebrew, Akkadian, Syriac, Aramaic - all available at beginners and more advanced levels.

Some students who have majored in the Department do obvious things: they become professional archaeologists - in museums, teaching, archaeological units, heritage parks, or working for either national or local government - or teachers of languages or civilisation courses. But most go on to seemingly unrelated careers - yet ones that build on the broad skills they have acquired with us. Such careers include business, industry and administration. This is due to the fact that graduates are literate, critically astute and adaptable, and in a changing world these are supremely marketable qualities.

The Department's offerings are listed in this Handbook under four headings: Ancient Greek, Archaeology, Classical Studies and Latin.

The Classical Studies program includes a wide variety of subjects in the literature, languages, history, art, archaeology, philosophy and mythology of Greco-Roman antiquity. It is possible to complete a three-year sequence in Classical Studies without language study. However Latin and Ancient Greek subjects are also available, on a single-semester and also a sustained basis, both for students with prior experience and for those wishing to begin language study at the University.

There are no specific prerequisites for entry to Classics subjects offered in the Department.

First Year: Students may undertake up to four semesters of Classical Studies subjects: students wishing to take a language may study 1 or 2 semesters of either Ancient Greek and/or Latin (at an appropriate level) and/or 1 or 2 semesters of non-language subjects.

The major in Classical Studies requires the completion of at least five subjects at second or third-year level, totalling 83.3 points, drawn from Classical Studies, Archaeology, Ancient Greek and Latin.

Students may take up to ten subjects over second and third year (16.7 points), but they are also free to enrol in individual subjects (16.7 points each). The Department recognises that the interdisciplinary character of its offerings typically makes other Departments' first or second-year subjects an appropriate preparation for its non-language subjects. Students who are concentrating on other disciplines often take one or two subjects with the Department, so it is the Department's policy to avoid narrow prerequisites, and to welcome into later-year subjects students who may not have studied with the Department previously but who have completed subjects in other Departments. If in doubt about the relevance of their preparation, students should consult the Department.

• Classical Studies (Combined Honours)
• Classical Studies (Pure Honours)

Students intending to do Honours should plan their course carefully in order to ensure that they meet subject prerequisites. Language study is required for the Honours degree in Classical Studies, and all the Department's languages are offered at beginners and more advanced levels. It is strongly recommended that those who intend to do Honours begin language study by second year, although committed students who have not begun language study until third year can qualify for Honours.

Classical Studies may be taking in conjunction with another Honours School in the Department of the Faculty. Many Classical students combine Honours in Classical Studies with Honours in Archaeology, but combinations with other Departments' Honours Schools are also possible. Combined Honours students must meet the requirements for honours in both departments. Students who have an average H2A result over an Archaeology and Classical Studies major, but have not studies either classical language, with the permission of the Head of the Department may be admitted to Combined Honours in Archaeology and Classical Studies.

Students enrol in either 104-400 Classics and Archaeology Honours Thesis, or a thesis in the combining department, and 33.3 points of coursework. The coursework consists of two of the following two-hour seminars: 104-441 Honours Seminar in Archaeology 1 (16.7 points); 104-442 Honours Seminar in Archaeology 2 (16.7 points); 104-443 Honours Seminar in Classics and Archaeology 1 (16.7 points); 104-444 Honours Seminar in Classics and Archaeology 2 (16.7 points). Students may take one semester length language subject at Beginners or Intermediate level (16.7 points) instead of one of these seminars. Please consult the subject Coordinator.

Students enrol in 104-400 Classics and Archaeology Honours Thesis, plus four weekly two-hour seminars (66.6 points): 104-441 Honours Seminar in Archaeology (16.7 points); 104-442 Honours Seminar in Archaeology 2 (16.7 points); 104-443 Honours Seminar in Classics and Archaeology 1 (16.7 points); and 104-444 Honours Seminar in Classics and Archaeology 2 (16.7 points). Students may take up to two semester length language subjects at Beginner's or Intermediate level (each 16.7 points) instead of these seminars. Please consult the subject Coordinator.

A degree in Classical Studies can lead to further Post Graduate studies.

For Further Information, please contact:

The Department of Classics and Archaeology

The University of Melbourne

Telephone: (03) 9344 4066/5518

Subject Descriptions

First Year

104-136 Empires of the Ancient World
104-142 Classical Rome: Republic To Empire
104-143 Classical Greece: Myth and Reality
150-160 The Heritage of Greece
104-145 Classical Mythology
104-146 Classical Greek and Roman Literature and Society
Second and Third Year
104-221 Greek and Roman Epic
104-222 Theatre and Society
104-226 Religious Movements: Origins Vs Constructions
150-281 Reinventing Greece: Philhellenism and Greek Nationalism in Literature, Art and Architecture
104-228 Imperial Rome
104-230 Pagans and Christians in the Roman World
104-231 Byzantium in the Sixth Century
104-234 Roman Architecture
104-241 Greek Art and Archaeology: an Introduction To the Archaic and Classical Periods 700-336BC
104-242 The Art and Archaeology of the Roman Empire
104-244 Corinth: A Case Study in Greek History and Archaeology
104-245 Underworld and Afterlife: Myth and Ritual in Antiquity
104-247 Archaeology of Greek Religion
104-249 Greek Architecture
104-268 The New Testament and Judaism in Ancient Palestine
161-225 Greek Philosophy: Metaphysics and Epistemology
104-395 Special Study Research Project
Fourth Year Honours
104-401 Honours Ancient Greek A
104-402 Honours Ancient Greek B
104-411 Honours Latin A
104-412 Honours Latin B
104-443 Honours Seminar in Classics and Archaeology 1
104-444 Honours Seminar in Classics and Archaeology 2
104-400 Classics and Archaeology Honours Thesis
104-421 Classics and Archaeology Honours Thesis (Mid-Year Entry)

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