Faculty of Arts
Classics and archaeology

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Faculty of Arts

1. Prerequisites
2. Requirements for a major
3. Honours entry
4. Honours requirements
    4.1. Pure honours
    4.2. Combined honours
5. Further study
6. Career opportunities
7. For more information
Subject Lists
    First-year subjects
    Second/third-year subjects
    Third-year subjects
    Third/fourth-year subjects
    Fourth-year subjects

Students of classics and archaeology are uniquely placed to develop flexible and critical skills at a leading international centre for the study of the ancient world. The only program of its kind in Australia, classics and archaeology draws upon cutting edge research, the world class collection at the Ian Potter Museum and a range of innovative multimedia resources. The Centre for Classics and Archaeology provides students with a multi-disciplinary perspective on ancient Greco-Roman civilisation and ancient Anatolian and Australian archaeology. A number of fieldwork options are provided in which students gain direct and practical project experience. Students also have the opportunity to study Ancient Greek (Language study streams) and Latin (Language study streams) and may specialise in a particular area or pursue broader interests. An articulated structure of higher degree study options exists for students seeking to build on their interests and the knowledge gained in this area. The study of classics and archaeology is designed to foster a wide range of critical skills in the historical, literary, archaeological, linguistic and art historical analysis of ancient civilisations. A diverse range of interests are accommodated by subjects that cover such topics as archaeology, religious, political and social life in ancient societies, classical literature and mythology, art and architecture. Classics and archaeology students graduate with transferable skills that draw on the analytical and research knowledge gained in this area of study and which can lead to a variety of career options and pathways.

1. Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for first-year subjects in classics and archaeology.

The prerequisite for a second/third-year subject in classics and archaeology is usually one first-year subject in classics and archaeology (12.5 points).

The prerequisite for a third/fourth-year subject in classics and archaeology is usually three subjects at second/third-year in classics and archaeology (37.5 points).

Students who believe they have completed suitable alternative first-year subjects are advised to consult with the School for permission to enrol. Exemptions may also be granted where second/third-year subjects are taken as part of an approved interdepartmental program with its own entry requirements.

Students wishing to undertake Ancient Greek and/or Latin as a component of their study in classics and archaeology must ensure they satisfy the particular prerequisites for language study: see Ancient Greek and Latin.

2. Requirements for a major

A major in classics and archaeology usually consists of nine 12.5-point subjects, totalling 112.5 points. It comprises:

two first-year subjects in classics and archaeology (25 points); and
seven second/third-year subjects in classics and archaeology (87.5 points).

Students are encouraged to undertake Ancient Greek and/or Latin as part of their major in classics and archaeology. Students should consult the Centre for Classics and Archaeology.

3. Honours entry

The prerequisites for entry to fourth-year honours in classics and archaeology are:

completion of all the requirements for the BA;
completion of a major in classics and archaeology;
an average grade of H2B or higher over the second/third-year subjects within the major.

Entry to honours must be approved by the honours coordinator of the School and the Faculty of Arts honours course adviser. Forms, to be submitted to the school, are available at the School office in May and September of each year.

4. Honours requirements

Honours coordinator: Dr Parshia Lee-Stecum

4.1. Pure honours

Students undertaking pure honours in classics and archaeology must complete:

107-517 Classics & Archaeology Thesis or 107-518 Classics & Archaeology Thesis (MYE) (37.5 points); and
107-400 Research Methods
four honours subjects in classics and archaeology (50 points).
- Students may substitute up to three of these four subjects with Latin and/or ancient Greek (intermediate and/or advanced).
- With the approval of the honours coordinator one of the four subjects (12.5 points) may be a related subject from art history or cinema studies.

4.2. Combined honours

Students undertaking combined honours in classics and archaeology and another area of study must complete:

107-517 Classics & Archaeology Thesis or 107-518 Classics & Archaeology Thesis (MYE) (37.5 points); and
107-400 Research Methods; and
one honours subject in classics and archaeology (12.5 points); and
three honours subjects in the combined area of study (37.5 points).

honours thesis in the combined area of study (37.5 points); and
two honours subjects in the combined area of study (25 points); and
107-400 Research Methods; and
two honours subjects in classics and archaeology (25 points).

5. Further study

An honours degree in classics and archaeology can lead to the MA or PhD.

6. Career opportunities

Some students who have majored in classics and archaeology 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. Most go on to seemingly unrelated careers - yet ones that build on the broad skills they have acquired with us. Such careers include media, 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.

7. For more information

Centre for Classics and Archaeology (FACSA)
University Quadrangle
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel: +61 3 8344 5671/5565
Email: finearts-info@unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.sfca.unimelb.edu.au

First-year subjects

107-101 The Graeco-Roman World
107-127 Everyday Life in Greece and Rome
107-128 Introduction to Archaeology
107-134 Classical Mythology

Second/third-year subjects

107-004 Palaces & Priest-kings: The First Greeks
107-005 Archaeology of Western Asia
107-106 Roman Art and Architecture
107-007 Prehistoric Archaeology
107-108 Archaeology of Greek Religion
107-009 The Great Archaeologists
107-100 Classical Athens
107-102 The Epics of Homer
107-105 Pagans and Christians in the Roman World
107-107 Myth and Ritual in Antiquity
107-109 Greek Art and Architecture
107-110 Classical Sculpture
107-111 Comparative Mythology
107-112 Byzantine World 330-1204
107-115 Greek and Roman Magic
107-116 Legacy of Greece and Rome
107-121 Archaeology of Australia
107-122 Australian Rock Art
107-123 Augustan Rome
107-149 Greek and Roman Theatre
107-259 Roman Epic
107-260 Archaeology of the Indian Subcontinent
107-261 Egypt and its Neighbours
161-019 Greek Philosophy

Third-year subjects

107-114 Special Study Research Project

Third/fourth-year subjects

107-408 Archaeology: Theory, Methods, Techniques
107-410 Byzantium in the Sixth Century
107-423 The Parthenon

Fourth-year subjects

107-517 Classics & Archaeology Thesis
107-518 Classics & Archaeology Thesis (MYE)
107-400 Research Methods
107-403 Fine Arts 4A
107-411 Archaeology of Complex Societies
107-413 Roman Mythology
107-415 Cities of Greece and Rome
107-417 Australian Cultural Heritage Management
107-435 The Epic Cycle and Homeric Hymns
107-439 Sex, Gender & Society in Greece and Rome
107-441 Ethnic Identity in the Greco-Roman World