Classical Civilisation BA (Hons)

Durham University

The Classical Civilisation degree offers a broad and varied exploration of the society and culture of Greece and Rome, and their importance for us today, as well as an opportunity to focus on particular areas which might interest you. The course includes the option of beginning to learn Greek or Latin language (or continuing, if you have studied the languages already).

Year 1

You’ll take two interdisciplinary modules that serve to give you grounding in the central periods of Greek and Roman culture:

Introduction to the Greek World

Monuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus

You’ll also take one module that introduces you to ancient philosophy. In previous years, this module has been offered:

Early Greek Philosophy.

You’ll also take a module that introduces you to the cultural, anthropological and literary implications of translation:

Language, Translation and Interpretation.

Other first-year optional modules have previously included:

Beginners’ Latin and Greek

Intermediate Latin and Greek (if you have an A level or equivalent)

Lives of Objects

The Craft of the Ancient Historian.

Year 2

You’ll take a module in which you study representative examples of Greek and Roman epic; you’ll be introduced to a wide range of approaches to the study of epic including its role as a device for memorialisation and you’ll also explore the ways in which the genre developed in Greek and Roman antiquity and beyond:

Traditions of Epic.

If you choose to study Latin or Greek you may continue these courses in your second year. It’s also possible to begin the study of Latin or Greek in your second year.

Many of the other modules in the second year are broad surveys, for example of a historical period or a literary genre.

Historical offerings have previously included:

The Hellenistic World

Crisis of The Roman Republic

Emperors and Dynasties.

Literary, philosophical and cultural topics have previously included:

Greek Literature and The Near East

Interpreting Greek Tragedy Today

Creation and Cosmology

Ancient Political Thought and Action

Stoicism

Dialogues with Antiquity

Classical Receptions & Contemporary Cultures

Theatre and Spectacle in Ancient Rome

Year 3 (Year 4 if taking a Year Abroad)

You’ll write a Dissertation on a topic at the end of your second year in consultation with an adviser, with who you will meet regularly for guidance throughout Year 3. Most other modules in the third year cover specific topics that arise out of the research interests of our members of staff.

Historical modules have previously included:

Greeks and Persians

Roman Syria

Writing Alexander

The Life and Times of Cicero

Urbs Roma

The Later Roman Empire

Literary, philosophical and cultural topics have previously included:

The Literature and Language of Ancient Babylon

Comedy and Tragedy, Laughter and Sorrow

Hellenistic Poetry: Theory and Practice

Roman Law and Latin Literature

Love and Sex in Ancient Poetry

Technologies of Knowledge in Antiquity

Knowledge and Doubt in Hellenistic Philosophy

For this course, the study of ancient languages is not required, though it is permitted as an option.

Study Abroad

This course includes an optional European Studies element, where you may spend the third year of a four-year course studying at a European university (for further details please see our website). We also participate in the University-wide overseas exchange programme, which offers the opportunity to spend your second year studying at one of our partner universities in North America or Australasia.

We review course structures and core content every year and will publish finalised core requirements for 2023 entry from September 2022. Please note the list of optional modules available in any year vary depending on available teaching staff. The lists above provide an example of the type of modules which may be offered. For more information on this course, please see our website.