Classics BA (Hons)

Durham University

The core of the Classics course is language, although how much language is studied and at what level, depends on you. The course is equally suitable for students who have A levels (or equivalent) in Greek and/or Latin and for those who have never studied an ancient language before. As such, we offer modules in both Latin and Greek, in both prose and verse, at every level appropriate to your experience or your particular interests.

The course also put these languages into context by exploring the culture of these ancient civilisations. In your first year, you will gain a grounding in the central periods of Greek and Roman culture. In your second year you will then study how the genre of epic developed in Greek and Roman antiquity and beyond.

In your final year you will bring together your studies and write a dissertation in your chosen area of interest. This will be supported by continuing language study and a choice of further learning which you can tailor to your own studies.

Year 1

You’ll take two interdisciplinary modules that will 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 courses in Greek and/or Latin language, at the appropriate level.

Year 2

You’ll take a module to 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 explore the ways in which the genre developed in Greek and Roman antiquity and beyond:

Traditions of Epic.

Study of Latin and/or Greek continues in the second year.

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

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 and Contemporary Cultures

Theatre and Spectacle in Ancient Rome

Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a Year Abroad)

You’ll write a Dissertation on a topic chosen at the end of your second year in consultation with an adviser, with who you’ll meet regularly for guidance throughout Year 3. Your study of Latin and/or Greek will proceed to the next level, with the texts becoming more difficult or fragmentary. Most other modules in the third year cover specific topics that arise out of the research interests of the members of staff.

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

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). Students interested in studying abroad apply to transfer to the European Studies course after their first year of study. 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.