Last updated: February 23, 2024 @ 01:22PM

Classics

Master of Arts in Classics

Fields of Specialization
Art and Archaeology
Text and Culture

Dean
Carol U. Merriam
Faculty of Humanities

Associate Dean
Elizabeth Vlossak
Faculty of Humanities

Core Faculty

Professor Emeritus
David W. Rupp (Director, Canadian Institute in Greece)

Professor
Michael J. D. Carter, Allison M. J. Glazebrook, Elizabeth S. Greene, Carol U. Merriam, R. Angus K. Smith

Associate Professors
Fanny Dolansky, Carrie Murray, Katharine T. von Stackelberg

Assistant Professors
Roberto Nickel, Adam Rappold

Graduate Program Director
Fanny Dolansky
[email protected]

Administrative Assistant
Jordan Hawman
905-688-5550, extension 3575
International Centre (GLB) 309
[email protected]
brocku.ca/humanities/classics/

Program Description
The Master of Arts in Classics emphasizes a holistic approach to the Greek and Roman worlds and encourages all students to study languages, literature, history, and material culture. Students continue their study of Greek and Latin in order to ensure that they can access the wealth of literary and documentary sources that have survived and continue to surface. The program also assigns prominence to historical context and material culture, especially promoting active archaeological research and travel to the Mediterranean. The program is structured on the principle that these diverse approaches inform one another and produce a cross-disciplinary, well rounded and thus broader understanding of the world and legacy of the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Admission Requirements
Applicants should have a BA Honours, or equivalent degree, in Classics or related discipline, with a minimum overall average of B and a minimum major average of 75%. Applicants to the Critical Ancient Studies program and to the Text and Culture specialization will normally have balanced strength in Greek and Latin or substantial experience in one of the ancient languages. There are no formal ancient language requirements for admission to the Art and Archaeology specialization, but students are encouraged to align their study of ancient languages with their academic interests.

The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of suitable candidates.

Individuals interested in part-time study should consult with the Graduate Program Director.

Degree Requirements
There are two schemes for the MA degree: (Scheme A) Course work with major research paper (normally completed in five terms), and (Scheme B) Course work with thesis (normally completed in six terms).

Acceptance into the thesis stream requires explicit departmental agreement that the candidate is prepared to pursue advanced scholarly research, and the preparation of an acceptable thesis proposal.

Option 1: Critical Ancient Studies


Scheme A: Course Work and Major Research Paper
Total credits of program: 4.0

Major Research Paper: CLAS 5P90, a satisfactory research paper on an approved topic written in the second year of study under the guidance of a Supervisor.

Required courses
·   CLAS 5P00
·   two half credits designated GREE or LATI 4(alpha)00, 5(alpha)00 or above
·   five additional half-credits designated CLAS 4(alpha)00, 5(alpha)00 or above, GREE 5(alpha)00 or above, or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above

Not more than 0.5 credits numbered at the 4(alpha)00 level and not more than 0.5 credits numbered CLAS 5P81-89 or 5V80-89 may be counted toward the fulfillment of the degree requirements.

Scheme B: Course Work and Thesis
Total credits of program: 3.5

Thesis: CLAS 5F90, a satisfactory thesis written in the second year of study under the guidance of a Supervisor and Supervisory Committee and an oral examination to defend the thesis

Required courses
·   CLAS 5P00
·   two half credits designated GREE or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above
·   four half credits designated CLAS 5V10-5V79, CLAS 5P80, GREE 5(alpha)00 or above or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above

Additional advanced undergraduate Greek or Latin courses may be recommended to address deficiencies in the languages.

In addition to the above course requirements, students must also fulfill the following language requirement:
Each student must pass a reading exam in a modern language, normally French, German, or Italian. Students may instead choose to fulfil this requirement by successfully completing with a grade of 75% or higher a full-year introductory credit in the chosen modern language. This requirement should be completed by the end of the first year.

Option 2: Art and Archaeology Specialization

Scheme A: Course Work and Major Research Paper
Total credits of program: 4.0
Major Research Paper: CLAS 5P90, a satisfactory research paper written in the second year under the guidance of a Supervisor

Required courses
·   CLAS 5P00
·   three half credits designated CLAS 5P80, CLAS 5V10-5V29 or 5V30-5V49
·   four additional half credits designated CLAS 4(alpha)00, 5(alpha)00 or above, GREE 5(alpha)00 or above or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above

Not more than 0.5 credits numbered at the 4 alpha 00 level and not more than 0.5 credits numbered CLAS 5P81-89 or 5V80-89 may be counted toward the fulfillment of the degree requirements.

Scheme B: Course Work and Thesis
Total credits of program: 3.5
Thesis: CLAS 5F90, a satisfactory thesis written in the second year of study under the guidance of a Supervisor and Supervisory Committee and an oral examination to defend the thesis

Required courses
·   CLAS 5P00
·   three half credits designated CLAS 5P80, CLAS 5V10-5V29 or 5V30-5V49
·   three half credits designated CLAS 5V10-5V89, CLAS 5P80-5P89, GREE 5(alpha)00 or above or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above

Not more than 0.5 credits numbered 5V80-89 or 5P80-89 may be counted toward the fulfillment of degree requirements.

Additional advanced undergraduate GREE or LATI courses may be recommended to address deficiencies in the languages.

In addition to the above course requirements, students must also fulfill the following language requirement:
Each student must pass a reading exam in a modern language, normally French, German, or Italian. Students may instead choose to fulfil this requirement by successfully completing with a grade of 75% or higher a full-year introductory credit in the chosen modern language. This requirement should be completed by the end of the first year.

Option 3: Text and Culture Specialization

Scheme A: Course Work and Major Research Paper
Total credits of program: 4.0

Major Research Paper: CLAS 5P90, a satisfactory research paper written in the second year of study under the guidance of a Supervisor

Required courses
·   CLAS 5P00
·   three half credits designated GREE or LATI 4(alpha)00, 5(alpha)00 or above
·   two half credits designated CLAS 5P80, CLAS 5V50-5V69 or 5V70-5V79
·   two additional half credits designated CLAS 4(alpha)00, 5(alpha)00 or above, GREE 5(alpha)00 or above or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above

Not more than 0.5 credits numbered at the 4(alpha)00 level and not more than 0.5 credits numbered CLAS 5P81-89 or 5V80-89 may be counted toward the fulfillment of the degree requirements.

Scheme B: Course Work and Thesis
Total credits of program: 3.5

Required courses
·   CLAS 5P00
·   three half credits designated GREE 5(alpha)00 or above and/or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above
·   two half credits designated CLAS 5P80, CLAS 5V50-5V69 or CLAS 5V70-5V79
·   one half credit designated CLAS 5V10-5V79, CLAS 5P80, GREE 5(alpha)00 or above or LATI 5(alpha)00 or above
·   CLAS 5F90, a satisfactory thesis written in the second year of study under the guidance of a Supervisor and Supervisory Committee and an oral examination to defend the thesis
Additional advanced undergraduate GREE or LATI courses may be recommended to address deficiencies in the languages.

In addition to the above course requirements, students must also fulfill the following language requirement:
Each student must pass a reading exam in a modern language, normally French, German, or Italian. Students may instead choose to fulfil this requirement by successfully completing with a grade of 75% or higher a full-year introductory credit in the chosen modern language. This requirement should be completed by the end of the first year.

Facilities
Cypriote Museum (170+ objects, Chalcolithic through Mediaeval, mostly Geometric-Archaic ceramics); Archaeology Lab; Departmental Library and Workroom.

Institutional Memberships: American School of Classical Studies in Athens; Archaeological Institute of America; Canadian Institute in Greece; Classical Association of Canada; Classical Association of the Middle, West and South; Ontario Classical Association; Society for Classical Studies.

Associated Archaeological Field Projects: Gournia Archaeological Project (Crete); Khavania Archaeological Project (Crete); Marzamemi Maritime Heritage Project (Italy); Pantelleria Excavation Project at Lago di Venere (Italy).

Overseas Opportunities
Faculty working overseas take students to assist them when possible. Overseas opportunities for graduate students will be made known by the faculty member involved in the project. Interested students must obtain permission to participate from that faculty member and the Graduate Program Director. Current projects include excavation and ceramic study with Prof. Smith at the Bronze Age sites of Gournia and Khavania on Crete; maritime archaeology fieldwork, conservation, and analysis in Marzamemi, Sicily and museum research in Bodrum, Turkey with Prof. Greene; and excavation with Prof. Murray at the Punic and Roman sanctuary site in the Lago di Venere area on the island of Pantelleria, Italy. Students may also participate in overseas projects not run by the Department of Classics and Archaeology, but must obtain permission from the Graduate Program Director in consultation with their Supervisor.The Department regularly offers a field school and a study tour for its undergraduates in alternating years. Recent field schools have brought students to excavations at Gournia and Khavania, Greece; Marzamemi and Pantelleria, Italy; and Burgaz, Turkey. Recent study tours have also brought students to Greece, Italy, and Turkey. Students will be informed of overseas courses with opportunities for teaching assistantships. Qualified graduate students are given priority for such positions. In all cases, interested students will apply for any position available.

The Department also has an internship (CLAS 5N00) at the Canadian Institute in Greece (CIG). The internship provides an opportunity for students to live in Greece for three months while working on their Thesis or Major Research Paper projects. CIG will offer free membership, a free museum pass, discounted accommodation and free classes in modern Greek at the Athens Centre. The student will perform twenty hours of work a week for CIG and have access to all the libraries of the various archaeological schools in Greece through a CIG membership. The course does not count towards requirements for the MA degree.

Course Descriptions

Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable timetable for details

Students must ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.

CLASSICS COURSES

CLAS 5F90
MA Research and Thesis
Extended research project involving the preparation and defence of a thesis that shall demonstrate capacity for independent work and original research and thought.

CLAS 5N00
Internship I
Three month internship at the Canadian Institute in Athens, Greece, for students working on their Thesis or Major Research Paper projects. CIG offers free membership and museum pass, discounted accommodation, and free classes in modern Greek at the Athens Centre. The student performs twenty hours of work a week for CIG and has access to all libraries of the various archaeological schools in Greece through a CIG membership. The course does not count towards requirements for the MA degree.

CLAS 5P00
Pro-seminar in Classics
Survey of the tools, resources and methodologies for a holistic study of Greco-Roman antiquity with emphasis on philology, history and material culture. Research writing for grant, abstract, conference proposal, and public presentation.
Note: this course will be evaluated as Credit/No-Credit.

CLAS 5P80
Directed Reading in Classics
Directed individual or group reading in a particular area of Classics.
Note: Approval of the Graduate Program Director is required.

CLAS 5P81
Advanced Archaeological Fieldwork in Greece
Fieldwork and study of archaeological material under the supervision of a faculty member.
Restriction: Permission of the instructor and the Graduate Program Director.
Note: Students are expected to pay their own expenses.

CLAS 5P85
Advanced Archaeological Fieldwork in Italy
Fieldwork and study of archaeological material under the supervision of a faculty member.
Restriction: Permission of the instructor and the Graduate Program Director.
Note: Students are expected to pay their own expenses.

CLAS 5P86
Advanced Fieldwork in Maritime Archaeology
Fieldwork and study of archaeological material under the supervision of a faculty member.
Restriction: Permission of the instructor and the Graduate Program Director.
Note: Students are expected to pay their own expenses.

CLAS 5P89
Study in Mediterranean Lands
Topographical investigations of ancient sites and monuments; study tours of important cities and museums of the Mediterranean world emphasizing the art and architecture of the Prehistoric, Classical and later periods.
Restriction: Permission of the Graduate Program Director.
Note: Students are expected to pay their own expenses.

CLAS 5P90
Major Research Paper
Major paper which shall demonstrate capacity for independent work and original research and thought.

CLAS 5V10-5V29
Seminar in Mediterranean Archaeology
Topics and problems in current archaeological method, theory and research in the Mediterranean basin.

CLAS 5V15
Archaeological Skills
Skills important to archaeological investigations from the field to the laboratory focusing on conservation, curation, and exhibition.

CLAS 5V22
Archaeology of Death
Ancient burial customs, concentrating on the cultures of the prehistoric Mediterranean, emphasizing mortuary theory.

CLAS 5V30-5V49
Seminar in the Art and Architecture of the Greco-Roman World
Topics and problems in current research in Greek and Roman art and architecture.

CLAS 5V50-5V69
Seminar in Greek and Roman Social and Cultural History
Study of a topic in Greek and/or Roman social and cultural history with emphasis on methodology and the use of sources from a variety of media.

CLAS 5V50
Augustus and the Roman Revolution
Political and social changes in the transitional period of Roman history from the late Republic to the early Empire, integrating literary sources, documentary texts, and the evidence of material culture.

CLAS 5V54
Adornment and the Body
Adornment practices, including clothing, cosmetics, hairstyling, jewelry, and tattooing in the Greek world and their significance to age, gender, and status.

CLAS 5V70-5V79
Seminar in Greek and Latin Literature
Topics and Trends in the Study of Greek and Latin Literature

CLAS 5V80-5V89
Advanced Archaeological Research
Intensive archaeological fieldwork and study of material culture under supervision of a faculty member.
Note: Enrolment is limited. Not more than 0.5 credits numbered CLAS 5V80-89 may be counted toward the fulfillment of the degree requirements.

GREEK COURSES

GREE 5P80
Directed Readings in Ancient Greek Authors
Reading course constructed in conjunction with a faculty member. This course will be designed for individual students by the faculty member and given final approval by the Graduate Program Director.

GREE 5V00-5V19
Readings in Greek Literature: Prose
Intensive readings in a genre of Greek literary prose or the works of an individual prose author.

GREE 5V20-5V39
Readings in Greek Literature: Verse
Intensive readings in a verse genre or the works of an individual verse author.

GREE 5V25
Homer's Iliad and Odyssey
Readings in Homer and Hesiod, and an overview of scholarship.

LATIN COURSES

LATI 5P80
Directed Readings in Ancient Latin Authors
Reading course constructed in conjunction with a faculty member. This course will be designed for individual students by the faculty member and given final approval by the Graduate Program Director.

LATI 5V00-5V19
Readings in Latin Literature: Prose
Intensive readings in a genre of Latin literary prose or the works of an individual prose author.

LATI 5V03
Latin Biography
Study of Latin biography focusing on epigraphic texts, selections from Nepos and Suetonius, and recent scholarship.

LATI 5V20-5V39
Readings in Latin Literature: Verse
Intensive readings in a verse genre or the works of an individual verse author.

LATI 5V21
Vergil
Readings in Vergil’s Aeneid and an overview of scholarship.