| Programme details | |
|---|---|
| Degree: | Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (BA (Hons)) |
| Disciplines: |
Ancient History
History |
| Duration: | 48 months |
| Study modes: | full-time |
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Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology (CLAHA) is an integrated degree programme that allows you to study the history, literature, art, archaeology, culture and thought of the ancient world in conjunction with one or both of the ancient languages. Flexible pathways enable you to pursue your own interests and graduate with a Single Honors degree in Classics (Latin and Greek), Ancient History and Archaeology, or Classical Civilisation, or to choose from a wide range of Joint Honors and Major/Minor combinations. Both languages can be begun from scratch, and previous study is not necessary.
This may be the course for you if you enjoy learning languages, and are interested in studying the history, literature and culture of ancient civilisations, their achievements and their profound influence on the modern world. Whether you are more attracted by the mythology, literature and thought of the ancient world, or by the study of its material remains and the historical record of its achievements, CLAHA will allow you to develop and pursue your own interests and shape the degree programme in the way that suits you best.
Do you enjoy:
The Department of Classics has a world renowned reputation and courses are taught by academics at the top of their fields. Classics has been taught in Trinity since its foundation just over 400 years ago, and Trinity is unique in having professorships in both Greek and Latin. Teaching formats include a mixture of lectures, practical classes and small-group seminars, which encourage lively discussion and the development of independent thinking. There are opportunities to participate in archaeological fieldwork and in organised study tours to Greece and Italy, for both credit and non-credit. It is also possible to study abroad for a semester or a whole year.
Trinity has a long tradition of Classics graduates who have continued on to postgraduate study and successful academic careers both in Europe and America. Our students find that their degree has been a real education and a source of continuing satisfaction to them, whatever employment they take up after leaving us. Recent graduates of the Classics Department have pursued careers in business, journalism, public relations, heritage and museum work, publishing, teaching and theatre, and are working for companies ranging from McKinsey and Co. and the Sunday Independent to the Gare St. Lazare Players.
At the beginning of the degree programme, you will be asked to choose between a dual language pathway (typically leading to a degree in Classics) and a single language pathway (typically leading to a degree in Ancient History and Archaeology or Classical Civilisation, with the option of continuing with the language to degree level). It is possible to switch between pathways in second year.
All students take a common core, consisting of introductory modules in Greek and Roman History and in Classical Civilisation (Reading and Writing About Ancient Literature).Students following the single language pathway take further modules in: Greek and Roman Art and Architecture, Sources and Methods for Ancient History and Archaeology, Language-based modules at either Beginners’ or Intermediate level, depending on whether you have studied the language before
Students following the dual language pathway take modules in both Greek and Latin at Beginners’ or Intermediate level, as appropriate; if beginning both languages from scratch, they follow the single language pathway in first year and begin the second language in second year:
In your second year, you will be asked to confirm your choice of pathway, and will have the opportunity to focus on the aspects of the programme that most interest you. Students following the single language pathway choose a preponderance of modules in Ancient History and Archaeology or Classical Civilisation in accordance with their preferred degree outcome (Single or Joint Honors or Major/Minor). At this stage, you may or may not choose to continue with the language taken in first year; you will also have the option of taking Trinity Elective modules or Approved Modules from another programme.
Students following the dual language pathway will continue to study both languages at Beginners or Intermediate level, and will also have the option of taking Trinity Elective modules or Approved Modules from another programme.
In third and fourth year, you will continue to specialise in either Ancient History and Archaeology, Classical Civilisation or Classics, according to your preferred degree outcome. Fourth year for all students includes a Capstone project, in the form of a dissertation on a subject of your choice. This is an opportunity to carry out research which will allow you to develop independent ideas and acquire critical skills while investigating in greater depth an area that particularly interests you. All modules are taught through lectures and small-group seminars.
Ancient History and Archaeology modules in second and third year offer the opportunity to focus on specific themes and periods in the history and archaeology of the Mediterranean, develop a deeper awareness of methods and theory, engage with ethical issues concerning cultural heritage, discuss key themes of relevance to both the ancient and modern world, and to do ‘hands on’ work with artefacts. In year 4, you will be able to choose from a range of special subject options: modules offered recently include Ancient Cyprus; Entertainment and Spectacle in the Greek and Roman Worlds; Goddesses of the Ancient Mediterranean; Anthropology and the Greeks; Kings and Cities; and Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasion.
Classical Civilisation modules in second and third year focus on specific authors (e.g. Homer, Virgil, Herodotus), genres (e.g. tragedy, comedy, philosophy) or themes (e.g. gender and sexuality, identity and self-image). In these modules you will analyse ancient texts both as literature and as gateways into culture and thought, discuss key themes of relevance to both the ancient and modern world, and refine your analysis of texts in their literary and cultural context through more specialised skills and methodologies. In final year, you will be able to choose from a range of special subject options, as for Ancient History and Archaeology above.
Third and fourth year modules in Classics progress to an in-depth study of topics in Greek and Roman literature, history and culture. You will refine your analysis of texts in their literary and cultural context through more specialised skills and methodologies, such as textual criticism, linguistics and literary theories. Greek topics may include Greek comedy, Greek historians, the Greek novel, and Hellenistic poetry. Latin topics may include Augustan poetry, didactic poetry, early Latin, informal Latin, and Roman satire. Language labs or a separate advanced language module will assist you in improving your fluency and accuracy in reading and interpretation.
The Department has valuable Erasmus links with the Universities of Cyprus, Udine (Italy), Geneva, Bordeaux, and Koç (Turkey). Students are also able to avail of University-wide exchanges, for example, to North America and Australia. These opportunities allow students the option of spending a year or part of a year abroad.