Course description
Course Description:
This interdisciplinary programme is designed to develop skills in interpreting both literary and archaeological evidence from the ancient world. It is a combination of taught modules and individual research, which can serve either as preparation for doctoral research or as a self contained advanced qualification in its own right. The programme allows students to pursue their interests in depth, either by choosing from a range of specialised taught courses or by exploring subjects of their choice through a special topic option.
All students undertake training in research skills and methods, project design, and written and oral communication; they also study Greek or Latin at an appropriate level. It is possible to spend part of the year on a residential course at the British School in Athens or the British School in Rome (subject
to acceptance on the course). The culmination of the MA is a dissertation on a topic of the student’s choice, normally involving the study of both archaeological and literary material.
n interdiscplinary course designed to develop skills in interpreting literary and archaeological evidence from the Greek and Roman worlds.
The MA is a combination of taught modules and individual research, which can serve either as preparation for doctoral research, or as a self-contained advanced qualification in its own right, allowing students to pursue their interests in greater depth than is possible at undergraduate level. It is suitable for students who have taken combined undergraduate degrees in Ancient History and Archaeology, and for those who have taken Ancient History, Classics or Archaeology alone and wish to extend the scope of their studies. The course can be taken full-time in one year, or part-time over two years.
The taught element runs from October to May, and combines research training modules, study of an ancient language, and a choice of specialist thematic modules (listed below). Alternatively, the Special Topic options allow you to research a subject of your choice, under the guidance of a supervisor. It is also possible to spend part of the year on a residential course at the British School in Athens or the British School in Rome. The research training and language modules are assessed by various class exercises, tests and short pieces of written work; assessment for the option modules is through a portfolio of essays, submitted in May.
During the taught stage of the MA, students lay the foundations for the second part of the course, which is an individual research project, carried out between May and September, leading up to a dissertation of 20,000 words; the area of research is usually closely related to the specialised topics studied in the taught modules.
Skills Modules (40 credits)
All students take Research Methods, Writing the Past, Speaking the Past, and either Understanding Texts or Data Presentation and Interpretation
* Understanding Texts - 10 credits (HST011)
* Research Methods - 10 credits (HST301)
* Data Presentation and Interpretation - 10 credits (HST303)
* Writing the Past - 10 credits (HST305)
* Speaking the Past - 10 credits (HST306)
Greek or Latin Language (20 credits)
All students take courses in either ancient Greek or Latin, to enable them to study ancient texts in the original language. Tuition at beginner's level is provided for students who have not learned an ancient language before; those who already have some knowledge take part in advanced reading classes, where they study ancient texts chosen according to the research interests of the students participating. Assessment is by coursework and an exam at the end of the year.
Option Modules (60 credits)
Students take 60 credits of modules, which must include at least one theoretical course. You can choose from a range of thematic modules, which introduce you to key themes and approaches through regular classes and seminars, in which students take turns to deliver short presentations, followed by general discussion of issues and problems. Alternatively, the Special Topic modules allow you to research a subject of your choice in depth, under the guidance of a supervisor: we offer a variety of Special Topics linked to the research interests of individual staff, or you can choose the open Special Period/Topic Study, either to pursue a topic from a thematic module in greater depth or to explore a subject that is not covered by the other modules. It is also possible to spend part of the year on a residential course at the British School in Athens or the British School in Rome, or to take modules taught in the Classics departments at Swansea and Lampeter. Essay topics are chosen by the student in consultation with a tutor.
Theory modules
* Themes and Approaches in Ancient History - 20 credits (HST002)
* Interpreting the Past - 40 credits (HST536)
* Themes in Classical Archaeology - 20 credits (HST203)
Thematic modules
* Ancient Warfare - 20 credits (HST009)
* Greek Epigraphy - 20 credits (HST026)
* Citizens and Others in Athens - 20 credits (HST027)
* The Romanisation of Italy - 20 credits (HST028)
* Eunuchs of the Roman Empire - 20 credits (HST029)
* The City of Rome - 40 credits (HST040)
* The History, Archaeology and Epigraphy of the Greek Sanctuary - 40 credits (HST041)
* Approaches to Ancient Art - 20 credits (HST205)
* Iron Age and Archaic Greece - 20 credits (HST510)
* The Early Celts - 40 credits (HST533)
* Late Roman Society and Culture - 40 credits (HST598)
* Religion and Culture in Late Antiquity - 20 credits (RTT134)
Special Topic modules
These modules consist of an individual case study of a topic formulated by the student in consultation with a supervisor. Some Special Topics are linked to the research interests of individual staff, or you can choose the open Special Period/Topic Study option, which allows you to research any period or theme of Greek or Roman history or archaeology that you have an interest in. In some cases it may be appropriate for you to follow all or part of suitable modular courses already available in the School as part of this work. Assessment is by an essay of 4,000 words.
* Special Topic: Ethnicity in the Ancient World - 20 credits (HST033)
* Special Topic: Sexuality and Society in Ancient Greece - 20 credits (HST034)
* Special Topic: Attic Epigraphy - 20 credits (HST035)
* Special Topic: Aspects of Greek Warfare - 20 credits (HST036)
* Special Topic: Aspects of the Roman Army - 20 credits (HST037)
* Special Topic: Julian the Apostate - 20 credits (HST038)
* Special Period / Topic Study 1 - 20 credits (HST030/HST200)
* Special Period / Topic Study 2 - 20 credits (HST031/HST201)
* Special Topic: Domestic Space in Classical Antiquity - 20 credits (HST204)
Options taught through the University of Wales Institute of Classics and Ancient History
These modules are taught in the Classics department at University of Wales Lampeter.
* Souls, Selves and Death - 20 credits (HST007)
* Gods, Kings and Heroes: Myth, History and Religion in Archaic Rome and Etruria - 20 credits (HST016)
Dissertation (60 credits)
* Dissertation - 60 credits (HST211)
