The civilizations of Greece and Rome continue to fascinate the modern mind. They are both remote in time, and yet still close to us. This is partly because we owe to the classical world so many of the values and ideas which shape our society, literature and art, partly because many of the important moral and political issues which continue to exercise twenty-first century man were first formulated in the ancient world. In exploring the ancients we learn something about ourselves as well. Over a third of all students in the Arts Faculty at St Andrews take one or more of the classical subjects - a recognition of the value of studying the classical world.
Classical Studies at St Andrews
Though the degree in Classical Studies is relatively new, it is built upon a long tradition. Classics has been taught at St Andrews since the foundation of the University in the fifteenth century, and the Classics departments enjoy a high reputation, not only in Britain but throughout the world. Because texts are studied in translation for Classical Studies, a greater amount of material can be covered, so that the degree is one of remarkable range and depth. Specialists in Greek, Latin and Ancient History work closely together to provide a course which combines the study of history and literature, Greece and Rome, art and thought. There is no compulsory linguistic element to the course although you do have the option to try some ancient Greek or Latin at beginners level.
The subject may be studied at First and Second Arts levels as part of a General degree or as background preparation for Honours work in another subject; at Honours level Classical Studies is available as a Single Honours degree or as part of a Joint Honours degree with Art History, Biblical Studies, English, Film Studies, French, Greek, International Relations, Italian, Latin, Mathematics, Mediaeval or Modern History, Middle East Studies, New Testament, Philosophy, Scottish History, Social Anthropology, and Theological Studies.
To reflect the popularity of Classical Studies at undergraduate level, opportunities for graduate study have been developed to permit students to pursue their interests in greater depth. There is a taught graduate course, which can be undertaken by itself for the award of a diploma or in conjunction with a research dissertation for a Masters degree, or graduates may embark directly on a full-scale dissertation for a Doctorate. Graduates will be able to benefit from St Andrews’ expertise in language teaching, if this is required for their research.
Qualifying for Honours in Classical Studies
Because Classical Studies cover a wide range of historical periods, from Bronze Age to Byzantine, and many facets of the Classical world, including the literature, history, art, archaeology, philosophy, politics, religion, ethics and (optionally) the languages of Greece and Rome, the student wishing to qualify for entry to the Honours course is not compelled to follow a set pattern of study during the first two years. Rather, Honours entry demands a broad experience of matters Classical, while allowing the student to concentrate most on those areas which he or she finds most interesting.
Entry to the Single Honours and Joint Honours degrees in Classical Studies is very flexible. The commonest route is to take all four first-year and second-year level modules in Classical Studies, but other options are possible: you must take at least four modules in the classical subjects (Ancient History, Classical Studies, Greek and Latin), at least two of which are at second-year level, and you must include either both first-year level Classical Studies modules, or both second-year level modules; this ensures some acquaintance with both Greece and Rome.
Normally a student intending Honours in Classical Studies will take two or more modules in Classical Studies and/or Ancient History in his or her first year; but those wishing to start or continue a classical language can do so in their first year, enter Classical Studies or Ancient History in their second or third semester and still proceed to Honours. It is also possible for a student who has taken totally non-classical subjects in his or her first year to convert to Classical Studies in the second year, and enter Honours in the third year.