Learning and teaching
Our teaching methods make full use of seminars, study groups and web-based learning. We integrate the latest approaches with traditional lectures to give you a varied and challenging programme. In the first two years the teaching is via both formal lectures (usually 50-70 students) and discussion-based seminar groups of around 12-18 students. All third-year teaching is through discussion-based seminar groups.
You’ll get on average six to eight contact hours per week with tutors (teaching time). You are also expected to invest a lot of time in independent study outside of these contact hours; this involves individual study, contact with your study-group (for example, in preparation for seminars), and contact with your personal tutor. The exact amount of time spent working independently varies from module to module; for details of the individual modules, please check the undergraduate section of our website.
We’re actively engaged in introducing new methods of learning and teaching, including increasing use of interactive computer-based approaches to learning through our virtual learning environment, where the details of all modules are stored in an easily navigable website. You can access detailed information about modules and learning outcomes as well as interact through activities such as the discussion forums.
In addition to the teaching methods described above, there are also many other opportunities for you to add to your overall experience in the department. We hold mini-conferences for some modules, where students can present papers to fellow students and staff, along with weekly research seminars and monthly Classical Association lectures, with talks from leading internal and external speakers. The student-run Classics Society organises events throughout the year and in recent years, they have also organised vibrant discussion groups such as Zetetai, for which they received academic support. The department also publishes its own journal, Pegasus, and our students take an active role in writing and editing this publication.
Research-led teaching
Research-led teaching ensures lectures are up-to-date and relevant and you will benefit from access to the latest thinking, equipment and resources. All staff teach third year options which are linked to their own interests which include the study of the ancient Black Sea, moral concepts in Latin literature, Greek inscriptions, and ancient ideas of character, food, sex, politics and religion.
