MA Classics and Ancient History

1. Knowledge of fundamental political and cultural features of the Classical world
2. A sophisticated understanding of the nature of the sources for the study of Greek and Latin culture and an ability to deploy these sources
3. The ability to draw critically and independently on literary, documentary and material evidence and to use them in effective combination as a tool of historical and cultural analysis and reconstruction
4. Knowledge of Greek or Latin at a basic or more advanced level which can support MA-level study and research (optional for Alternative Histories pathway)

You will acquire knowledge in preparation for seminar presentations and discussions and written work.

ILOs 1-2 are developed by seminar-work in the compulsory module, non-linguistic options and dissertation. These forms of understanding are developed by a combination of advanced instruction and independent study and research, the preparation of oral presentations, participation in focused and sustained discussion, the preparation of written essays and a substantial dissertation based on independent research. The archaeology option is based on a field-course involving on-site presentations and related seminars and the preparation of written reports.

3 is developed through language classes involving closely guided study of the fundamentals or more advanced aspects of the Greek language leading to knowledge of grammar or intermediate or advanced reading skills. Students entering with BA-level knowledge of Greek will be enabled work, and in the research and writing of the dissertation.

4 is developed throughout the programme. Your learning is further developed through engagement with assessments, following guidance from tutors and lecturers and through feedback on work submitted.

The assessment of these skills is made through extended essays, based on the taught modules or the field-course, and on the substantial dissertation. The assessment of ILO 4, specifically, is made through a combination of examination and continuous assessment testing progressive language acquisition and its outcomes. For students entering with BA-level knowledge of Greek and/or Latin, assessment of its effective deployment also forms part of the assessment of essays and the dissertation. For marking criteria for translation, see Department handbook which can be accessed via the Classics department-specific section of the Humanities student handbook.

5. Identify, synthesise and analyse evidence of different types, showing an awareness of the distinctive features of different types of evidence and the problems these raise
6. Select and apply appropriate critical, interpretative and analytic methodologies when using primary and secondary materials
7. Frame relevant and useful questions relating to historical, literary and cultural issues and evolve strategies for deploying evidence to answer those questions
8. Formulate cross-cultural comparisons, relating to the student's own culture as well as those studied in a way that shows an awareness of issues of critical theory, power-relations, ideology and ethnicity
9. Demonstrate a professional approach to referencing and the use of bibliography
10. Evaluate scholarly interpretations and form and present independent critical judgements
11. Synthesise and analyse complex and diverse arguments and ideas in an independent and coherent way, both orally and in written form
12. Develop strategies for foreign language-acquisition at a basic or more advanced level and for using the linguistic skill gained in support of study, interpretation of evidence and independent research

ILOs 5-11 in general are developed through the guided study and independent research in the seminars (both in the compulsory module and option) and the dissertation. More specifically, the research methodology module provides instruction in and deployment of ILOs 9-11. The compulsory module focuses explicitly on ILOs 5-8, and these skills are also developed by the requirement of the compulsory module and of the programme as a whole to deal with different kinds of evidence (e.g. literary, historical, conceptual, material, archaeological).

The interpretative and analytic skills outlined in ILOs 5-8 are developed through explicit discussion in seminars and by your application in oral presentations, written essays and dissertation, based on independent research.

ILO 12 is developed through regular language classes at a basic or more advanced level involving grammar exercises or written translation or interpretative comments. The oral and written work for the other modules and the dissertation provide opportunities for applying foreign linguistic competence at all levels in the interpretation of relevant types of evidence.

ILOs 5-11 are assessed formatively through oral presentations and discussion in the seminars and summatively by extended essays.

ILOs 9-10 are assessed specifically through the bibliographical and IT assignment in the research methodology modules.

The assessment of ILO 12 is made through a combination of examination and continuous assessment, testing progressive language acquisition and its outcome.

13. Present and defend a complex and sustained argument orally in a clear, organised and effective manner
14. Present a complex and sustained argument in written form in a clear and organised manner, with appropriate use of correct English.
15. Work independently, constructively and responsively with others, both peers and academic staff
16. Demonstrate autonomy, manifested in self-direction, intellectual initiative, analysis and synthesis of ideas, in learning and study, in individual research, and in the management of time
17. Lead and participate in sophisticated discussion of complex subject-matter
18. Write and think under pressure and to meet deadlines
19. Use high-level information retrieval skills including both conventional bibliographical and IT-based methodologies
20. Use a range of soft-ware and data-based packages relevant to humanities research

ILOs 13, 15 and 17 are developed through the preparation and delivery of oral presentations and the discussion of challenging and complex material in the compulsory and optional modules.

ILO 14 is acquired and demonstrated through writing the 4,000 word essays which are the assessed assignments of the compulsory and optional modules.

ILO 15 is also developed through meetings with personal tutors, one-to-one tutorials giving feedback on essays or advising on the preparation of essays and the dissertation. It is also developed in the archaeological study-visit with the additional challenge of working in a new overseas environment.

ILO 16 is an essential part of the successful completion of the programme but is especially promoted through preparation of oral and written assignments, general preparation for seminars and language classes. It is developed further through the dissertation.

ILO 18 is developed through the examinations for language-based modules and through the requirements of deadlines for essays and dissertation.

ILOs 19-20 are developed through the preparation of the bibliographical and IT assignments for the research methodology module. These skills are also required for an evaluated in the context of the compulsory modules, the optional modules, and the dissertation.

ILOs 13, 15, 17 are formatively assessed by responses from teacher and fellow-students to oral contributions to seminars, and by the student's own self-assessment of these.

ILO 14 is assessed through writing essays which are the marked assignments of the compulsory and optional modules.

ILO 15 is also assessed as part of the overall assessment of the written essays and dissertation.

ILO 16 is tested through all the forms of assessment cited above, particularly the preparation of the essays and the dissertation. It is also is tested through the tests and examinations for the language-based modules, and (for those with advanced linguistic skills) through the assessment of the application of linguistic knowledge in essays and dissertation.

ILO 18 is tested through examinations (in language-modules) and through the need to meet deadlines for essays and dissertation.

ILOs 19-20 are assessed through the bibliographical and IT assignments for the research methodology module.