Study information

Programme Specification for the 2024/5 academic year

BA (Hons) Classical Studies and Philosophy

1. Programme Details

Programme nameBA (Hons) Classical Studies and Philosophy Programme codeUFA3CTHHPS01
Study mode(s)Full Time
Part Time
 Academic year2024/5
Campus(es)Streatham (Exeter)
 NQF Level of the Final Award6 (Honours)

2. Description of the Programme

The BA (Hons) Classical Studies and Philosophy programme connects the earliest branch of the humanities with the longest standing of the academic disciplines. A degree in Classics at Exeter enables you to understand an ancient world that has fundamentally impacted the society we live in today, whilst Philosophy sees you question the very essence of what we know.

In Classics, you will focus on Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece, which form the cornerstones of our modern Western civilisation. You will learn to interpret their language, literature, art and culture to unlock new ways of thinking and understand ancient history in context to current issues such as power, sexuality, ethics, migration, identity, magic, food, globalisation and religion. Not only will you emerge as an accomplished researcher, you will have a deep understanding of classical languages and the confidence to analyse, interpret and challenge traditional theories and concepts.

Exeter has one of the largest and most vibrant Classics and Ancient History departments in the country. Here, you join an open, friendly and dynamic community in which to live and study. Our highly-active Classics Society is run by students who organise a lively social and academic programme for you to take advantage of including; plays, balls, debates, film nights, museum visits and opportunities to travel abroad.

In Philosophy you will broaden your studies to explore topics such as existence, knowledge, values, reason and mind. Philosophy, from the Greek philosophia, literally translates as a ‘love of wisdom’ and during your time at Exeter you will engage with and challenge the ideas of some of history’s key thinkers from Aristotle, Plato, Kant, Marx and Descartes to Hume, Russell, Wittengenstein and Putnam. With the support of our enthusiastic staff you will learn to think rigorously, defend your views in a clear and consistent way, understand the why and what-for of different points of view and ultimately develop a sharp, analytical and open mind.

As with all our classically-based degrees, you will graduate with a solid foundation of transferable skills including; communication, persuasion, problem-solving, critical analysis and collaborative working. This will be reinforced by your new-found ability to analyse arguments, criticise texts, debate and write well-argued essays. Recent graduates are now working in areas such as finance, education, law, publishing and journalism with organisations like JP Morgan, the Department of Health, British Armed Forces, Waterstones and Accenture.

Advice and guidance on your programme can be sought from your personal tutor and programme director. All staff offer regular office hours that you can drop into without a prior appointment for this purpose.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

The programme will offer you a structured framework of study in which you follow a balanced and complementary range of modules, with sufficient choice to ensure that you are able to follow an individual pathway of learning. The programme further aims to:

  • Provide you with a stimulating and supportive environment that is informed by research.
  • Offer a coherent and structured framework of study which ensures that within the timespan of the programme you follow a balanced and complementary range of modules, whilst allowing sufficient choice to ensure that you are able to follow individual pathways of learning.
  • Promote your understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of Greek and Roman texts and your appreciation of the contribution of individual authors and texts to an understanding of the literary genres of Greek and Roman literature.
  • Foster your understanding of Greek and Roman cultures, with a focus on:
    • their literature and thought;
    • the issues involved in studying other cultures;
    • the similarities and differences between ancient cultures and our own.
  • Produce graduates who are grounded in the main themes and methods of philosophy through a combination of modules, which develop a reflective understanding of some pervasive and problematic features of the world and of ourselves.
  • Provide a range of academic and personal skills which will prepare students from varied educational backgrounds for employment or further study, which will foster mental agility and adaptability, and which will enable you to deploy your knowledge, abilities and skills in their entirety, displaying balance and judgement in a variety of circumstances.

4. Programme Structure

5. Programme Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.

Philosophy modules https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=philosophy
Classical Studies modules https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=classics-ancient

You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. You are expected to balance your credits in each stage of the programme, taking 60 credits from Classical Studies, and 60 credits from Philosophy. Across Stages 1 and 2 you must take at least 90 credits each from Classical Studies and Philosophy in order to gain a sufficient understanding of both disciplines.

You may take elective modules up to 30 credits outside of the programme in any stage of the programme as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

Stage 1

75 credits of compulsory modules (including 30 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 45 credits of Philosophy modules), 60 credits of optional modules (including 30 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 15 credits of Philosophy modules).

 

Compulsory Modules

Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:

a - select either CLA1005 or CLA1006; the modules run in alternate years so you must select the one which is running in this academic year.

b - select at least 45 credits of compulsory Philosophy modules from this list.

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
CLA1005 Greek and Roman Narrative [See note a above]30No
CLA1006 Greek and Roman Drama [See note a above]30No
PHL1002A Knowledge and Reality 1 [See note b above]15No
PHL1002B Knowledge and Reality 2 [See note b above]15No
PHL1005A Evidence and Argument 1 [See note b above]15No
PHL1006 Introduction to Philosophical Analysis [See note b above]15No
PHL1013 Philosophy of Morality [See note b above]15No

Optional Modules

c - select 45 credits of Classical Studies modules from this list.

select 0-15 credits of Philosophy PHL1xxx modules from this list. Philosophy modules https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=philosophy

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
Ancient History and Classical Studies Combined Hons Stage 1 Option Modules 2024-5 [See note c above]
CLA1029 Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Hellenistic-Roman Syria 15 No
CLA1354 Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Brave New Rome of Augustus 15 No
CLA1031 Text and Context: Women in Homer 15 No
CLA1405 Text and Context: Roman Laughter 15 No
CLA1516 Ancient World (Written Evidence): Persuasion in Ancient Greece 15 No
CLA1301 Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) - Tyranny 15 No
CLA1508 Ancient World: Roman Philosophy 15 No
CLA1030 Ancient World: Racecraft 15 No
CLA1027 Classical Language and Texts: Latin I (A) 15 No
CLA1028 Classical Language and Texts: Latin I (B) 15 No
CLA1252 Classical Language and Texts: Latin II 30 No
CLA1254 Classical Language and Texts: Latin III 30 No
CLA1025 Classical Language and Texts Greek I (A) 15 No
CLA1026 Classical Language and Texts: Greek I (B) 15 No
CLA1202 Classical Language and Texts: Greek II 30 No
CLA1204 Classical Language and Texts: Greek III 30 No

Stage 2

75 credits of compulsory modules (including 30 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 45 credits of Philosophy modules), 60 credits of optional modules (including 30 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 15 credits of Philosophy modules).

 

Compulsory Modules

Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:

d - select either CLA2005 or CLA2006; the modules run in alternate years so you must select the one which is running in this academic year.

e - select 45-60 credits of compulsory Philosophy modules from this list.

 

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
CLA2005 Greek and Roman Narrative [see note d above]30No
CLA2006 Greek and Roman Drama [see note d above]30No
PHL2010A Philosophy of Mind 1 [See note e above]15No
PHL2043 Philosophical Research [See note e above]15No
PHL2015 Body and Mind [see note e above]15No
PHL2016 Metaphysics [see note e above]15No
PHL2018 Philosophy of Language [see note e above]15No
PHL2118 Moral agency in social context [See note e above]15No

Optional Modules

f - select 0-30 credits from this list of Classical Studies optional modules.

select 0-15 credits from this list of Philosophy PHL2xxx optional modules. Philosophy modules https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=philosophy

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
Ancient History Stage 2 Option Modules 2024-5 [See note g above]
CLA2029 Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Hellenistic-Roman Syria 15 No
CLA2354 Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Brave New Rome of Augustus 15 No
CLA2031 Text and Context: Women in Homer 15 No
CLA2405 Text and Context: Roman Laughter 15 No
CLA2516 Ancient World (Written Evidence): Persuasion in Ancient Greece 15 No
CLA2301 Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Tyranny 15 No
CLA2030 Ancient World: Racecraft 15 No
CLA2252 Classical Language and Texts: Latin II 30 No
CLA2254 Classical Language and Texts: Latin IV 30 No
CLA2202 Classical Language and Texts: Greek II 30 No
CLA2205 Classical Language and Texts: Greek IV 30 No

Stage 3

30 credits of compulsory dissertation, 90 credits of optional modules (including 30-60 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 30-60 credits of Philosophy modules)

 

Compulsory Modules

g - You must select either CLA3009 or PHL3040 (you cannot take both modules).

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
CLA3009 Dissertation [See note g above]30No
PHL3040 Philosophy Dissertation [See note g above]30No

Optional Modules

If you select CLA3009, you must take 60 credits of options from the Philosophy PHL3xxx list.

If you select PHL3040, you must take 60 credits of options from the Classical Studies list.

Philosophy modules https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=philosophy

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
Ancient History & Classical Studies Final Stage option modules 2024-5
CLA3251 Classical Language and Texts: Latin V: Epic 30 No
CLA3059 Classical Language and Texts: Greek V: Imperial Greek Prose 30 No
CLA3252 Classical Language and Texts: Latin II 30 No
CLA3254 Classical Language and Texts: Latin III 30 No
CLA3206 Classical Language and Texts: Latin IV 30 No
CLA3202 Classical Language and Texts: Greek II 30 No
CLA3204 Classical Language and Texts: Greek III 30 No
CLA3205 Classical Language and Texts: Greek IV 30 No
CLA3263 Being and Not-Being in Greek Philosophy: from Parmenides to Aristotle 15 No
CLA3113 Art in Greek Society 15 No
CLA3273 Polybios and the Challenge of Change 15 No
CLA3126 Critical Classics and the Contemporary World 15 No
CLA3276 Courage in the Ancient World 15 No
CLA3275 Women Writing Classics 15 No
CLA3056 Ovid and the Erotic Passions 15 No
CLA3114 Art in Roman Society 15 No
CLA3277 Lost Works and Fragments 15 No
CLA3264 Ancient Science and Society 15 No
HUM3004 Transforming the Tablet: Digital Approaches to Ancient Text and Artefact 15 No
CLA3267 Dialogues with the Past: Creative Interpretative Project 15 No
CLA3279 Knowledge, Wealth and Power in the Ancient World 30 No
CLA3125 Reading and Writing Greek Literature in the Hellenistic World 30 No
CLA3007 The Crisis of the Athenian Polis 30 No
CLA3274 The Persians in a Near Eastern Context 30 No
CLA3033 Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds 30 No
CLA3008 The Age of Cicero 30 No
CLA3042 Ancient Literary Criticism 30 No
CLA3124 Receptions of the Classical Body 30 No
THE3229 Syriac Christianity: Monks, Monasteries and Mimre 30 No

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of major literary works of Greece and Rome, read critically individual works within a specific genre and demonstrate an awareness of the way texts reflect changes in ancient society and perceptions.
2. Demonstrate an awareness of and critical engagement with aspects of Greek and Roman society, religion and philosophy and be able to evaluate the similarities and differences with our own culture
3. Analyse in general terms the complex interrelationship between history, literature, philosophy and ideology in the context of one or more ancient societies.
4. Evaluate, analyse and synthesise a wide range of viewpoints on problems of interpretation and evaluation, and adopt a variety of critical approaches to the subject drawn from different disciplines within the subject area
5. Show familiarity with philosophical ideas about the nature of society and the social sciences.
6. Reflect upon the conditions of human social life.
7. Show familiarity with the history of modern philosophy
8. Demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts in epistemology, metaphysics, and the philosophy of mind and nature
9. Analyse concepts in ethics
10. Analyse and criticise substantial works by important historical and contemporary moral and political philosophers
11. Engage in logical and conceptual analysis and abstract reasoning
12. Apply a reflective and sophisticated analytic understanding to a range of complex issues and subject matters.

ILOs 1-4 form the basis of the programme in all levels. However, more sophisticated analysis and understanding is expected in the final stage. These skills are developed in stages 1 and 2 by means of lectures, discussion in seminars, researching and writing essays, gobbet answers and oral presentations. In the final stage these skills are developed in relation to particular topics and periods through specialised modules and through an optional dissertation. These skills are also reinforced in the final stage by placing greater emphasis on seminars; on oral presentations (often summatively assessed); and essay writing (longer essays are expected in the final stage).

In explicit terms, 5 and 6 are developed through lectures, seminars and essay work in PHL1002A and PHL1002B,; 7 and 8 through similar methods and strategies in PHL1006A, PHL1005a, PHL201a, PHL2016, PHL2015, and PHL2018; 9 and 10 through similar methods in PHL1013 and PHL2118; and 7 through similar methods on PHL2010A, PHL2010B, and PHL2018.

However, depending on the student’s chosen portfolio of modules, they will be developed, with increasing intensity as s/he progresses through the Stages, on the elective modules as well. 12 is developed through the optional modules taken. The level of competence expected of students intensifies at each stage of the programme.

The assessment of ILOs 1-4 is made through a combination of examinations (including essays and gobbet passages for comment); term-time essays and, in many final stage modules, the assessment of oral presentations.

The assessment of skills 5-12 is made through a combination of course essays, oral presentations, examinations; also, where appropriate, Research Methods Project or dissertation.

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

13. Analyse critically individual texts and combine those analyses to demonstrate understanding of the development of literary genres
14. Select and apply appropriate critical tools when reading primary and secondary literature and ancient literature in translation
15. Demonstrate a professional approach to referencing and the use of bibliography
16. Synthesise complex and diverse arguments and ideas lucidly and coherently, both orally and in writing
17. Engage in creative analytical and evaluative thinking about texts, sources, arguments and interpretations
18. Engage in lateral thinking, making connections between ideas and information in different fields of their study
19. Gather, memorise, organise and deploy evidence, information and ideas, and show an awareness of the provisional nature of knowledge
20. Reflect critically on the extent and limitations of your learning and understanding
21. Understand and demonstrate the different uses of qualitative and quantitative data, and evaluate their relative advantages and disadvantages (Phil. 6.2.3).
22. Show awareness of the basic philosophical questions arising from academic research.
23. Think and write broadly about large themes.
24. Develop and deploy argument, grounded in theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence
25. Identify problems of reliability and bias in, and more generally evaluate, empirical evidence

ILOs 13-20 are developed throughout the programme by means of lectures, discussion in seminars and study-groups, the preparation and delivery of oral presentations in seminars and the writing of essays. In stages 2 and 3 you are expected to prepare longer and more sophisticated seminar presentations, and, in the final stage, to write longer essays in order further to develop these skills. Also in the final stage seminars are normally 2 hours in length and form the primary teaching and learning medium, with a focus on developing, in the context of particular subjects, the more complex analytical skills listed opposite.

ILOs 15-25, are developed throughout the Philosophy side of the degree programme via lectures and seminars, written work and oral work (both oral presentations and class discussion). A more sophisticated use of these skills is developed in the second and final stages; in the final stage, independent use of these skills is developed through the dissertation and final stage optional modules you select.

The assessment of ILOs 13-19 is made through a combination of examinations (including essays and gobbet passages for comment); term-time essays and, in many final stage modules, the assessment of oral presentations.

In Philosophy, skills 15-25 are assessed though course essays, assessed oral presentations and examinations in stages 1-2 and through the dissertation in the final stage.

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

26. Select, organise and analyse material for written work and oral presentations of different prescribed lengths. (Phil. 23.2)
27. Present an argument orally in a clear, organised and effective manner (Phil. 26.8).
28. Present an argument in a written form in a clear and organised manner, with appropriate use of correct English (CAH 3.6 B9 and 3.7 B12, Phil.23.6).
29. Formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction (Phil. 23.8).
30. Undertake group work, including the presentation and discussion of challenging material in groups (Phil. 28.3).
31. Work creatively, flexibly and adaptably with others, both peers and academic staff (Phil. 27.5).
32. Demonstrate autonomy, manifested in self-direction and intellectual initiative, both in learning and study and in the management of time (CAH 3.5 B1, Phil. 27.2).
33. Evaluate and reflect on your own work (Phil.27.5)
34. Write and think under pressure and to meet deadlines (Phil. 27.3).
35. Plan the execution of demanding work based on individual research over a long time (Phil. 27.3).
36. Use a range of basic IT resources (such as e-mail and the internet) to acquire and manipulate general and subject-specific information (CAH 3.7 B15, Phil. 26.8.2).
37. Use wordprocessing and other appropriate software to create clearly presented written assignments and handouts (CAH 3.7 B15, Phil. 26.8.2).

ILOs Skills 26-27, and 29-30 are developed through the preparation and delivery of oral presentations in most modules at all stages in both sides of the programme, and through the oral discussion of challenging material in all modules in the programme.

 

ILO 30 is further developed in Classical Studies through participation in study groups with other students in most modules in the programme.

 

ILO 31 is also developed through meetings with personal tutors, one-to-one tutorials giving feedback on written work and through discussion in seminars.

 

ILOs 26, 28-29, 32, and 34 developed through written assignments (essays) and examinations in most modules at all levels.

 

ILOs 32-33 form essential parts of the successful completion of the programme but are encouraged especially through preparation for written and oral assignments and seminars. They are also promoted through the student Self-Appraisal system in the mid-semester break.

 

ILO 35 is developed through the dissertation in Classical Studies.

 

ILOs 36-37 are developed in Classical Studies through compulsory ELE assignments in tandem with the Stage 1 reflective learning notebook and in both sides of the programme through the requirement that all written work is word-processed and that the internet is used to access texts and other learning materials

ILOs Skills 26-27, and 29-31 are assessed through the summative assessment of oral presentations in the final stage (10 or 20%). This assessment may also include a formative peer evaluation element.

 

In philosophy, oral contribution to seminars and presentations are assessed formatively.

 

ILOs 26, 28-30, 32 and 34 are assessed through examinations and written work at all levels and in all modules (also the dissertation but without examination).

 

ILO 35 is assessed by the dissertation in either subject.

 

ILOs 36-37 are assessed through written coursework in all modules.

7. Programme Regulations

Classification

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

In addition to the centrally provided services detailed in section 9, the Department of Classics and Ancient History provides:

  • Team Skills Development Programme
  • Student Handbooks and module guides (available in print and on the department websites)
  • ELE based learning support materials and activities (Hercules)
  • Access to teaching staff – times when staff are available are posted on office doors and contact email addresses provided in student handbooks
  • Student representation at department meetings and Faculty Teaching Committee
  • Student progress review and reporting via reserved agenda items at department meetings

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.

10. Admissions Criteria

Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

(Quality Review Framework.

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

0

18. Final Award

BA (Hons) Classical Studies and Philosophy

19. UCAS Code

QVV5

20. NQF Level of Final Award

6 (Honours)

21. Credit

CATS credits ECTS credits

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

[Honours] Philosophy
[Honours] Classics and ancient history (including Byzantine Studies and Modern Greek)

23. Dates

Origin Date

01/09/2011

 Date of last revision

27/03/2023