Programme Specification for the 2024/5 academic year
BA (Hons) Classical Studies and Theology with Employment Experience
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | BA (Hons) Classical Studies and Theology with Employment Experience | Programme code | UFA4CTHCTH17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time Part Time |
Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 6 (Honours) |
2. Description of the Programme
The BA (Hons) Classical Studies and Theology with Employment Experience connects the earliest branch of the humanities with one of the most stimulating and challenging programmes of study. A degree in Classics at Exeter enables you to understand an ancient world that has fundamentally impacted the society we live in today, whilst Theology puts emphasis on how religious faith, practice and experience has shaped the world we live in.
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.
In Theology, you will expand on your classical studies to look at the bible, Judaism and Christianity, religious philosophy, science and religion, theology and art. You will cover a range of disciplines such as history, literary criticism, language study, sociology, anthropology and art history to seek answers to some of the greatest unknowns facing humanity. Is there a meaning and purpose to our existence? Is there a God or gods? How do we decide what is right or wrong in relation to war and peace, birth and death, sex and the environment? With the support of our talented and enthusiastic staff, you will gain the confidence to pose complex ethical and philosophical questions that tackle areas of controversy. By critically analysing sources, interpreting and translating religious texts and understanding objects and practices in sacred and secular settings, you will learn to form and express opinions to draw insights into issues of the modern day.
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 the Civil Service, finance, education, law and journalism with organisations like the NHS, St Monica Trust, Parliament, British Armed Forces and Accenture.
This programme is studied over four years. The first two years and the final year are university-based, and the third year is spent gaining employment experience at a suitable location in the UK.
This Employment Experience variant of the programme is a great way to incorporate graduate-level work placement or placements undertaken in the United Kingdom directly into your programme of study, to reflect critically upon these experiences, and for them to count towards the assessment of your degree. There is no better way to gain valuable employment experience that can be rewarded and recognised clearly by future employers. With preparation, support and approval from the College of Humanities, you can also demonstrate adaptability and resourcefulness by organising suitable placements in areas of employment related to your interests and potential future career.
You are required to find your own placement with suitable employers and organisations with preparation, support and approval from the College of Humanities. If you are taking this variant you are strongly encouraged to take HUM2000 or HUM2001 (Humanities in the Workplace) at stage 2 and must participate in the pre-departure briefing sessions for Humanities Employment Experience.
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 structured framework of study which ensures that within the timespan of the programme you follow a balanced and complementary range of modules in the two disciplines, whilst allowing sufficient choice to ensure that you are able to follow individual pathways of learning.
- Enable you to develop (at least) familiarity with Ancient Greek or Latin language relevant to an understanding and appreciation of the literature, history and cultures of Greece and Rome.
- Introduce you to a varied body of literary, cultural, political and philosophical works of Greece and Rome.
- 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.
- In biblical studies, promote study of the text in depth in relation to contexts of interpretation, in the original languages where practicable.
- In historical and systematic theology, offer the study of Christian theological thought, and particular periods in depth in relation to their contexts, using primary as well as secondary texts (generally in translation).
- 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.
- Incorporate a work experience placement into your degree programme
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.
Classical Studies modules https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=classics-ancient
Theology & Religion modules https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=theology-religion
For further information on which level Classical Languages and Texts module you should take, please see our Classics Language Ladder and Studying Ancient Languages guide
You are expected to balance your credits in each stage of the programme, taking 60 credits from Classical Studies, and 60 credits from Theology. 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 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
45 credits of compulsory modules, 75 credits of optional modules (including 30 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 45 credits of Theology and Religion modules)
The first year gives you a foundational knowledge of Classical Studies and Theology theory, concepts, and texts. You will also gain important analytical techniques that will be useful across a range of subjects and research tasks.
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.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLA1005 | Greek and Roman Narrative [See note a above] | 30 | No |
| CLA1006 | Greek and Roman Drama [See note a above] | 30 | No |
| THE1110 | The History of Early Christianities | 15 | No |
| HAS1905 | Employment Experience HASS | 0 | No |
Optional Modules
b - select 30 credits of Classical Studies modules from this list.
c - select 45 credits of Theology and Religion modules from this list.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient History and Classical Studies Combined Hons Stage 1 Option Modules 2024-5 [See note b 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 |
| Theology and Religion stage 1 option modules 2024-5 [See note c above] | |||
| THE1076 | Religion in the Modern World | 15 | No |
| THE1103 | Introducing Christian Theologies | 15 | No |
| THE1101 | The Bible: Past and Present | 15 | No |
| THE1109 | Introduction to the History and Literatures of the Bible | 15 | No |
| THE1072 | Introducing Biblical Hebrew | 15 | No |
| THE2035 | Intermediate Biblical Hebrew | 15 | No |
| ARA1018 | Introduction to Islam | 15 | No |
| ARA1041 | Religious Communities of the Middle East: Culture, Endangerment and Survival | 15 | No |
Stage 2
30 credits of compulsory modules, 90 credits of optional modules (including 30 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 60 credits of Theology and Religion modules)
In the second year you will advance your grasp of classics knowledge, methods, and texts through a set of compulsory modules. Optional modules enable you to develop specialist knowledge on a range of topics.
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.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLA2005 | Greek and Roman Narrative [See note d above] | 30 | No |
| CLA2006 | Greek and Roman Drama [See note d above] | 30 | No |
| HAS2905 | Employment Experience HASS | 0 | No |
Optional Modules
e - select 30 credits of Classical Studies modules from this list.
f - select 60 credits of Theology and Religion modules from this list.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient History Stage 2 Option Modules 2024-5 [See note e 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 |
| Theology and Religion stage 2 option modules 2024-5 [See note f above] | |||
| THE2044 | Reading New Testament Letters | 30 | No |
| THE2228 | Criminal Justice in Religious and Philosophical Perspectives | 30 | No |
| THE2218 | The Invention of God | 30 | No |
| THE2231 | History of Encounters Between Philosophy and Theology | 30 | No |
| THE2026 | Postcolonial Theology | 30 | No |
| THE2230 | Conflicts and Encounters between Religions: War, Peace, Politics and the Quest for Dialogue | 30 | No |
| THE2219 | Religion and Holocaust Memory in Public Life | 30 | No |
| THE2229 | Syriac Christianity: Monks, Monasteries and Mimre | 30 | No |
Stage 3
120 credit compulsory placement module
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HUM3998 | Employment Experience UK | 120 | Yes |
Stage 4
30 credits of compulsory dissertation, 90 credits of optional modules (including 30-60 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 30-60 credits of Theology and Religion modules)
You will have the choice of a range of specialist modules, including the opportunity to take a dissertation module, to create a programme of work fully reflecting your interests and providing you with the opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned over the previous years of your degree.
Compulsory Modules
g - You must select either CLA3009 or THE3082 (you cannot take both modules).
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLA3009 | Dissertation [See note g above] | 30 | No |
| THE3082 | Theology Dissertation [See note g above] | 30 | No |
Optional Modules
If you select CLA3009, you must take 60 credits of options from the Theology and Religion list. If you select THE3082, you must take 60 credits of options from the Classical Studies list.
| Code | Module | 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 |
| Theology and Religion Final stage option modules 2024-5 | |||
| THE3044 | Reading New Testament Letters | 30 | No |
| THE3228 | Criminal Justice in Religious and Philosophical Perspectives | 30 | No |
| THE3218 | The Invention of God | 30 | No |
| THE3231 | History of Encounters Between Philosophy and Theology | 30 | No |
| THE3026 | Postcolonial Theology | 30 | No |
| THE3230 | Conflicts and Encounters between Religions: War, Peace, Politics and the Quest for Dialogue | 30 | No |
| THE3219 | Religion and Holocaust Memory in Public Life | 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. | ILOs 1-8 form the basis of the programme at 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, text comment, 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). Tutorials are used to discuss essay topics, either individually or in small groups. | The assessment of ILOs 1-8 is made through a combination of examinations (including essays and gobbet or text passages for comment); essays and, in many final stage modules, the assessment of oral presentations. |
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: | |
9. Analyse critically individual texts and combine those analyses to demonstrate understanding of the development of literary genres. | These skills 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 the second and final stages you are expected to prepare longer and more sophisticated seminar presentations, and 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 their particular subjects, the more complex analytical skills listed opposite. ILO 16 is developed through feedback on written work (normally delivered one-to-one, as well as in written form in the final stage). | The assessment of ILOs 9-19 is made through a combination of examinations (including essays and gobbet or text passages for comment); essays and, in many final stage modules, the assessment of oral presentations. |
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: | |
20. Present an argument orally in a clear, organised and effective manner. | ILOs 20, 24-25, and 29-30 are developed through the preparation and delivery of oral presentations in most modules at all levels, and through the oral discussion of challenging material in all modules in the programme, in both seminars and tutorials. ILO 22 is developed through participation in study groups with other students in most modules in the programme. It is also developed through meetings with personal tutors, one-to-one tutorials giving feedback on written work and through discussion in seminars. ILOs 21, 25 and 29 are developed through examinations at all levels and through written assignments at all levels. ILO 23 is an essential part of the successful completion of the programme but is encouraged through preparation for written and oral assignments, general preparation for seminars and language classes and through the stage 1 reflective learning notebook. It may be further developed through the optional dissertation module. ILOs 26-27 are developed through compulsory oral presentations supported by hand-outs and through the requirement that all written work is word-processed. ILO 28 is developed through researching essays, seminar presentations, and the dissertation (if chosen). | ILOs 20, 22, 24-25, 27, and 29-30 are assessed through the summative assessment of seminar presentations. ILOs 21, 25, and 29-30 are assessed through examinations and written work at all levels and in all modules. ILO 26 is assessed through the successful completion of the ELE assignments. ILOs 27-28 are assessed primarily through written coursework. ILO 31 is specifically related to the employment experience module. |
7. Programme Regulations
Programme-specific Progression Rules
To progress to Stage 2 you must also achieve an average mark of at least 50% in Stage 1, otherwise you will be required to transfer to the relevant three-year programme. This is to ensure that only those students who are likely to succeed in their Year Abroad are selected.
HUM3998 Employment Experience counts as a single 120-credit module and is not condonable; you must pass this module to graduate with the degree title of BA Classical Studies and Theology with Employment Experience. If you fail the Employment Experience your degree title will be commuted to BA Classical Studies and Theology.
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.
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 Theology with Employment Experience
19. UCAS Code
QV87
20. NQF Level of Final Award
6 (Honours)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
[Honours] Classics and ancient history (including Byzantine Studies and Modern Greek)
[Honours] Theology and religious studies
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 22/08/2017 |
Date of last revision | 27/03/2023 |
|---|
