External summary

The MSc in Classics offers a rigorous programme of study of the literature and language, history, and archaeology of the classical world. The multi-disciplinary nature of the programme affords the opportunity to acquire a rounded view of the origins of European civilisation through the combination of philological, historical and archaeological inquiry.

The remains of the Graeco-Roman world, material and textual, are both sparse and richly varied. Even with increasing specialisation within Classics, especially at research level, it is possible and important to explore that intrinsically interesting world from several different disciplinary angles in order to gain a full and balanced understanding of the Greek and Roman civilisations which, though remote in time, are still highly significant for us today.

At Edinburgh, the Subject Area of Classics can offer teaching at MSc level in all the main areas of classical studies, including Greek and Latin languages and literature, classical art and archaeology, and ancient history. Our special areas of expertise include such diverse fields as the study of late antiquity, art history, ancient philosophy, Hellenistic poetry, Roman politics and imperialism, and Persia. Within the available resources, students can tailor their study programme in consultation with the Programme Director. Weekly research seminars in the Subject Area of Classics as well as regular international conferences and workshops within the School provide additional space for thought and exchange, and intellectual development, for students on this programme.

Educational aims of programme

This programme aims to introduce students of Ancient History, Classical Archaeology/Art and Greek and Latin Languages and Literature to an advanced study of the Graeco-Roman world. Its principal aim is to take advantage of the complementary expertise of members of staff in Classics in order to provide an inter-disciplinary curriculum. The programme is designed for a variety of applicants, such as ancient historians, archaeologists and art historians, and Greek and Latin philologists; it offers linguistic training at various levels. Participants will be provided with the suitable training in research methodology and resources for further postgraduate research at doctoral level.

The degree provides students with a programme enabling them (depending on options chosen):

• To acquire the skills for advanced study of one or more of the following areas of research, and to further our knowledge in one or more of the following areas of research:

• ancient Greek and/or Latin languages and literature

• Greek and/or Roman history

• Greek and/or Roman art

• Greek and/or Roman archaeology

To be able to complete a well-researched and intelligible dissertation and relevant essays within their chosen area(s) of expertise.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

Graduates from the MSc in Classics will possess and demonstrate

• an advanced understanding of other cultures, their histories, literatures, and/or material records, and ways of critically engaging with them

• an advanced appreciation of the interaction and links among the different areas of classical scholarship and of the diversity of methodological and theoretical approaches in the study of the various subjects within Classics

• an advanced understanding of the different value of various bodies of evidence for the study of different problems and topics

• an advanced understanding and critical appreciation of the thoughts, beliefs, ideas and concepts held in classical antiquity as expressed in the literature, history and/or material culture of ancient society as well as a sophisticated understanding of a range of viewpoints on problems of interpretation and evaluation of the past

• an advanced understanding of (esp.) economic, legal, social, cultural, ethical, and political responsibilities and issues surrounding the study of the past and its applications

• an improved understanding of the role of the past and its study in the shaping of class, ethnic, gender, national and other identities with current, sometimes sensitive relevance

• an improved understanding of how to enjoy the life of the mind with particular reference to an intellectual engagement with the ancient world

And, depending on option choices:

• a high grasp and outstanding knowledge of one or more of the following areas of research:

• ancient Greek and/or Latin languages and literature

• Greek and/or Roman history

• Greek and/or Roman art

• Greek and/or Roman archaeology

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

Graduates from the MSc in Classics will possess and demonstrate

• an advanced ability to draw valid conclusions about one or more of the following areas of study of the Graeco-Roman past:

• ancient Greek and/or Latin languages and literature

• Greek and/or Roman history

• Greek and/or Roman art

• Greek and/or Roman archaeology

• an  advanced ability to apply philological, historical and/or archaeological knowledge in the study and interpretation of textual and/or material sources

• an advanced ability to analyse and comment on the thoughts, beliefs, ideas and concepts of ancient voices with due consideration of their social, political and historical contexts and of pertinent secondary literature

• an advanced ability to identify, define and analyse problems and issues pertaining to the study of the ancient world through the collection and interpretation of often complex and difficult primary source material

• an advanced ability to exercise critical judgement in the evaluation of the opinions and arguments of other scholaars of the classical world in one or more of the following areas of research:

• ancient Greek and/or Latin as well as ancient Greek and/or Latin literature

• Greek and/or Roman history

• Greek and/or Roman art

• Greek and/or Roman archaeology

• an advanced ability to think creatively and imaginatively in order to solve difficult philological, historical and/or archaeological problems with often scanty and/or diverse evidence

• an advanced ability to formulate own questions of the classical past, and to search for, evaluate and successfully employ ancient source material and/or modern theories in answering these questions

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

Graduates from the MSc in Classics will possess and demonstrate

• a high ability to exercise informed critical judgement regarding the study of one or more of the following areas of research:

• ancient Greek and/or Latin languages and literature

• Greek and/or Roman history

• Greek and/or Roman art

• Greek and/or Roman archaeology

• a high ability to organise complex and lengthy arguments pertaining to the study of the ancient world and to present well-reasoned conclusions

• a high ability to gather and evaluate complex and variegated data independently, and to organise this into complex and lengthy arguments of a philological, historical and/or archaeological nature

• an advanced ability to formulate their own opinion on the basis of the ancient evidence, textual and/or material, that is new or different to the views expressed by others

• an advanced ability to test, modify and strengthen their own views through collaboration and debate with peers and seniors

• an advanced ability to turn intellectual curiosity in the ancient world into the responsible study of and research on an important aspect of the human past, and to relate that past to their own place in the world

• an advanced ability to analyse how national, cultural, social and/or political assumptions and viewpoints can influence the study of the ancient world and the roles and places of the different elements that made up the ancient world

• an advanced ability to reflect on the role of the ancient world, its images, thoughts, words, and actions, and its influence on the modern world

• an advanced ability to reflect on the role of scholarly inquiry into the classical past in the making of the modern world

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

Graduates from the MSc in Classics will possess and demonstrate

• an advanced ability to make effective use of oral, written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding
• an advanced ability to marshal argument lucidly, coherently and concisely, be it in writing or in speaking
• an advanced ability to think on their feet when presented with unexpected and/or unusual evidence, questions or topics and to propose remedies and answers in a clear and persuasive manner in the time given, be it in class, a research seminar or a postgraduate forum
• an advanced ability to present their views in collaboration with others, both in group discussion and in joint presentations
• an advanced ability to present lucidly the results of investigation to specialists and non-specialists alike, orally or in written form, be it in class, at postgraduate meetings, or in a public forum

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

Graduates from the MSc in Classics will possess and demonstrate

• an advanced ability to work independently and investigate purposefully
• an advanced ability to approach intellectual challenges with academic rigour and mental agility
• an advanced ability to think under pressure when addressing often difficult questions
• an advanced ability to manage and meet firm deadlines and to organise their own learning and workload to that effect
• an advanced ability to contribute to wider debates and issues on the basis of their knowledge and understanding of the ancient world that shows a high level of social responsibility and a commitment to social fairness
• an advanced ability to collaborate effectively with others, including peers and academic seniors, capitalising deliberately on diversities of thinking, experience and skills in ways that value personal difference

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

Graduates from the MSc in Classics will possess and demonstrate

• a high command of bibliographical and library research skills, as well as a range of skills in reading and textual analysis

• an advanced ability to explore and use a range of research resources, such as libraries, archives, museums, etc.
• an advanced ability to employ a range of electronic resources and presentation aids, and means of electronic communication (e.g. electronic databases, powerpoint, wikis, etc.)

Programme structure and features

The MSc in Classics offers a rigorous academic programme of study that enhances students understanding of issues of equality and diversity through the study of a culture that is different to our own, including its language, its material culture, its political system, etc. Students on this programme are required to conceptualise their own place in today’s world against the backdrop of a world that is not only very different to our own, but that has left a sustained legacy to the modern world in the form of its cultural, philosophical and similar achievements.

Structure and SCQF credit values

Students on the MSc in Classics are required to satisfy the programme requirements as laid out below. The SCQF credit level of the courses offered on this programme is SCQF Level 11. In exceptional circumstances and with the agreement of the Programme Director, the Classics Graduate Director and the Head of Classics, up to 20 credits may be taken from SCQF credit level 10.

Structure and credit values

There are two required research training courses (Postgraduate Skills and Methods; and Classics Methodology Seminars; 20 credits each); these are specially designed for classicists and aim to introduce you to areas of the discipline beyond your own specialities and to help you with the practical skills of finding and presenting information.

In addition to these you choose a further four courses from a list of options (worth 20 credits each and normally examined by essays of 3500-4000 words). These enable you to work with increasing independence on advanced scholarship and prepare you for the final stage of the Masters, the dissertation (60 credits).

Courses that may be available:

The dissertation (60 credits) is 12-15,000 words in length and is an independent research project supervised by one member (or two if appropriate) of the academic staff. You have considerable freedom to define your own dissertation project — so long as it is a feasible project that falls within the expertise available in the subject area.

Progression requirements

Following the coursework stage (based on semester one and two courses), the Board of Examiners meets in May and is responsible for deciding whether students have satisfied the requirements of the Diploma stage of the programme and whether candidates can progress to the dissertation stage of candidature for the Masters programme.

In order to progress to the masters dissertation candidates

• attain at least 80 credits with a pass at masters level or more in each of the separate elements and

• be awarded an aggregate pass at masters level for the 120 credits of study in semesters one and two

Learning outcomes and assessment practices

The programme's outcomes, detailed above, are assessed by means of coursework for the courses taken and the dissertation. Coursework will total approximately 15,000 words, while the dissertation is 12-15,000 words.

Modes of study

The programme may be taken full time over twelve months or part-time over twenty-four months.

Exit awards

Requirements for the Award of the Diploma

In order to be awarded the diploma candidates must:

• attain at least 80 credits with a pass at diploma level or more in each of the separate elements and

• be awarded an aggregate pass at diploma level for the 120 credits of study examined for the diploma

Requirements for the Award of the MSc

In order to be awarded a masters degree candidates must:

• have satisfied the requirements for progression, as laid out above, and

• attain 60 credits, by achieving a pass at masters level for the dissertation

Requirements of the Award of the MSc with Distinction

The Masters degree may be awarded with distinction. To achieve a distinction, a student must have been awarded at least 70% on the University’s Postgraduate Common Marking Scheme for the dissertation and must also have been awarded a mark of at least 69% for the coursework element.

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Teaching and Learning strategies employed at the University of Edinburgh consist of a variety of different methods appropriate to the programme aims. The graduate attributes listed above are met through a teaching and learning framework (detailed below) which is appropriate to the level and content of the course.

Teaching and Learning Activities

Seminars

Practicals and museum/site visits

Language classes and tutorials

Assessment methods and strategies

Assessment

Courses can be assessed by a diverse range of methods and often takes the form of formative work which provides the student with on-going feedback as well as summative assessment which is submitted for credit. 

Various assessment methods are used dependent on course options taken, but may include essays and written exams.

Career opportunities

The MSc in Classics offers a rigorous programme of study of the literature, language, history, and archaeology of the classical world.  This programme provides an academic experience for those who wish to undertake a taught course at postgraduate level, and for those who require training in research methodology and the confidence it provides as the grounding for further study at doctoral level.  It might also provide a foundation for careers in related areas such as museum work, the cultural heritage industry, or education for example. 

However, having chosen courses of interest to them, each graduate’s programme will be different, and a further element of personalisation will have been provided by their dissertation topic.  Outlined in this DPS are a range of specific skills and abilities they have the potential to develop.  Graduates may also combine skills gained from their undergraduate studies, along with other non-academic experience, to decide on their next steps. 

Subsequently, graduates from this programme go into work in a wide variety of job sectors and roles, or further study and vocational training.  Given that the career options are broad, an ability to identify their individual interests, motivations and skill set, to research opportunities, and gather sufficient relevant experience  is key to success.  For information and support with career planning, consult the postgraduate section of the Careers Service website:  www.ed.ac.uk/careers/postgrad

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