External summary

The study of the history of the ancient Greeks and Romans is a cornerstone of modern historical inquiry and classical scholarship. It is of particular educational value in that it provides material for the development of the disciplinary skills of the historian, in a context which requires the careful interpretation of scanty and complex evidence to understand peoples who are chronologically remote but highly significant for the modern world.  It is therefore both intellectually demanding and intrinsically interesting. In addition to the study of the Greek and Roman civilisations, we offer the study of other ancient peoples and civilisations, such as the Persians, the Carthaginians, the various peoples of Italy as well as post-classical, i.e. late antique topics, either as part of the general study of ancient history at sub-honours level, and/or in more specialised study at honours level. Students are thus required to contextualise Graeco-Roman history within its wider Mediterranean context and to appreciate the early history of the geography we call Europe in relation to other histories and peoples. Students will also be challenged to consider the roles and places of sub-groups and individuals in the history of these ancient civilisations. The study context and content of the MA in Ancient History thus demands of students to conceptualise aspects of (e.g., social, political, economic, religious, etc.) equality and diversity in a direct and reflective manner, and fosters an attitude of social responsibility through the comparative consideration of different civilisations, peoples, communities, groups, sub-groups and individuals.

Educational aims of programme

The programme aims

• to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the histories and societies of the Greek and Roman civilisations in the classical period;
• to enable students to place this knowledge into the wider Mediterranean context that has produced the Greek and Roman civilisations;
• to enable the student to identify and analyse for these purposes a variety of different forms of evidence (literary, epigraphic, papyrological and archaeological);
• to provide the intellectual tools with which to apply such evidence to the investigation, understanding and critical evaluation of the social, economic, political and religious structures of the ancient civilisations across an extended temporal period;
• to provide a solid methodological foundation for further research in ancient history, or for further study and research in the Arts and Humanities;
• to develop the general critical, analytical and communicative skills which prepare students for vocational training, for a wide variety of employment opportunities, and for continued life-long learning.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

Graduates from the MA in Ancient History will possess and demonstrate

• an understanding of other cultures and ways of critically engaging with them
• an understanding of the different value of various bodies of evidence for the study of different problems and topics
• an understanding of a range of viewpoints on problems of interpretation and evaluation of the past
• an understanding of (esp.) economic, legal, social, cultural, ethical, and political responsibilities and issues surrounding the study of the past and its applications
• an 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 understanding of how to enjoy the life of the mind with particular reference to an intellectual engagement with the ancient world

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

Graduates from the MA in Ancient History will possess and demonstrate

• an ability to draw valid conclusions about the Graeco-Roman past
• an ability to place the Graeco-Roman past into its Mediterranean setting
• an ability to identify, define and analyse historical problems through the collection and interpretation of a wide range of primary sources pertaining to the study of ancient history
• an ability to exercise critical judgement in the evaluation of the opinions and arguments of other ancient historians
• an ability to think creatively and imaginatively in order to solve difficult historical problems with often limited evidence
• an ability to formulate own questions of the historical past, and to search for, evaluate and successfully employ ancient evidence and/or modern theories in answering these questions

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

Graduates from the MA in Ancient History will possess and demonstrate

• an ability to organise complex and lengthy historical arguments and to present well-reasoned conclusions
• an ability to seek out source material independently and to employ that material in the analysis of problems and the answering of questions arising from the study of the ancient world
• an ability to formulate an own opinion on the basis of the ancient evidence that is new or different to the views expressed by others
• an ability to test, modify and strengthen one’s own views through collaboration and debate with peers and seniors
• an ability to turn intellectual curiosity in the ancient world into the responsible study of an important aspect of human history, and to relate that history to one’s own place in the world
• an ability to analyse how national, cultural, social 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 ability to reflect on the role of the ancient world in the making of the modern world
• an ability to reflect on the role of historical inquiry in the making of the modern world

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

Graduates from the MA in Ancient History will possess and demonstrate

• an ability to make effective use of oral, written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding
• an ability to marshal argument lucidly, coherently and concisely, be it in writing or in speaking
• an 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
• an ability to present one’s views in collaboration with others, both in group discussion and in joint presentations
• an ability to present lucidly the results of investigation to specialists and non-specialists alike, orally or in written form

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

Graduates from the MA in Ancient History will possess and demonstrate

• an ability to work independently and investigate purposefully
• an ability to approach intellectual challenges with academic rigour and mental agility
• an ability to think under pressure when addressing often difficult questions
• an ability to manage and meet firm deadlines and to organise their own learning and workload to that effect
• an 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
• an ability to collaborate effectively with others, including peers and academic seniors such as tutors and lecturers, capitalising on diversities of thinking, experience and skills in ways that value personal difference

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

Graduates from the MA in Ancient History will possess and demonstrate

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

• Modes of study: the standard mode of study for the MA in Ancient History is full-time.
• Programme-specific entry, typical programme structure and progression requirements:
• The programme is open to students with or without prior knowledge of ancient history.
• At first-year level, all students are required to successfully complete (at 40% or above) four 20-credit Classics courses that provide an introduction to the study of the ancient world (‘The Roman World 1a’; ‘The Roman World 1b’; ‘The Greek World 1a’; ‘The Greek World 1b’); students are moreover required to take a further 40 credits of their choice.
• At second-year level, students are required to complete successfully (at 50% or above at first attempt) two 20-credit courses specific to the study of ancient history (‘Ancient History 2a’; ‘Ancient History 2b’); and 80 further credits of their choice.
• At Honours level, students are required to take in each of the two Honours years 120 credits. In Year 3, 20 credits must be from ‘History in Theory’; and in Year 4, 40 credits must be from the Dissertation. In both Years 3 and 4, at least 60 credits must come from the study of ancient history.
• Assessment in the MA in Ancient History typically involves a combination of coursework and examinations. Full information on the programme and course specific learning outcomes and assessment practices are laid out clearly in the Classics Sub-Honours Handbook, the Classics Honours Handbook, and in specific course booklets available for each course of this programme.
• The range of possibilities in Years 1 and 2 enables sideways movement into and out of this particular programme as the student's preferences and aptitudes emerge, and it provides different contexts and insights which are valuable for more advanced study of Ancient History.
• SQCF credit points: courses at 1st and 2nd year level are at SQCF credit level 8; courses at Honours level are at SQCF credit level 10.
• Exit awards: the MA in Ancient History (Honours) is the typical exit award for the programme after a normal study period of four years. Students who fail to progress into Honours or who experience difficulties with the completion of their Honours programme might be able to move to a general BA in the CAHSS subject to a number of conditions as laid out from time to time by CAHSS.

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

Specific activities will vary with course options taken, but may include:

In Year 1 (core courses)

Lectures

Tutorials

In Year 2 (core courses)

Lectures

Tutorials

In Year 3

Lectures

Seminars

Film Showings

Workshops

Projects

In Year 4

Lectures

Seminars

Film Showings

Workshops

Research Project

Assessment methods and strategies

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:

In Year 1

Essays

Coursework

Tutorial work

Written Examinations

In Year 2

Essays

Coursework

Tutorial work

Written Examinations

In Year 3

Essays

Logbook/Seminar work

Seminar Presentation

Project

Group Exercise

Written Examinations

In Year 4

            Dissertation

Essays

Logbook/Seminar work

Seminar Presentation

Group Exercise

Written Examinations

Career opportunities

Classics graduates often progress to further study or careers in academia, teaching and museum work. Previous graduates have also gone on to work in law, accountancy, finance, IT, publishing or the Civil Service.

Other items

Students on all the Classics degrees can do a non-compulsory year abroad in their third year, through ERASMUS or International Exchange.