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Structure
Specializations
Master’s thesis
Requirements for graduation
Sector plan
Co-ordinator of Studies: Classics
Structure
The Master Classics and Ancient Civilizations (1 year, study load: 60 EC) offers a comprehensive teaching programme which comprises all cultures of the Mediterranean sea in antiquity. The programme introduces a wide variety of research methods: traditional philology with its intimate knowledge of languages and texts, while still indispensable, is enriched by social history and economic theory, comparative literature, the study of religion in an anthropological perspective and, of course, archaeology and material culture.
Specializations
The Master has four specializations, all of which focus on reading ancient texts in their original languages and discussing the interpretations these texts give rise to. Ranging from the sources of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and the Roman Empire to the medieval texts in Neo-Latin, Coptic and Hebrew: Assyriology, Classics, Egyptology, and Hebrew and Aramaic Languages and Cultures.
The specialization Classics provides students with a comprehensive view of the classical world, while defining the significance it still has for modern society. The programme includes Greek and Latin literature and/or linguistics, and a limited number of courses from the cultural-historical disciplines. Students are required to take at least 45 EC (including a Master’s thesis of 20 EC) in Greek and Latin literature or linguistics, and they are required to take at least one course (seminars/tutorials) of 10 EC for each language. The programme also contains an elective course, in which cultural-historical subjects (Ancient History, Classical Archeology, or Ancient Philosophy) and/or languages may be included. More information
This programme structure meets the nationally determined requirements for admission to the Teachers Training programme Classics (in Dutch). The academically more advanced cultural-historical element in the Master’s programme, and the requirements of the Greek/Latin language component provide an adequate basis for the Teachers Training programme Classics required for a qualification for teaching Greek and Latin in secondary school.
For more information on the other three specializations, see Classics and Ancient Civilizations.
Master’s thesis
The thesis for the Master’s programme Classics and Ancient Civilizations is worth 20 EC, and contains a maximum of 20,000 words including notes, bibliography and appendices. More information about the official regulations regarding the MA thesis (attachment of the Teaching and Examination Regulations).
Classics: Students write their thesis under supervision of one of the staff members of the Department of Classics possessing the appropriate expertise in the field addressed in the thesis; a second supervisor – the second reader – will be indicated by the supervisor in consultation with the student.
All theses are based on a substantial amount of primary texts in Greek or Latin relevant to the line of investigation, which is either of a linguistic or literary nature, or of a cultural-historical nature; in the case of the latter, there are two supervisors, one from one of the language sections and one from the cultural-historical disciplines. In that case, the thesis plan must be approved by both the first and the second supervisor/reader before the start of the writing process.
Requirements for graduation
In order to graduate, students must have successfully completed the 60 EC programme of their specialization and have completed their Master’s thesis as a component of that programme.
Sector plan
The Master’s specialization track Classics is part of the Sector plan and is offered in close collaboration with the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and the Vrije Universiteit (VU). Students can choose from all the courses on offer within the Sector plan, both in Leiden and at the sister institutions. However, at least 40 EC of the 60 EC programme (including the thesis) must consist of courses offered by Leiden University. For more information about the procedures regarding the Sector plan, please contact the Students’ Counsellor of Classics or check this website.
Co=ordinator of Studies: Classics
J.K. Koning MA
Phone: +31 (0)71 527 2665
Office hours: Tuesday – Friday
Consultation hours: Wednesday 3.30-4.15pm and Thursday 12.15-1.00pm
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