Classics

Classics is the study of the languages Ancient Greek and Latin, which have been taught at the University of Melbourne since its very foundation and have been a core element of higher education for many centuries. The overall objective of the Classics program is to introduce students to key literary texts from classical antiquity (including history, drama, oratory, philosophy, epic, and lyric poetry), and to enable students to discover the many important contributions which reading ancient texts in the original languages can make to understanding both the ancient world and the Western tradition. A knowledge of Ancient Greek and Latin is also very useful for research and training in such related disciplines as biochemistry, medicine, the history and philosophy of science, archaeology, Biblical studies, history, philosophy, art history, Romance language studies, English literary studies, and music. Students who major in Classics may progress through one or both of these languages from beginners level (entry point 1) and are encouraged to take subjects in both languages. Students who have completed one of these languages at VCE may begin studying the language at entry point 3 and are required to commence studying the other classical language at level 1 (entry point 1).

Students who complete the Graduate Diploma in Arts in this area of specialisation should:

• apply appropriate skills and methodologies for the reading and translating of Ancient Greek and Latin texts;
• demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the vocabulary, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics of the Ancient Greek and Latin languages;
• demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the literature of ancient Greece and Rome in the original languages;
• identify and engage critically with scholarship in the field of Classics;
• approach all evidence about classical literatures, cultures and societies with intellectual honesty and a respect for ethical values;
• articulate the relationship between different classical Greek and Latin texts and the social, historical and cultural contexts that produced them;
• communicate translations and interpretations of classical Greek and Latin texts effectively, both orally and in writing;
• work effectively, in groups and independently, to identify, discuss and critically analyse key issues in the interpretation of classical Greek and Latin texts.

Duration: The Graduate Diploma in Arts in this area of specialisation is only available part-time and normally takes 2 - 3 years to complete. This specialisation is not available to international students.

Students are to complete the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Classics) in the stream appropriate to their background in the languages.

There are four standard entry points:

• Ancient Greek Entry Point 1 & Latin Entry Point 1: for students with no or very little previous knowledge of Ancient Greek & Latin
• Ancient Greek Entry Point 1 & Latin Entry Point 3: for students with Latin VCE score at least 25, or equivalent previous study of Latin; and no previous knowledge of Ancient Greek.
• Ancient Greek Entry Point 3 & Latin Entry Point 1: for studentswho have passed VCE Ancient Greek, or done previous study of Ancient Greek; and have no previous knowledge of Latin.
• Ancient Greek Entry Point 3 & Latin Entry Point 3: for students with Latin VCE score at least 25, or equivalent previous study of Latin; and who have passed VCE Ancient Greek, or done previous study of Ancient Greek.

Please note: Placement tests will be offered to verify entry level.

The Graduate Diploma in Arts in this area of specialisation requires:

Ancient Greek Entry Point 1 & Latin Entry Point 1

• six compulsory subjects (75 points)
• two core subjects (25 points)

Please note: This course will take 4 semesters to complete, and students must begin in first semester or summer semester.

Ancient Greek Entry Point 1 & Latin Entry Point 3

• eight compulsory subjects (100 points)

Please note: This course will take 4 semesters to complete, and students must begin in first semester.

Ancient Greek Entry Point 3 & Latin Entry Point 1

• eight compulsory subjects (100 points)

Please note: This course will take 4 semesters to complete, and students must begin in first semester or summer semester.

Ancient Greek Entry Point 3 & Latin Entry Point 3

• six compulsory subjects (75 points)

• two core subjects (25 points)

Please note: This course will take 4 semesters to complete, and students may begin in either semester.

Total 100 points

Ancient Greek Entry Point 1 & Latin Entry Point 1: Compulsory Subjects

This course will take 4 semesters to complete, and students must begin in first semester or summer semester.

Students are to complete:

• six compulsory subjects (75 points)

Please note:

• CLAS10003/ 20021/ 30004 Intensive Beginners Latin (summer semester, 25 pts.) can be substituted for CLAS10006 Latin 1 & CLAS10007 Latin 2
• CLAS10022/ 20035/ 30045 Intensive Ancient Greek 1 (June, 12.5 pts.) can be substituted for CLAS10004 Ancient Greek 1

Ancient Greek Entry Point 1 & Latin Entry Point 1: Core Subjects

This course will take 4 semesters to complete, and students must begin in first semester or summer semester.

Students are to complete:

• two core subjects (25 points)

Ancient Greek Entry Point 1 & Latin Entry Point 3

This course will take 4 semesters to complete, and students must begin in first semester.

Students are to complete:

• eight compulsory subjects.

Please note:

• CLAS10022/ 20035/ 30045 Intensive Ancient Greek 1 (winter term, 12.5 pts.) can be substituted for CLAS10004 Ancient Greek 1

Ancient Greek Entry Point 3 & Latin Entry Point 1

This course will take 4 semesters to complete, and students must begin in first semester or summer semester.

Students are to complete:

• eight compulsory subjects.

Please note:

• CLAS10003/ 20021/ 30004 Intensive Beginners Latin (summer semester, 25 pts.) can be substituted for CLAS10006 Latin 1 & CLAS 10007 Latin 2

Ancient Greek Entry Point 3 & Latin Entry Point 3: Compulsory Subjects

This course will take 4 semesters to complete, and students may begin in either semester.

Students are to complete:

• six compulsory subjects (75 points)

Ancient Greek Entry Point 3 & Latin Entry Point 3: Core Subjects

This course will take 4 semesters to complete, and students must begin in first semester or summer semester.

Students are to complete:

• two core subjects (25 points)