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).

On successful completion of this major, students will be able to:

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

A major in Classics in the Bachelor of Arts consists of 100 points in total and comprising:

Level 1
25 points (2 x 12.5 points)

Level 2
37.50 points (3x 12.5 points)

Level 3
37.50 points (3x 12.50 points)

The major must comprise a minimum of 62.5 points of Ancient Greek and/or Latin subjects, and may include a maximum of 37.5 points taken from the Ancient World Studies program.

Total 100 points

A minor in Classics consists of 75 points and comprises:

Level 1
25 points (2x 12.5 points)

Level 2
25 points (2x 12.5 points)

Level 3
25 points (2x 12.5 points)

The minor must comprise of 50 points of Ancient Greek and/ or Latin subjects and may include a maximum of 25 points taken from the Ancient World Studies program.

Total 75 points

LATIN ENTRY POINT 1

Level 1 Subjects

Students intending to complete a Classics major or minor commencing at Latin entry point 1 Latin 1 need to complete either:

• Intensive Beginners Latin (25 points); or
• Both of Latin 1 and Latin 2 (25 points)

Level 2 Subjects

Students completing a Classics major commencing at Latin entry point 1 are required to complete 37.50 points at level 2. Students also need to select one level 2 elective from Ancient World Studies program or one level 2 Ancient Greek Elective.

Students completing a Classics minor are required to complete 25 points at level 2.

Level 3 Subjects

Students completing a Classics major commencing at entry point 1 are required to complete 37.5 points at level 3. Students may select one level 3 elective from the Ancient World Studies major or one level 3 Ancient Greek Elective.

Students undertaking a Classics minor are only required to complete 25 points at level 3.

LATIN ENTRY POINT 3

Level 1 Subjects

Students intending to complete a Classics major commencing at Latin entry point 3 must have completed VCE Latin or equivalent. Students commencing a Classics major at Latin entry point 3 are also required to study Ancient Greek. Students who have no prior knowledge of Ancient Greek will need to commence this at level 1.

Students completing a major or minor are required to complete a minimum of 25 points at level 1.

Level 2 Subjects

Students undertaking a Classics major commencing at Latin entry point 3 are required to complete a minimum of 37.50 points of language subjects. Students may select one level 2 elective from the Ancient World Studies program.

Students undertaking a Classics minor are required to complete 25 points at level 2.

Level 3 Subjects

Students undertaking a Classics major commencing at Latin entry point 3 are required to complete 37.5 points at level 3. Students may select one level 3 elective from the Ancient World Studies program.

Students undertaking a Classics minor are only required to take 25 points at level 3.

ANCIENT GREEK ENTRY POINT 1

Level 1 Subjects

Students completing a major or minor in Classics, commencing at Ancient Greek entry point 1 are required to complete 25 points at level 1:

• Ancient Greek 1 and Ancient Greek 2 (25 points); or
• Intensive Ancient Greek 1 and Ancient Greek 2 (25 points).

Level 2 Subjects

Students undertaking a Classics major commencing at Ancient Greek entry point 1 are required to complete 37.50 points of level 2. Students may also select one level 2 elective from the Ancient World Studies program, or one level 2 Latin elective.

Students completing the Classics minor are only required to complete 25 points at level 2.

Level 3 Subjects

Students intending to complete a Classics major commencing at Ancient Greek entry point 1 are required to complete 37.50 points of level 3. Students may also select one level 3 elective from the Ancient World Studies program, or one level 3 Latin elective.

Students completing the Classics minor are only required to complete 25 points at level 3.

ANCIENT GREEK ENTRY POINT 3

Level 1 Subjects

Students intending to complete a Classcics major commencing at Ancient Greek entry point 3 must have completed VCE Ancient Greek or equivalent. Students commencing a classics major at Ancient Greek entry point 3 are also required to study Latin.

Students who have no prior knowledge of Latin will need to commence this at level 1. Students completing a major or minor are required to complete a minimum of 25 points at level 1.

Level 2 Subjects

Students undertaking a Classics major commencing at Ancient Greek entry point 3 are required to complete a minimum of 37.50 points of language subjects. Students may select one level 2 elective from the Ancient World Studies program.

Students undertaking a Classics minor are required to complete 25 points at level 2.

Level 3 Subjects

Students undertaking a Classics major commencing at Ancient Greek entry point 3 are required to complete 37.5 points of level 3. Students may select one level 3 elective from the Ancient World Studies program

Students undertaking a Classics minor are only required to take 25 points at level 3.