Classics PhD

The Department of Classics includes programs in Greek and Latin Language and Literature, Greco-Roman History, and Classical Archaeology. Its faculty is renowned for scholarship in all of these areas and offers graduate training that combines specialization with foundations of considerable breadth. In the first year of study, students are given the opportunity to strengthen their command of the classical languages and to survey methods, content, and issues across the field as a whole. By the second year, students will further develop distinctive areas of interest in order to undertake independent investigations.

Curriculum

Required Core (12 credits)

CL 527LEC - Hist of Greek Lit 1 Credits: 3
CL 538LEC - Hist of Latin Literature Credits: 3
CL 590LEC - Greek Syntax Stylistics Credits: 3
CL 595LEC - Latin Syntax & Stylistics Credits: 3

Ancient History Focus

Complete graduate courses sufficient to provide basic proficiency in two areas of ancient history (Greece, Rome)
Complete one graduate seminar within the two areas of ancient history
Complete one graduate course focusing on an ancient historian
Complete one graduate seminar in each of the following three areas: Mediterranean archaeology, historiography, history or anthropology outside the ancient period (the latter two may be taken outside the Department of Classics.)
Pass a translation exam in two modern languages (two of French, German, Italian or mordern Greek)
Pass a set of three general exam
Complete dissertation

Language and Literature Focus

Complete one graduate seminar in both ancient Greek language and literature and Latin language and literature
Complete one graduate survey or one graudate seminar in each of the following three areas: ancient history, Mediterranean archaeology, Linguistics or literary theory (the last may be taken ouside the Department Classics)
Pass a translation exam in two modern languages (two of French, German, Italian or mordern Greek)
Pass a set of three general exam
Complete dissertation

Mediterranean Archaeology Focus

Complete one graduate survey course in each of two area of Mediterranean archaeology (Greece, Rome)
Complete two graduate seminars in each of the two areas of Mediterranean archaeology
Complete one graduate course in ancient Greek or Latin prose relevant to Mediterranean archaeology
Complete one graduate survey course or seminar in the archaeology of a culture area outside the Mediterranean (e.g., Sub-Saharan Africa, temperate Europe, North America or Meso-America, usually taken outside the Department of Classics)
Complete one graduate seminar that emphasizes method and/or theory in and/or the history of archaeology (this may be taken outside the Department of Classics)
Complete at least 6 weeks of archaeological fieldwork, related or not to a field school, in an approved academic program, or equivalent activities in cultural heritage institutions (i.e. museums or similar). Activities may vary from excavations and archaeological surveys, to material culture studies or technology-applied experiences. Internships within cultural heritage institutions are also accepted. The entire 6 weeks of activities can be distributed across the duration of the Ph.D. program. Other types of activities may be discussed with an advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the Chair of the Department for full consideration towards completion of the requirement. All such activities must be supported by an official certificate released by the leading institution
Pass a translation exam in two modern languages (two of French, German, Italian or mordern Greek)
Pass a set of three general exam
Complete dissertation

Total Credit Hours: 72

3.0 Degree GPA required

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1) Professional knowledge of Latin and/or Greek (depending on Ph.D. specialization)

2) Reading knowledge of a second modern foreign language

3) Knowledge of fundamental facts, institutions, material culture, ideas, social and ethical values, and key historical figures of the ancient world. Students should be able to contextualize these data within broader arguments and analysis as well as understand relevant methodologies and theoretical approaches.

4) Preparation for a professional career in academia by gaining experience teaching sections of language and culture courses, with all funded Ph.D. students teaching each semester (students emerge with at least 8 semesters of teaching experience)

5) Development of professional skills through delivering conference papers and community lectures; organizing and taking part in the UB Biennial Classics Graduate Student Conference and the annual IEMA Conference; submitting scholarly articles; participating in projects in, e.g., archaeological excavation (Hassloch), editorial work (Arethusa, Chronika), digital classics (Tesserae). Students are strongly encouraged by their committees and DGS to develop a portfolio of such activities. Arethusa editorial assistant position.

6) Completion of a dissertation, a significant work of scholarly research at a professional level

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).