The Classical Civilisation degree offers a broad and varied exploration of the society and culture of Greece and Rome, and their importance for us today, as well as an opportunity to focus on particular areas which might interest you. The course includes the option of beginning to learn Greek or Latin language (or continuing, if you have studied the languages already).
**Year 1**
You’ll take two interdisciplinary modules that serve to give you grounding in the central periods of Greek and Roman culture:
Introduction to the Greek World
Monuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus
You’ll also take one module that introduces you to ancient philosophy. In previous years, this module has been offered: Early Greek Philosophy.
You’ll also take a module that introduces you to the cultural, anthropological and literary implications of translation:
Language, Translation and Interpretation.
Other first-year optional modules have previously included:
Beginners’ Latin and Greek
Intermediate Latin and Greek (if you have an A level or equivalent)
Lives of Objects
The Craft of the Ancient Historian.
**Year 2**
You’ll take a module in which you study representative examples of Greek and Roman epic; you’ll be introduced to a wide range of approaches to the study of epic including its role as a device for memorialisation and you’ll also explore the ways in which the genre developed in Greek and Roman antiquity and beyond:
Traditions of Epic.
If you choose to study Latin or Greek you may continue these courses in your second year. It’s also possible to begin the study of Latin or Greek in your second year.
Many of the other modules in the second year are broad surveys, for example of a historical period or a literary genre.
Historical offerings have previously included:
The Hellenistic World
Crisis of The Roman Republic
Emperors and Dynasties.
Literary, philosophical and cultural topics have previously included:
Greek Literature and The Near East
Interpreting Greek Tragedy Today
Creation and Cosmology
Ancient Political Thought and Action
Stoicism
Dialogues with Antiquity
Classical Receptions & Contemporary Cultures
Theatre and Spectacle in Ancient Rome
*Year 3 (Year 4 if taking a Year Abroad) *
You’ll write a Dissertation on a topic at the end of your second year in consultation with an adviser, with who you will meet regularly for guidance throughout Year 3. Most other modules in the third year cover specific topics that arise out of the research interests of our members of staff.
Historical modules have previously included:
Greeks and Persians
Roman Syria
Writing Alexander
The Life and Times of Cicero
Urbs Roma
The Later Roman Empire
Literary, philosophical and cultural topics have previously included:
The Literature and Language of Ancient Babylon
Comedy and Tragedy, Laughter and Sorrow
Hellenistic Poetry: Theory and Practice
Roman Law and Latin Literature
Love and Sex in Ancient Poetry
Technologies of Knowledge in Antiquity
Knowledge and Doubt in Hellenistic Philosophy
For this course, the study of ancient languages is not required, though it is permitted as an option.
**Study Abroad**
This course includes an optional European Studies element, where you may spend the third year of a four-year course studying at a European university (for further details please see our website). We also participate in the University-wide overseas exchange programme, which offers the opportunity to spend your second year studying at one of our partner universities in North America or Australasia.
We review course structures and core content every year and will publish finalised core requirements for 2022 entry from September 2021. Please note the list of optional modules available in any year vary depending on available teaching staff. The lists above provide an example of the type of modules which may be offered. For more information on this course, please see our website.
Course Details - Modules
**Year 1** You’ll take two interdisciplinary modules that serve to give you grounding in the central periods of Greek and Roman culture: Introduction to the Greek World, Monuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus. You’ll also take one module that introduces you to ancient philosophy. In previous years, this module has been offered: Early Greek Philosophy. You’ll also take a module that introduces you to the cultural, anthropological and literary implications of translation: Language, Translation and Interpretation. Other first-year optional modules have previously included: Beginners’ Latin and Greek / Intermediate Latin and Greek (if you have an A level or equivalent) / Lives of Objects / The Craft of the Ancient Historian. **Year 2** You’ll take a module in which you study representative examples of Greek and Roman epic; you’ll be introduced to a wide range of approaches to the study of epic including its role as a device for memorialisation and you’ll also explore the ways in which the genre developed in Greek and Roman antiquity and beyond: Traditions of Epic. If you choose to study Latin or Greek you may continue these courses in your second year. It’s also possible to begin the study of Latin or Greek in your second year. Many of the other modules in the second year are broad surveys, for example of a historical period or a literary genre. Historical offerings have previously included: The Hellenistic World / Crisis of The Roman Republic / Emperors and Dynasties. Literary, philosophical and cultural topics have previously included: Greek Literature and The Near East / Interpreting Greek Tragedy Today / Creation and Cosmology / Ancient Political Thought and Action / Stoicism / Dialogues with Antiquity / Classical Receptions & Contemporary Cultures / Theatre and Spectacle in Ancient Rome. **Year 3 (Year 4 if taking a Year Abroad) ** You’ll write a Dissertation on a topic at the end of your second year in consultation with an adviser, with who you will meet regularly for guidance throughout Year 3. Most other modules in the third year cover specific topics that arise out of the research interests of our members of staff. Historical modules have previously included: Greeks and Persians / Roman Syria / Writing Alexander / The Life and Times of Cicero / Urbs Roma / The Later Roman Empire. Literary, philosophical and cultural topics have previously included: The Literature and Language of Ancient Babylon / Comedy and Tragedy, Laughter and Sorrow / Hellenistic Poetry: Theory and Practice / Roman Law and Latin Literature / Love and Sex in Ancient Poetry / Technologies of Knowledge in Antiquity / Knowledge and Doubt in Hellenistic Philosophy. For this course, the study of ancient languages is not required, though it is permitted as an option. We review course structures and core content every year and will publish finalised core requirements for 2022 entry from September 2021. Please note the list of optional modules available in any year vary depending on available teaching staff. The lists above provide an example of the type of modules which may be offered. For more information on this course, please see our website.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
Q820
Institution code:
D86
Campus Name:
University College
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
Specific subjects excluded for entry:
General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Information:
Applicants taking Science A-levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels.
We will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. If an applicant has not been able to take 3 Advanced Highers, offers may be made with a combination of Advanced Highers and Highers, or on a number of Highers.
We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham.
18 points (6, 6, 6) in Higher Level subjects.
Our contextual offer for this programme is A level BBB (or equivalent). To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/contextualoffers/.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/entry/
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses.
It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course.
Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.
