University of British Columbia Masters Degrees in Classical Greek

General Information

We offer a unique opportunity to explore the civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean and the Near East. Our remarkably diverse faculty includes world experts who both teach, and conduct path-breaking research on, the archaeology, history, languages, literatures, and religions of ancient Egypt, the Near East, Greece and Rome, including Judaism, Christianity, and early Islam. Our programs, which can be individually tailored to fit specific interests, foster interdisciplinary study, at the same time developing the relevant skill sets to prepare our students for future study and employment.

What makes the program unique?

Every program is unique and students have the option to design a perfect curriculum for them. Our strengths include rigorous training in the primary languages, Ancient Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Middle Egyptian, and Classical Arabic; broad coverage of the mythic systems of ancient civilizations; in-depth study of the dramatic, historical, legal, literary and religious texts produced by those civilizations; advanced training in practical methods of archaeology and epigraphy; and exploration of the traditions and receptions of antiquity by later eras.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Arts
- Specialization: Ancient Culture, Religion and Ethnicity
- Subject: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Major Project/Essay required
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts

Ancient Language Requirement

Candidates will be required to demonstrate reasonable competence in one of the classical languages. The minimum standard required is a grade of B-/68% in 6 credits of one of the following: GREK 301/302 (Greek Literature of the Classical Period) or LATN 301 (Latin Literature of the Classical Period) or HEBR 479 (Readings in Biblical Hebrew) or ARBC 420 (supervised study in Classical Arabic) or their equivalents. These 6 credits may form part of the course requirements for the M.A. program.

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The M.A. in Classics is a two-year degree that allows students to gain the necessary proficiency in Greek and Latin to proceed to a Ph.D. It is designed to provide core skills in philology, and to be flexible enough to allow for specialization in Ancient History, Literature, or Philosophy.

Course Requirements

The degree will involve course-work and examination. On the student’s entry to the program, the Classics Graduate Adviser will ensure that a supervisor and two other faculty members (together making up the Supervisory Committee of this student) are appointed. Students will take 30 credits of course work, at least 18 of which will be in Greek and Latin numbered above 500 (excluding GREK 549 and LATN 549). Not more than six credits at the graduate level may be in other subject areas (excluding CNRS 549) Students are expected to write a thesis worth 6 credits (GREK 549 or LATN 549 or CNRS 549) in the second year of their program, after due consultation with the Department. (For details about the thesis, see Regulations for MA Thesis below.) Up to 6 credits may, at the discretion of the Department, be in Greek or Latin at the undergraduate level.

Modern Language Requirement

Candidates must prove reading knowledge of one (for M.A. programs) or two (for Ph.D. programs) modern languages other than English appropriate to the field of study, selected in consultation with the Supervisory Committee. The modern language requirement must be satisfied before the end of the student’s second year in the program. Fulfillment of this requirement does not count towards the credit totals for a student’s degree.

MA Thesis

Students in the Master of Arts program in Classics and ACRE have the option of writing a thesis. For this thesis students will enroll in Greek 549, Latin 549, or CNRS 549. Students who choose to write a thesis undertake to produce a lengthy piece of academic work at an advanced level demonstrating their mastery of core methods and primary materials. This thesis should be the best piece of academic writing that students have done, and consequently requires a commitment of at least 300 hours’ work over the course of the academic year.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Arts
- Specialization: Classics
- Subject: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Major Project/Essay required
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts

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