Classical Studies at Brandeis
Brandeis University
Classical Studies Department
MAN WITH SCROLL
GRADUATE MASTERS PROGRAM IN ANCIENT GREEK AND ROMAN STUDIES


INTRODUCTION

The Brandeis Department of Classical Studies offers a unique two-track MA Program in Ancient Greek and Roman Studies through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). An MA in Track 1 represents an interdisciplinary degree for practicing professionals that covers many aspects of classical civilization. This track is especially suited for students interested in elementary and secondary school education, but it also provides serious preparation for advanced graduate training in areas such as Classical Archaeology, Ancient History, or Anthropology. For those wishing to pursue a Ph.D. in Classics or Classical Studies at another institution, the MA in Track 2 offers rigorous preparation in ancient Greek and Latin languages and literatures.



 THE CURRICULUM

The MA in Ancient Greek and Roman Studies (both Tracks 1 and 2) requires a total of eight courses (taken over a period of two to four years, depending on the candidate's needs and availability) from a selection of regularly offered undergraduate courses in the Department of Classical Studies, one of which must be CLAS 250B ("Capstone Course"). The Capstone Course is offered every two years and is taught consecutively by department faculty on the methodologies, perspectives, and theories in the field of Classical Studies. Students gain insight, for example, into Homeric scholarship, Vergilian studies, historiography, and new methods and research in such areas as classical archaeology, anthropology, epigraphy, Greek and Roman history, Greek and Roman art, and Greek and Roman technology. Special graduate level requirements are imposed on the MA candidates within regular undergraduate courses. MA students must achieve a grade of "B" or better to "count" these eight courses towards the degree. Students may take one or more courses per semester.

Several aspects of both MA tracks involve experiential learning. Students can participate in fieldtrips to various local museums for projects, have the opportunity to work in CLARC, the Brandeis Classical Studies Artifact Research Center (http://www.brandeis.edu/departments/classics/clarc.html), learn to improve verbal and written skills, understand aesthetic creativity within the ancient world, consider the problems of historical and archaeological preservation, gain insight into archival documentation of antiquity, learn digital technologies, and gain expertise in visual media related to the ancient world (slides, digital databases, internet resources). Students may also choose to participate in an archaeological excavation (with approval from our faculty). We have developed relationships with excavations in Italy, Greece, and Spain, so that our graduate students can participate in such fieldwork as part of their work for the MA. In order to gain graduate credit for such summer experience the department offers CLAS 251A ("Directed Study") to be taken in the semester following the summer experience.

Students in both tracks are exposed to the Greeks and Romans through humanistic, artistic, social, political, economic, and even scientific perspectives. Through a variety of possible electives students can explore, by way of comparison, other ancient cultures as well.



REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTERS DEGREE IN ANCIENT GREEK AND ROMAN STUDIES
TRACK 1: ANCIENT GREEK AND ROMAN CIVILIZATIONS

Track 1 Design Admission Requirements Course Requirements Capstone Course Exam Masters Paper
Graduate Certificate program students BA/BS in any field from reputable college or university (official transcript required) Eight courses, including at least five by CLAS faculty (electives require approval). Yes No 20-30 pp
Graduates of The Examined Life Ancient Greek Studies in the School program One-page statement of purpose Only language courses level 30 and above count toward the degree requirements.
Two letters of recommendation

Track 1 focuses more on classical art and archaeology, Greek and Roman history, courses in classical literature in translation, and classical mythology, and less on the languages and literatures of ancient Greek and Latin in the original. It is designed for students already enrolled in the certificate program at Brandeis who want to achieve the MA degree either for professional development or in preparation for Ph.D. programs in Classical Art and Archaeology or Ancient History that encourage an MA for admission. Teachers (K-12) who have graduated from the Brandeis Examined Life program (Ancient Greek Studies in the Schools) are particularly welcome to consider this track, which is designed to enhance career opportunities for teachers in the schools of the greater Boston area.

Requirements for admission to Track 1 are: 1) a BA/BS in any field of study from a reputable college or university (official transcript required as proof); 2) a one-page statement of purpose from the candidate; and 3) two letters of recommendation. Track 1 has no language requirement (in ancient Greek or Latin or in a modern language) for admission or for completion of the program. If a student decides to study Greek or Latin, courses at level 30 or higher "count" towards completion of the MA.

The courses for Track 1 can be in ancient languages (Greek and Latin above level 30), literature (in original languages or in translation), history, mythology, religion, art, and/or archaeology. Faculty in the Department of Classical Studies must teach at least five of the required eight courses. Three courses covering other ancient civilizations can be chosen (in consultation with Professor Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow, graduate program director and chair of the Department of Classical Studies) as electives counting toward the eight courses required for the MA in Track 1.

Students in Track 1 must take CLAS 250B ("Capstone Course"), and they are required to write a 20-30 page Master's paper of professional quality to be read by two members of the faculty in Classical Studies. The paper should demonstrate competency in one of the subfields of Classical Studies, for example,
  • A. Greek and/or Roman Art/Archaeology
  • B. Greek and/or Roman History
  • C. Latin Language and Literature in translation
  • D. Greek Language and Literature in translation
  • E. A specialized area of the student's choice, made in consultation with a faculty mentor on one of several topics in which the Department has strength, for example, Classical Mythology, Homeric studies, Vergilian studies, etc.
The Master's paper is generally submitted toward the end of a student's completion of the MA program and at least four weeks prior to a student's receipt of his or her degree. There is no comprehensive exam in Track 1, unless specially requested. There is no residency requirement.



REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTERS DEGREE IN ANCIENT GREEK AND ROMAN STUDIES
TRACK 2: GREEK AND LATIN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES

Track 2 Design Admission Requirements Course Requirements Capstone Course Exam Masters Paper
Post-baccalaureates preparing to apply to a Ph.D. program in Classics BA/BS in any field from reputable college or university (official transcript required) Eight courses, including at least five by CLAS faculty (electives require approval). Yes Optional (in lieu of paper) 25-50 pp
One-page statement of purpose Only language courses level 30 and above count toward the degree requirements.
Two letters of recommendation
2 years of high school Latin/Greek or 2 semesters of college Latin/Greek

Track 2 focuses on Greek and Latin philology, languages, and literatures. This track is designed specifically for students with a BA degree that already comprises serious undergraduate training in the classical languages (ancient Greek and Latin). MA students in Track 2 receive a high level of sophisticated philological training from a faculty distinguished in teaching both Greek and Latin language and literature courses. After completing the MA in Track 2, students are in fine standing for admission to rigorous Ph.D. programs in Classics across the US and abroad. Track 2 provides students the chance to test the waters of an academic career in Classical Studies in a relatively short period of time.

Requirements for admission to Track 2 are: 1) a BA/BS in any field of study from a reputable college or university (official transcript required as proof); 2) a one-page statement of purpose from the candidate; and 3) two letters of recommendation.

Additionally, entrants must have studied at least two years of Greek and/or Latin at high school level or two semesters of Greek and/or Latin at college level. We are prepared to have students enter in Track 1 (the non-language based MA), complete the necessary catch-up work in elementary study of the languages, and switch to Track 2, if they so desire.

The courses for Track 2 can be in ancient languages (Greek and Latin above level 30), literature (in original languages), with electives in history, mythology, religion, art, and/or archaeology. Faculty in the Department of Classical Studies must teach at least five of the required eight courses. Three courses covering other ancient civilizations can be chosen (in consultation with Professor Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow, graduate program director and chair of the Department of Classical Studies) as electives counting toward the eight courses required for the MA in Track 2.

Students in Track 2 must take CLAS 250B ("Capstone Course"), and they are also required to submit a 25-50 page Master's paper -- research of professional quality to be read by two members of the Classical Studies Faculty or, in lieu of a Master's paper, to pass a comprehensive exam in two of the following five areas:
  • A. Greek and/or Roman Art/Archaeology
  • B. Greek and/or Roman History
  • C. Latin Language and Literature
  • D. Greek Language and Literature
  • E. A specialized area of the student's choice, made in consultation with a faculty mentor on one of several topics in which the Department has strength, for example, Latin Epigraphy, Classical Mythology, Homeric studies, Vergilian studies, etc.
The Master's paper for Track 2 is generally submitted (and the Track 2 comprehensive exam is taken) toward the end of a student's completion of the MA program and at least four weeks prior to a student's receipt of the degree. There is no residency requirement.



SCHOLARSHIP AID AND COURSE OR TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS

The MA program in Ancient Greek and Roman Studies (Tracks 1 and 2) offers students a 25% scholarship based on need (you must complete a FAFSA application) and an additional 25% based on academic merit (with the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences). In addition, through the GSAS, the Department offers a limited number of course teaching assistantships (assigned based on merit) to help students defray the cost of their graduate study.



APPLICATION PROCESS

The application deadline is rolling, which allows applications on a continuing basis all year round. Application materials can be found on the website of the Brandeis Graduate School of Arts and Sciences: http://www.brandeis.edu/gsas/apply/index.html. Priority and allocation of scholarships and course assistantships is given to those applying before April 1 for admission in the fall semester and before December 1 for admission in the spring.


Photograph: Man with Scroll, Museum, Grottoes of Catullus, Sirmione (Photographic Credit: Susan Bonvallet, 1997), by courtesy of the VRoma Project: http://www.vroma.org/images/bonvallet_images/bonvallet2-14.jpg.

To report broken links, please contact Janet Barry at jbarry@brandeis.edu or x6-2180.
back to top

Department of Classical Studies, 2009.