Ancient History

Ancient History (MA)

The MA in Ancient History allows students to explore the history, society and culture of the Greek and Roman world from Archaic Greece to Late Antiquity, through a combination of taught modules and individual research. The programme is designed to be flexible, enabling students to pursue their own interests whilst gaining a solid foundation of research skills. We offer a range of seminar-based modules that explore major themes and approaches in the study of the ancient world, and a variety of Special Topics in which the student researches a subject of their choice under the guidance of a supervisor. The MA can serve as a basis for doctoral research, but it also provides transferable skills, which will be valuable for a career in any field.

The taught element of the MA runs from October to May, and combines research training modules, study of an ancient language, and a choice of specialised options (listed below). It is also possible to take a residential course at the British School in Athens or the British School in Rome. During the taught stage of the MA, students lay the foundations for the second part of the course, which is an individual research project, carried out between May and September, leading up to a dissertation of 20,000 words. The course can be taken full-time in one year, or part-time over three years.

Please note that some modules are subject to review and may change prior to academic year 2013-2014.

Research Skills and Theory (60 credits)

All students take a group of modules that provide training in the skills and methods needed for research in ancient history: current approaches to the field, research design, interpreting ancient texts, bibliographic and computer skills, and written and oral presentation.

Themes and Approaches in Ancient History - 20 credits (HST002)

Understanding Texts - 10 credits (HST011)

Research Methods - 10 credits (HST301)

Writing the Past - 10 credits (HST305)

Speaking the Past - 10 credits (HST306)

Greek or Latin Language (20 credits)

All students take courses in either ancient Greek or Latin, to enable them to study ancient texts in the original language. Tuition at beginners' level is provided for students who have not learned an ancient language before; those who already have some knowledge take part in advanced reading classes, where they study ancient texts chosen according to the research interests of the students participating.

Specialised Options (40 credits)

You can choose from a range of formal taught modules, which introduce you to key themes and approaches through regular classes and seminars, in which students take turns to deliver short presentations, followed by general discussion of issues and problems. Alternatively, the Special Topic modules allow you to research a subject of your choice in depth, under the guidance of a supervisor. We offer a variety of Special Topics linked to the research interests of individual staff, or you can choose the open Special Period/Topic Study, either to pursue a topic from a taught module in greater depth or to explore a subject that is not covered by the other modules.

Taught modules

Ancient Warfare - 20 credits (HST009)

Understanding Greek Inscriptions - 20 credits (HST017)

Gender, Sexuality and Society in Ancient Greece and Rome - 20 credits (HST018)

Greek Epigraphy - 20 credits (HST026)

The Romanisation of Italy - 20 credits (HST028)

Eunuchs of the Roman Empire - 20 credits (HST029)

Themes in Classical Archaeology - 20 credits (HST203)

Approaches to Ancient Art - 20 credits (HST205)

Religion and Culture in Late Antiquity - 20 credits (RTT134)

Special Topic modules

Special Period/Topic Study 1 & 2 - 20 credits (HST030/031)

Special Topic: Ethnicity in the Ancient World - 20 credits (HST033)

Special Topic: Attic Epigraphy - 20 credits (HST035)

Special Topic: Aspects of Greek Warfare - 20 credits (HST036)

Special Topic: Aspects of the Roman Army - 20 credits (HST037)

Special Topic: Julian the Apostate - 20 credits (HST038)

Special Topic: Medicine and Society in Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages - 20 credits (HST039)

Special Topic: Attic Associations - 20 credits (HST045)

Special Topic: Domestic Space in Classical Antiquity - 20 credits (HST204)

Special Topic: Magic and Religion in Late Antiquity - 20 credits (RTT315)

Modules taught outside Cardiff

The City of Rome - 40 credits (HST040)

British School at Athens Skills Training Course - 20 credits (HST206)

Dissertation (60 credits)

Dissertation (Ancient History) - 60 credits (HST100)

Assessment is mostly by coursework, including several short written exercises, an oral presentation and a portfolio of essays; essay topics are chosen by the student in consultation with a tutor. Language modules are assessed by various combinations of coursework and exams.

Learning Outcomes and Career Preparation

In addition to helping students obtain a detailed and critical knowledge of their chosen area of ancient history, the MA offers them the chance to acquire and perfect valuable skills that are applicable to careers in many different fields. Often referred to as transferable or generic skills, these skills expand students' individual capabilities and make it easier for them to obtain employment and enter their careers with abilities that are widely considered essential for professional success.

Upon completion of the MA in Ancient History, students will have acquired the following skills:

Intellectual skills, including the ability to critically evaluate evidence and its interpretation, and to be tolerant of differing interpretations; to sustain a logical argument and reach a conclusion that can be defended; to synthesise and analyse information; to compare and contrast theoretical explanations and to integrate different methodologies.

Language skills, including the ability to read and interpret texts in either Latin or ancient Greek.

Communication skills, including the ability to communicate orally in an appropriate professional manner; to make presentations both as an individual and as part of a group; to write effectively at an advanced level.

Information technology skills, including the ability to use electronic resources for ancient historians and classicists; to find, manage and utilise information and data.

Personal skills, including the ability to manage workloads; to adapt and apply skills to new contexts; to assess and formulate priorities, constraints and goals, and to adapt to changing circumstances.

Above all, by the end of the MA, students will be able to critically assess the work of others and of their own, to engage effectively in debate at an advanced level, to plan, design and carry out a coherent research strategy, and to produce detailed and coherent reports and presentations.

Admissions requirements

Students applying to take the MA should normally have one of the following qualifications:

At least an Upper Second Class (2.i) undergraduate degree in Ancient History, Classics or a related subject.
A good undergraduate degree in Ancient History, Classics or a related subject from a non-UK university. We encourage applications from students whose undergraduate degrees are from non-UK universities. Please contact the postgraduate admissions tutor to discuss particular requirements.
Experience, qualifications or achievements in another field of relevance. Potential applicants should contact the postgraduate admissions tutor for guidance.