Postgraduate Studies

MA (/Certificate /Diploma) in Ancient Myth and Society

Aims and Objectives

The general aims of this degree scheme are:

1. To provide a self-contained year of structured but challenging study for those that wish to pursue their interests in the study of mythology within the ancient world.
2. To provide a broad foundation for postgraduate work, by laying particular stress on the methodologies and research tools needed for independent advanced study, thus acting as training for students who intend to undertake an MPhil or PhD.

The specific objectives of this degree scheme are:

1. To explore the origins of Graeco-Roman myths, i.e. to ask and, as far as possible, to answer the question ‘where did the myths of Classical antiquity come from?’
2. To consider in detail a variety of sources by which myth was disseminated and explored both within and beyond the Classical world.
3. To examine the many different uses, political, social, cultural and religious, to which myth was put in Classical antiquity.
4. To introduce and develop students’ understanding of the variety of approaches taken by modern scholars to the study of myth.
5. To recognise and evaluate critically the range of methodologies used by such scholars.

Key features

This degree focuses on the study of mythology within the ancient world.  It is thus a specialised degree, but the wide range of modules offered within this degree scheme (covering the history, literature, art, and philosophy of the Classical world) allows students to pursue their own interests to a large extent.  Students are expected to include a mythological element in their MA dissertation.

Inclusion of a language element is a possibility within the degree scheme, but it is not a compulsory part.  However, students who would like to pursue postgraduate studies at research level need to be aware that good knowledge of at least one and often both classical languages is an absolute necessity.  The language element of this degree is limited to 40 credits (2 modules).  Modules from the Lampeter Summer Workshop in Greek and Latin can be integrated in this MA.

Course outline

Programme summary

Programme breakdown (taught part MA / Diploma)

The taught part of the MA / Diploma consists of 120 credits and needs to be chosen according to the following rules to ensure that, in addition to a methodological element, students achieve a focus on the study of mythology in their degree.  Please note that individual module descriptions will give all the necessary information:  e.g. whether a module is available for distance learning and when it is taught for residential students.  Modules for residential students are subject to demand and the module portfolio is subject to change. 

For the choice of programme please follow the instructions under A and B.

A.  80 credits of the programme need to be chosen as follows:

Compulsory core modules:  20 credits

• General MA Study and Research Methodology:  10 credits
• Methodology for the MA in Ancient Myth and Society:  10 credits

Option modules Myth and Society:  60 credits from the following

• Ancient Medicine: Myth & Practice:   20 credits
• Myth in Greek and Roman Epic:  20 credits
• Kings, Gods and Heroes: Myth and History in early Rome and Etruria:  20 credits
• Myth and Art from Homer to Late Antiquity:  20 credits
• Women in Ancient Myth and Society:  20 credits

B.  The remaining 40 credits can be taken from the option modules Myth and Society specified above and / or can be taken from a series of additional modules.

Additional modules:

Linguistic modules

• Latin Beginners I:  20 credits
• Latin Beginners II:  20 credits
• Latin Intermediate I:  20 credits
• Latin Intermediate II:  20 credits
• Latin Advanced I:  20 credits
• Latin Advanced II:  20 credits
• Medieval Latin:  20 credits
• Greek Beginners I:  20 credits
• Greek Beginners II:  20 credits
• Greek Intermediate I:  20 credits
• Greek Intermediate II:  20 credits
• Greek Advanced I:  20 credits
• Greek Advanced II:  20 credits

Distance students will need to start modules at the same time as campus-based students and work at more or less the same pace (in October for Michaelmas modules; in January for Lent modules).  See the individual module descriptions for further details.  With the exception of Medieval Latin or modules offered at our summer school, no language modules are available over the summer.  Absolute beginners can only start language modules in October.

For further details and information on language courses at postgraduate level, click here.

Modules offered at the Lampeter Summer Workshop

In addition to the various modules offered throughout the academic year, the Department of Classics also holds an annual Summer Workshop in Latin and Greek which has proved to be very successful.  We offer high quality intensive language teaching in Latin, Medieval Latin, Renaissance Latin and Greek (one and two-week courses).  All teaching is done in small, friendly groups by experienced staff.  Each year the Department welcomes participants from a range of ages and backgrounds.

Taking a module at the Summer Workshop gives students the opportunity to try out their linguistic skills, to meet their tutors, and discuss their individual requirements.  This is particularly important if they plan to take a language module as a distance learner. Any module taken at the Summer Workshop can count towards any of our taught degree schemes (subject to approval by the Director of Postgraduate Studies), as all the modules offered during the Workshop are fully accredited by the University.

Students who would like to include a module from the Summer Workshop in their programme need to attend for the full two weeks.  All modules available at the Summer Workshop are ten credits each, but modules taken at intermediate / advanced or advanced level can be upgraded to 20 credits modules.

For a full brochure and application form, please contact the Department.  For further information about the Summer Workshop, click here.

Distance learners only:

• Pagans, Jews, and Christians in Late Antiquity:  20 credits

Distance learners and on campus students:

• Between Narrative and Interpretation:  Writing History in the Ancient World:  20 credits
• Julius Caesar and His Times: 20 credits
• Stories, Histories and Ticket-Sales: Greeks and Romans on the Silver Screen:  20 credits
• The Invention of Fiction in Greece:  20 credits

Modules offered over the video-link from Swansea

• "Being Greek under Rome": Greek literature and culture in the Imperial period:   20 credits
• Political Consciousness and Classical Greece:  20 credits

Modules offered by the Archaeology or TRS Departments (no more than 1 x 20 credits)
Please note that not all these modules may be available.  Please contact the Director of Postgraduate Studies if you are interested in including such an option.

• Art and Representation in the Ancient Near East:  20 credits
• The Virgin Mary in earliest Christianity:  20 credits

Enhanced undergraduate module (no more than 1 x 20 credits)
This is an option that is open to residential students only.  For a list of modules available please consult the Classics Undergraduate Student Handbook.  This module needs to be chosen in consultation with the Director of Postgraduate Studies, Dr. James Richardson.

Postgraduate Studies

Prospective PGs Home

Postgraduate Degrees

Admissions

Full-time and Part-time Study

Residential Learning

Distance Learning

E-Resources & E-Learning

Tuition Fees & Funding opportunities

Modules

How to Apply