Postgraduate Studies
MA (/Diploma /Certificate) in Ancient Narrative Literature
| Awards available: | MA (180 credits), Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits), Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) |
| Study mode: | Full-time, part-time |
| Programme delivery: | Residential or distance or a mixture of both |
| Start dates: | October, January and April |
Aims and Objectives
The general aims of this degree scheme are:
- To provide a self-contained year of structured and challenging study for those that wish to pursue their interests in ancient narrative literatures.
- To provide a broad foundation for postgraduate work in general, by laying particular stress on the methodologies and research tools needed for independent advanced study. The MA thus also acts as training for students who intend to undertake an MPhil or PhD.
The specific objectives of this degree scheme are:
- To increase students’ knowledge of Greek and/or Roman narrative literature.
- To expose students to a wide range of literary texts (novel, epic, epistolography, historiography).
- To develop skills of literary criticism and awareness of the author’s skill and art.
- To introduce and develop students’ understanding of the variety of approaches taken by modern scholars to the study of literature.
- To recognise and evaluate critically the range of methodologies used by such scholars.
- To develop students’ knowledge of a classical language.
Key features
The MA in Ancient Narrative is the latest degree scheme that the Department offers at a postgraduate level; we are awaiting formal approval from our academic authorities, and a decision will be reached in Spring 2008. The degree will be offered from October 2008. It provides students with a choice from a wide range of modules that cover all aspects of ancient narrative literature, thus allowing them to pursue their own particular interests and tailor the degree to their needs.
This degree can be taken by both distance and residential students. Although most modules on offer are available for both groups of students, some modules may only be available to residential students; others are only available for distance students.
Several additional options are available for residential students. A number of modules offered by the University of Swansea can be incorporated in the programme. These modules are available over the video-link and form part of the Department’s collaborative postgraduate teaching arrangements with the Swansea Classics Department.
Inclusion of a language element is a compulsory feature of this degree scheme. Students will need to choose either Greek or Latin at the appropriate level (Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced). 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
PG Certificate |
PG Diploma |
MA |
60 credits in total 20 credits compulsory core modules (see below) + either 20 credits from the option modules Ancient Narrative 20 credits of language or 40 credits from the option modules Ancient Narrative |
120 credits in total 20 credits compulsory core modules (see below) + 100 credits from the non-linguistic and linguistic modules available for this degree scheme. These 100 credits should be chosen as follows: 40 credits from the option modules Ancient Narrative 40 credits of language 20 credits from any of the MA modules offered by the Department. |
180 credits in total As for PG Diploma plus a Dissertation (60 credits) |
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 choose two language modules and at least two Ancient Narrative options. 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:
A. 100 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 Literature- and Language-Based MAs: 10 credits
Option modules Ancient Narrative: 40 credits from the following
- The Invention of Fiction in Greece: 20 credits
- Myth in Greek and Roman Epic: 20 credits
- Between Narrative and Interpretation: Writing history in the ancient world: 20 credits
- "Being Greek under Rome": Greek literature and culture in the Imperial period: 20 credits
Linguistic modules: either 40 or 60 credits
- 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.
Linguistic 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.
B. The remaining 20 credits can be taken from any of the modules we are offering