MA in Classics (Thesis Option); Prior to June 2020

The MA in Classics (Thesis Option) aims to prepare students to enter doctoral programs in any of the related fields of classical studies. This option emphasizes the writing of a major research project. While students will have the opportunity to take graduate seminars, including courses in Greek and Latin language, this option is designed for students who are already highly proficient in ancient languages, have a strong foundation in classical studies, and can work independently. This option is designed to be completed in three terms, though many students prefer to complete it in two years.

Program Requirements

45 credits total

Thesis Courses (27 credits)

CLAS 696 M.A. Thesis Research 1 (6 credits)

CLAS 697 M.A. Thesis Research 2 (6 credits)

CLAS 698 M.A. Thesis Research 3 (15 credits)

Complementary Courses (18 credits)

18 credits of Classics or Classics-related courses at the graduate level (500 level or higher). A complete list of Classics and Classics-related courses is available on the Classical Studies website: https://www.mcgill.ca/classics/graduate-studies/courses/.

At least 6 credits of coursework must be language courses taught in Classical Studies (Ancient Greek, Latin, or Modern Greek) with the CLAS prefix.

Each candidate for the M.A. degree must demonstrate advanced proficiency in both Ancient Greek and Latin OR in Modern Greek by the completion of the M.A. program.

Notes:

The thesis (maximum 100 pages) is to be written under the supervision of a professor in Classical Studies. It may or may not be related to the subject of the student's research seminar(s). Applicants should contact the professor in their field of interest early to be sure that he/she is willing and able to supervise their thesis work.

MA in Classics (Thesis Option); Revision, June 2020. 

The M.A. in Classics (Thesis) emphasizes the writing of a major research project. This program is designed for students who are already highly proficient in ancient languages, have a strong foundation in classical studies, and can work independently. This program is designed to be completed in three terms, though many students prefer to complete it in two years.

Thesis Courses (24 credits)

CLAS 695 M.A. Thesis Proposal (6 credits)
CLAS 696 M.A. Thesis Research 1 (6 credits)
CLAS 697 M.A. Thesis Research 2 (6 credits)
CLAS 698 M.A. Thesis Submission (6 credits)

Required Courses (6 credits)

CLAS 500 Classics Seminar (3 credits)
CLAS 685 Methods Seminar (3 credits)
Complementary Courses (15 credits)

12 credits of 600-level Ancient Greek and Latin courses as follows.

3-9 credits from the following:

CLAS 610 Readings in Latin Literature (3 credits) *
CLAS 612 Topics in Latin Literature (3 credits) *
*Note: These courses may be taken in more than one term under different topics.

3-9 credits from the following:

CLAS 620 Readings in Ancient Greek Literature (3 credits) *
CLAS 622 Topics in Ancient Greek Literature (3 credits) *
*Note: These courses may be taken in more than one term under different topics.

3 credits of Classics (CLAS) or Classics-related courses (500-level or higher). Classics-related courses must be chosen in consultation with the student's supervisor.

Examinations

Each candidate for the MA degree must pass two exams: Ancient Greek translation and literature/ Latin translation and literature. The exams will be based on a set reading list of classical texts and scholarship. The translation exams will test the student’s mastery of ancient Greek and Latin; it is assumed students will require advanced proficiency in each language to pass the relevant exam. The classical literature exam will test the student’s general knowledge of important authors and texts in translation and classical scholarship.

All exams will be marked pass/fail and may be taken more than once.

Exams must be passed within two years of starting the program and within three attempts, or the student will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Tests will be given on the second Friday of September, January, and May each academic year. Students will relay to the graduate advisor which test they are planning to take and the advisor will set each test. Each test will be three hours in length and will be taken pass/fail. If a student fails a test, then the student must retake the test within 8 weeks. Under exceptional circumstances students can request another date of examination.​ All tests are double graded​.

The thesis (maximum 100 pages) is to be written under the supervision of a professor in Classical Studies. It may or may not be related to the subject of the student's research seminar(s). Applicants should contact the professor in their field of interest early to be sure that he/she is willing and able to supervise their thesis work.

 

 

MA in Classics (Non-thesis Option); Prior to June 2020

The MA in Classics (Non-Thesis Option) offers advanced training in the scholarly discipline of classical studies in a variety of fields. The program aims to develop proficiency both in technical areas of the discipline, especially Greek and Latin language, and in critical reading, writing, and research skills, to prepare students to enter doctoral programs in any of the related fields of classical studies. This option is designed for students who need to strengthen their proficiency in ancient languages and other aspects of classical studies, and places greater emphasis on graduate coursework. This option is normally completed in two years.

Program Requirements

45 credits total

Research Courses (18 credits)

CLAS 681 MA Research Paper 1 (3 credits)

CLAS 682 MA Research Paper 2 (3 credits)

CLAS 683 MA Research Paper 3 (3 credits)

CLAS 685D1 Proseminar (3 credits)

CLAS 685D2 Proseminar (3 credits)

CLAS 500 Seminar (3 credits) [replaces CLAS 691]

Complementary Courses (27 credits)

27 credits of 500-level or 600-level courses in Classics, Ancient History, or another classics-related discipline. A list of course that count for the complementary course requirement may be found on the Classical Studies website at https://www.mcgill.ca/classics/graduate-studies/courses.

A minimum of 12 credits of complementary courses must be ancient Greek or Latin courses (Note: CLAS 500 [previously CLAS 691] does not count as an Ancient Greek or Latin course).

A maximum of 6 credits of complementary courses may be taken outside the Department of History and Classical Studies, unless approved by the Classical Studies Committee.

 

Master of Arts (M.A.) Classics (Non-Thesis) (45 credits); After June 2020

Program Requirements

The M.A. in Classics; Non-Thesis offers advanced training in the scholarly discipline of
classical studies in a variety of fields. The program aims to develop proficiency both in technical areas of the discipline, especially Ancient Greek and Latin languages, and in critical reading, writing, and research skills. This program may be completed in three terms, but it is normally completed in two years.

Research Project (18 credits)

CLAS 681 M.A.Research Project 1 (6 credits)
CLAS 682 M.A.Research Project 2 (6 credits)
CLAS 683 M.A.Research Project 3 (6 credits)

CLAS 681, 682 and 683 are independent research courses taken under the direction of a professor within the Classics program or related field. Prior to enrolling in each class please consult with the graduate advisor and the professor who may oversee your project. It is expected that a student will take each of these courses with different professors, unless unique circumstances arise. The intent of each project is to give students an in depth understanding of different research domains in Classical Studies.

Required Courses (18 credits)

CLAS 500 Classics Seminar (3 credits)
CLAS 610 Readings in Latin Literature (3 credits)
CLAS 612 Topics in Latin Literature (3 credits)
CLAS 620 Readings in Ancient Greek Literature (3 credits)
CLAS 622 Topics in Ancient Greek Literature (3 credits)
CLAS 685 Methods Seminar (3 credits)

Complementary Courses (9 credits)

9 credits of 500-level or 600-level courses in Classics, Ancient History, or another classics-related discipline. Classics-related courses must be chosen in consultation with the classics graduate adviser.

CLAS 609 Intensive Latin Review and CLAS 619 Intensive Greek Review can be taken in consultation with the Graduate Advisor.

A maximum of 6 credits of complementary courses may be taken outside the Department of History and Classical Studies, unless approved by the Classical Studies Committee.

Examinations

Each candidate for the MA degree must pass two exams: Ancient Greek translation and Literature/Latin translation and literature. The exams will be based on a set reading list of classical texts and scholarship. The translation exams will test the student’s mastery of ancient Greek and Latin; it is assumed students will require advanced proficiency in each language to pass the relevant exam. The classical literature exam will test the student’s general knowledge of important authors and texts in translation and classical scholarship.
All exams will be marked pass/fail and may be taken more than once.

Exams will be taken as 0-credit courses, comparable to PhD comps exams.

Exams must be passed within two years of starting the program and within three attempts, or the student will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Tests will be given on the second Friday of September, January, and May each academic year. Students will relay to the graduate advisor which test they are planning to take and the advisor will set each test. Each test will be three hours in length and will be taken pass/fail. If a student fails a test, then the student must retake the test within 8 weeks. Under exceptional circumstances students can request another date of examination.​ All tests are double graded​.

MA in History

Students may complete a master's degree with a focus on ancient Greek or Roman history (or a related area of history) by fulfilling the requirements of the MA Program in History (thesis option), ideally fulfilling course requirements with graduate courses relevant to the history of ancient Greece and Rome. The MA in History with focus on Ancient History is ideal as a "terminal" program, for students who do not plan to continue on to a PhD program in ancient history. Students who wish to prepare for a PhD program in ancient history are strongly encouraged to apply to the MA in Classics program.

For detailed information on MA History program requirements and application procedures, please visit the Department of History and Classical Studies' MA Program in History page.

PhD in History (focus on Ancient History)

Students may complete a doctoral degree in History with focus on ancient Greece and/or Rome by fulfilling the requirements of the PhD Program in History under the supervision of a professor in Classical Studies, which includes writing a dissertation on a topic in Greek and/or Roman history.

Students must fulfill the necessary requirements for the program PhD History, as stipulated on the Department of History and Classical Studies PhD Program webpage. In addition, students completing doctoral research in Ancient History are expected to complete their program according to the following guidelines:

Program

Doctoral students must complete twelve credits of graduate coursework. All doctoral students must take HIST 701 (3 credits). The remaining nine credits may be taken at McGill or elsewhere. Students may count up to nine credits of courses completed previously toward the program. PhD students in Ancient History are strongly encouraged to complete some graduate level courses in ancient Greek and/or Latin (e.g. CLAS 610, 612, 620, 622). These courses will help Ancient History students prepare for their comprehensive exams and satisfy their language requirements.

Comprehensive Examinations

Students in the PhD History program must pass comprehensive examinations in one Major field and two Minor fields. Students in Ancient History will be expected to complete their major field in Ancient History (Greek and Roman History). Their minor fields will typically be chosen from the following list: Greek Language and Literature, Latin Language and Literature, Classical Archaeology. Ancient History students must complete at least one minor field in language and literature. Ancient History students are expected to complete comprehensive exams by the end of their second year (PhD 3).

Foreign Language Requirements

PhD students in History are required to pass one foreign language exam (completed by the end of year PhD 3), and should have reading proficiency in any additional foreign languages necessary to conduct research in their field. PhD students in Ancient History must demonstrate proficiency minimally in four languages: ancient Greek, Latin, French and German. Additional research languages (such as Italian, Greek, Spanish) may also be required depending on the student’s research area.

One language requirement, typically French, will be satisfied by the obligatory foreign language exam. The other three obligatory language requirements may be satisfied by translation examination, exemplary marks (A or A-) in advanced/graduate language courses, certificates from language instruction centers (e.g. Goethe Institute), or some other demonstration of proficiency. The supervisor will submit a letter of attestation that the student meets necessary language requirements.

Additional Information

Students should consult the graduate section of the Department of History and Classical Studies website for additional information on the PhD program requirements and application procedures: www.mcgill.ca/history/graduate/phd

PhD in History (focus on Ancient History)

Students may complete a doctoral degree in History with focus on ancient Greece and/or Rome by fulfilling the requirements of the PhD Program in History under the supervision of a professor in Classical Studies, which includes writing a dissertation on a topic in Greek and/or Roman history. 

Students must fulfill the necessary requirements for the program PhD History, as stipulated on the Department of History and Classical Studies PhD Program webpage. In addition, students completing doctoral research in Ancient History are expected to complete their program according to the following guidelines:

Program

Doctoral students must complete twelve credits of graduate coursework. All doctoral students must take HIST 701 (3 credits). The remaining nine credits may be taken at McGill or elsewhere. Students may count up to nine credits of courses completed previously toward the program. PhD students in Ancient History are strongly encouraged to complete some graduate level courses in ancient Greek and/or Latin (e.g. CLAS 610, 612, 620, 622). These courses will help Ancient History students prepare for their comprehensive exams and satisfy their language requirements. 

Comprehensive Examinations

Students in the PhD History program must pass comprehensive examinations in one Major field and two Minor fields. Students in Ancient History will be expected to complete their major field in Ancient History (Greek and Roman History). Their minor fields will typically be chosen from the following list:  Greek Language and Literature, Latin Language and Literature, Classical Archaeology. Ancient History students must complete at least one minor field in language and literature. Ancient History students are expected to complete comprehensive exams by the end of their second year (PhD 3).

Foreign Language Requirements 

PhD students in History are required to pass one foreign language exam (completed by the end of year PhD 3), and should have reading proficiency in any additional foreign languages necessary to conduct research in their field. PhD students in Ancient History must demonstrate proficiency minimally in four languages: ancient Greek, Latin, French and German. Additional research languages (such as Italian, Greek, Spanish) may also be required depending on the student’s research area.

One language requirement, typically French, will be satisfied by the obligatory foreign language exam. The other three obligatory language requirements may be satisfied by translation examination, exemplary marks (A or A-) in advanced/graduate language courses, certificates from language instruction centers (e.g. Goethe Institute), or some other demonstration of proficiency. The supervisor will submit a letter of attestation that the student meets necessary language requirements. 

Additional Information

Students should consult the graduate section of the Department of History and Classical Studies website for additional information on the PhD program requirements and application procedures: www.mcgill.ca/history/graduate/phd