Classics is the study of the art, history, thought and literature of ancient cultures. All ancient texts are studied in translation: no knowledge of the ancient languages is required (although it is recommended for students intending to continue their studies at a postgraduate level). In all Classics undergraduate classes, the final mark is calculated as 60% coursework, 40% exam (papers are written in June and November). There are three weekly lectures and a weekly tutorial. Tutorial exercises (50% of coursework) are submitted each week, and one assignment (50% of coursework) is completed each term. Classics may be taken as a three-year major (CLA 1, 2, 3), or as a two-year major (CLA 2, 3) in the second and third years of a BA degree.
This is a semesterised, one-year course designed as a foundational and general introduction to the study of the ancient world.
First-year, first-semester course. Entrance requirements: None.
Classics 101 begins with an introduction to the study of the ancient world, with Homer's Odyssey as a set text. The second term provides a foundation to the study of the ancient civilisations of Africa and Eurasia.
First-year, second-semester course. Entrance requirements: None
This course currently (2021) consists of two term-length modules: The ‘Axial Age’ looks at the emergence of new philosophies across the world around the year 500 BCE, with a focus on Socrates (Greece), Buddha (India) and Confucius (China). ‘Mythology’ introduces students to the various types of myth and methods of interpretation, with examples drawn from Greek myth and from across the world.
Second-year semesterised course. Entrance requirements: A pass in any first-year Humanities subject: no previous study in Classics is required for entrance to this course.
Classics 2 (CLA 201/202), consists of a closer study of the history and great works of the ancient world. It ranges in its specific content from close readings in Greek and Roman epic, tragedy, comedy and love poetry, to ancient philosophy, myth and religion, social and political history and Classical receptions. Modules on Bronze Age, African, Indian and Chinese civilisations may be included in the year’s syllabus. There are three weekly lectures and a weekly tutorial. Tutorial exercises (50% of coursework) are completed each week, and one assignment (50% of coursework) is submitted each term.
Third-year semesterised course. Entrance requirements: A pass in Classics 201 and 202.
The syllabus for Classics 2 & 3 is on a revolving 2-year cycle so that Classics 2 & 3 students sit classes together. In even years the focus is on Greece, in odd years Rome. Classics 3 students, while studying the same content, are assessed differently and are set different assignments: one exam per semester, four essay assignments or two and a long essay or research project of 4000-5000 words.
Weekly tutorials with the course lecturer account for 50% of the class mark.
Entrance requirements: A completed degree with Classics 3 as a major, with a final mark of 60% or above for Classics 3.
Classics Honours consists of five papers. One paper is a research essay of 8-10,000 words, the other four are coursework. Taught papers may cover individual Classical authors, literary genres, ancient history, religion, art and society, and are selected each year the discretion of the staff in consultation with students. Students are encouraged to prepare at least one of their papers for publication. Classics Honours students have a lecturer designated as a personal tutor with whom they regularly meet.
These degrees are offered and are examined by full thesis.
Greek and Latin are three-year major subjects, which may be studied for degree curricula in the Faculty of Humanities. No previous knowledge of Greek is required to enter Greek 101 or of Latin to enter Latin 101. In all Greek and Latin undergraduate classes, the final mark is calculated as 40% coursework, 60% exam (papers written in June and November). There are three weekly lectures and a weekly tutorial. Tutorial exercises (50% of coursework) are submitted each week, and one test or assignment (50% of coursework) is completed each term.
First-year, first-semester course. Entrance requirements: None
This is a beginner’s course, which offers an introduction to Greek, including the reading of selected passages, translation from Greek to English and from English to Greek, and the study of various aspects of the Greek world. The textbook used is ‘Reading Greek’ by the Joint Association of Classical Teachers (JACT).
First-year, second-semester course. Entrance requirements: Greek 101.
Continued reading of texts, translation Greek to English and from English to Greek and study of aspects of Greek culture, particularly in Classical Athens.
Second-year, full-year course. Entrance requirements: A 60% pass in Greek 101 and 102.
Greek 2 involves the reading of selected Greek texts, translation from Greek into English and from English into Greek. A particular author (e.g. Homer, Herodotus, Plato, Euripides), work or genre is studied each term.
Third-year, full-year course. Entrance requirements: A pass in Greek 2.
Greek 3 involves the reading of selected Greek texts, translation from Greek into English, and from English into Greek. A particular author (e.g. Thucydides, Pindar, Aeschylus, Aristophanes), work or genre (e.g. lyric poetry) is studied each term. Texts may be set for self-study.
First-year, first-semester course. Entrance requirements: None.
This is a beginner’s course, which offers an introduction to Latin, including the reading of selected passages, translation from Latin to English and from English to Latin, and the study of various aspects of the Graeco-Roman world. The course also focuses on developing students’ general competence in language, especially through a study of the origins of English words and the acquisition of vocabulary. The textbook used is the ‘Oxford Latin Course’ (Balme & Morwood).
First-year, second-semester course. Entrance requirements: A pass in Latin 101.
In terms of language the focus will be entirely on Latin, with continued reading of texts, translation from Latin to English and from English to Latin and study of aspects of Roman culture.
Second-year, full-year course. Entrance requirements: A 60% pass in Latin 101 and 102, or a rating of at least 5 in the National Senior Certificate.
Latin 2 involves the reading of selected Latin texts, translation from Latin into English, and from English into Latin. A particular author (e.g. Caesar, Cicero, Horace, Catullus), work or genre is studied each term.
Third-year, full-year course. Entrance requirements: A pass in Latin 2.
Latin 3 involves the reading of selected Latin texts, translation from Latin into English, and from English into Latin. A particular author (e.g. Vergil, Ovid, Tacitus, Livy), work or genre is studied each term. Texts may be set for self-study.
Postgraduate, full-year course. Entrance requirements: A completed degree with Latin 3 and/or Greek 3 as a major, with a final mark of 60% or above in the relevant subject(s). Five papers, tailored to the interests of the student, are written. One paper is a research essay of 8-10,000 words, the other four are coursework. Taught papers may cover individual Classical authors, literary genres, ancient history, religion, art and society, with a focus on the critical analysis of Greek and Latin texts.
These degrees are offered and are examined by full thesis.
Last Modified: Thu, 29 May 2025 12:27:59 SAST