Classics (Literae Humaniores)
To study the Greek and Roman world is to study one of the greatest civilizations that has existed. The world’s first democracy - the conquests of Alexander the Great - the dazzling achievements of the Roman empire, are only some of its highlights. Classicists read an incomparable literature, from epic to love poetry, high tragedy to knockabout comedy, history to political satire. We study philosophy from Plato and Aristotle to modern ethics, metaphysics and philosophy of mind, and art and archaeology from the Parthenon to Hadrian’s Wall and from marble statues to village rubbish-heaps.
If you are interested in all or most of the above, Classics is the subject for you. You do not have to know any Greek or Latin to apply. If your interest is in history and material culture, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History is likely to suit you best. If you are particularly interested in the relationship between the ancient and modern world, or Greek and Latin and English or other European literatures, you are likely to enjoy one of the other joint schools.
Oriel College is excellently equipped for students studying Classical subjects. The library meets most student needs, and the University and Faculty libraries are only a few minutes’ walk away. The four tutorial fellows are experienced teachers who have international reputations in areas of research ranging from early Greek poetry to the philosophy of physics via Aristotle and the early Church. Generous travel grants and academic prizes enable students to explore the Mediterranean world in the vacations.
Degrees in Classical Subjects are valued highly by employers, and unemployment among Classics graduates is almost non-existent. Classicists go into every walk of life: notably the law, the civil service, banking and commerce, the media, the heritage industry, the voluntary sector and education.
Tutorial Fellows:
Dr. Bruno Currie (Greek and Latin language and literature), Ms Juliane Kerkhecker (Greek and Latin language and literature), Dr. Teresa Morgan (Ancient History), Dr. Oliver Pooley (Philosophy), Prof. Gonzalo Rodriguez-Pereyra (Philosophy)
College Lecturers:
Dr Helen Kaufmann (Greek and Latin language and literature), Dr Lindsay Driediger-Murphy (Ancient History), Mrs Sarah Harden (Greek and Latin language and literature).
Admissions:
Candidates who are studying Latin or Greek to A-level or equivalent (those applying for Course I) must take a test in either Latin or Greek or both, depending on the language(s) you are already studying, on 2 November 2011. All candidates who are studying neither Latin nor Greek to A-level or equivalent (those applying for Course II) must take a Classics Language Aptitude Test on 2 November 2011. Candidates are also required to submit two essays or commentaries by 10 November 2011. Normally these will be in areas relevant to Classics. They should preferably not be short, timed essays or exercises answering questions on a short passage of text.
Places:
4 or 5 for Classics, 1 for each of the other courses.
Conditional offers:
usually AAA at A-level (or equivalent).
Subject web pages
http://www.classics.ox.ac.uk (including selection criteria, deferred entry policy and FAQs)