Classics

M.A.

We invite you to share in our tradition of almost 170 continuous years of instruction in Greek and Latin and deepen your passion for the ancient world in our graduate program in Classics.

Because our program is small, we are able to provide our students with individual attention and support. As a result, our students consistently win both internal and external awards and fellowships.

Our faculty members have expertise in Greek and Roman archaeology, history, language and literature, so your research opportunities are vast and varied.

You will also have opportunities to join archaeology groups and take part in faculty supervised digs around the Mediterranean world.

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"The Classics department at Queen's is a relatively small, friendly department where the faculty and staff are always eager to speak with students. Add to that the multiple opportunities for international field research and it is easy to see why students feel so at home here."

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Degrees Offered / Length of Program

• M.Sc.: 2 years

Method of Completion

• Pattern I: 4 half courses, thesis + defence
  
• Pattern II: 6 half courses and an essay

In addition, students in both patterns take two "pro-seminars" (CLAS 800 and 802) in which the skills required by the discipline are addressed.

Degree Level Expectations & Learning Outcomes

  M.A - view this information as a PDF (224KB)

Cross Disciplinary Aspects

Our department collaborates with the Art History and Art Conservation departments restoring and preserving pieces from the Diniacopoulos Collection, which is part of a collection of ancient art which includes pieces now in the British Museum, the Louvre and the ROM.

Travel Opportunities

Our students have opportunities to take part in archaeology practicums and faculty supervised excavations in Greece, Italy, Jordan and Turkey.

Supervisors and Fields of Study

Securing a supervisor in advance is encouraged, although not required.

Fields of study:

• Greek language and literature
• Latin language and literature
• Classical Studies (including archaeology, history and history of science)

Securing a supervisor in advance is encouraged, although not required.

• George Bevan: Late Antiquity, Syriac, papyrology
• Fabio Colivicchi: Early Iron Age Italy, Greek colonies, Etruscans
• Michael S. Cummings: Latin poetry (especially Augustan poets), Greek poetry (especially epigram) and myth
• Caroline L. Falkner: Greek history and historiography, family studies, Sparta, ancient warfare
• Anne M. Foley: Greek archaeology, Greek history
• Richard Greenfield: Late Antiquity and Middle & Late Byzantine history
• R. Drew Griffith: Greek literature, comparative literature, and literary criticism
• Bernard J. Kavanagh: Roman history, prosopography
• Daryn Lehoux: Ancient science and epistemology, especially astronomy, astrology, mathematics and medicine; ancient philosophy
• M. Barbara Reeves: Roman archaeology, history of archaeology, Roman Near East, cultural relations between Roman soldiers and indigenous peoples, ancient bath houses and bathing technology, the religious practices of Roman soldiers.

Employment Opportunities

An education in Classics allows you to pursue a wide range of careers by providing you with coveted transferable skills such as analytical and flexible thinking, critical thinking, problem solving and effective communication. Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in academia, government, business, law and medicine as well as museums, libraries, art galleries and on contracts in archaeology.

Funding Information

Basic Funding Package: $13,000 – $17,800 (Queen’s Graduate Awards and teaching assistantship)

We encourage you to apply for external awards such as SSHRC and OGS, as well as internal fellowships and bursaries. Entering graduate students who win federal government tri-council awards are automatically provided a $5,000 top-up award by Queen’s. All graduate students are also eligible to apply for the Alexander and Ian Vorres Hellenic Travel Fellowship, funding travel for study or research in Greece, and the Department of Classics Travel Grant for field research.

Academic Prerequisites

• Normally a 4-year bachelor degree in Classics (or equivalent, e.g. History) with first-class or high second-class (B+) standing
• Balanced strength in Greek and Latin — usually 3 years in one and 2 years in the other (please indicate your experience in Greek and Latin languages on your application). Applicants who do not meet this criterion will be required to take supplementary undergraduate language courses in their first year.

Test Requirements

For international students, if required, a TOEFL total score of at least 550 (paper-based) or TOEFL iBT minimum scores of: writing (24/30); speaking (22/30); reading (22/30); listening (20/30), for a total of 88/120. Applicants must have the minimum score in each test as well as the minimum overall score.

Program Profiles

• Dr Fabio Colivicchi - international collaborations and the importance of building strong ties with scholars...
• Classical Studies - back to basics and to new frontiers