Classics

School of Humanities & Sciences

MA
PhD
PhD Minor

Master of Arts

Classics opens in a new tab

Program Minimum Units

45 Units

University Minimum Units

45 Units

Program Length

2 Years

Interests

Literature & Culture, Studying the Past, Languages

Academic Areas

Humanities & Arts

Overview

The study of Classics has traditionally centered on the literature and material culture of ancient Greece and Rome, including Greek and Latin language, literature, philosophy, history, art, and archaeology. At Stanford, Classics also explores connections with other ancient cultures and the modern world, as well as specialized fields such as ancient economics, law, papyrology, and science. The department’s faculty approaches Classics from an interdisciplinary perspective that crosses geographical, temporal, and thematic territories. Studying ancient epic poetry can lead to looking at modern cinema afresh; ancient Athenian politics opens new perspectives on contemporary politics; and the study of Rome presents parallels with other empires just as Latin illuminates the history of English and the Romance languages. In short, Classics at Stanford is an interdisciplinary subject concerned not only with Greek and Roman civilization but also with the interaction of cultures and societies that influenced the ancient Mediterranean basin and continue to influence human society across the globe.

The MA in Classics is no longer accepting new students. The last admit date for this program was Spring 2024.

This program is only available for current Classics-PhD students. Please see the Student Services Officer for further information.

Requirements

Program Requirements

Overview

The Classics master’s degree is broken into three subplans. For full details, see the subplan listings below.

All master’s students, regardless of subplan, must complete and receive approval of the Program Proposal for a Master’s Degree form during the first quarter of enrollment, at least five days before the Final Study List deadline.

All master’s students must choose a faculty advisor from the Department of Classics no later than the end of the second week of the first quarter in the program. Students should consult with the Student Services Officer and/or the Director of Graduate Studies for help with selection.

Subplans

Required

Students must select a subplan to complete this program. A subplan is an officially declared and defined set of requirements that provides a way for students to go deeper into a discipline or focus within a program.

Language and Literature Subplan

Subplan Overview

Students who have completed an undergraduate major in Classics (Greek, Latin, or Greek and Latin fields of study) or equivalent may be accepted as candidates for the MA degree in Classics and may expect to complete the program in twelve months (usually three quarters of coursework plus three months study for the thesis or examination). Students with an undergraduate major in Classics (Ancient History or Classical Studies fields of study) or without an undergraduate major in Classics may also be accepted as candidates. However, they may require a more extended study period before completing the degree requirements. These requirements are:

On the department’s recommendation, candidates for the PhD degree in Classics may also become candidates for the MA degree. In this case, requirement 5 above is waived provided the student has completed some work beyond the course requirements listed under requirements 1 and 2 above. Current Stanford graduate students in other degree programs may be considered for the MA degree but must be admitted and complete all requirements listed above.

1. A minimum of 25 of the 45 units must be graduate-level courses (generally 200-level or higher, but not always). The remaining units must be at the 100-level or higher.

2. Completion of one Greek language course at the 100 level (if the undergraduate major field of study was Latin) or one Latin language course at the 100 level (if the undergraduate major field of study was Greek). This requirement is waived for students with an undergraduate major in Classics with a field of study in Greek and Latin.

3. Passing a Greek or Latin language examination testing the candidate’s ability to translate into English from a selected list of Greek or Latin authors. The student will need to compile a reading list that reflects what they have read and submit to the examiner to set an exam on that basis. Students will be given four passages and asked to translate three of them in two hours (with ten minutes to review at the start of the exam).

4. Syntax Sequence

Completion of the syntax sequence in at least one language. For Latin, this is CLASSICS 204 Latin Syntax and CLASSICS 210 Latin Prose Composition. For Greek, this is CLASSICS 205 Greek Syntax and Classics 211G - Greek Prose Composition

Complete at least 2 of the following courses:

CLASSICS 204

Latin Syntax

4 Units

and

CLASSICS 210

Latin Prose Composition

5 Units

CLASSICS 205

Greek Syntax: Prose Composition

5 Units

and

CLASSICS 211G

Greek Prose Composition

5 Units

Completion of the syntax sequence in at least one language. For Latin, this is CLASSICS204A opens in a new tab. For Greek, this is CLASSICS205A opens in a new tab Greek Syntax: Prose Composition and CLASSICS205B opens in a new tab.

5. Writing a thesis, or passing of an examination on a particular author or topic, or having written work accepted by the graduate committee as an equivalent. Three completed and satisfactory seminar papers are normally an acceptable equivalent, provided each paper has earned the grade of B+ or higher.

6. Students must pass a modern language reading exam in one of the following languages:

German, French, or Italian. In exceptional circumstances, the Graduate Studies Committee may permit a different language, e.g., Modern Greek or Russian, to be substituted in keeping with research plans. Students are allowed to use paper and online dictionaries. Exams are offered once a quarter (Autumn, Winter, Spring). Incoming graduates may choose to be tested as early as autumn quarter. The department strongly encourages students to take modern language exams as early as possible in the program. If the first attempt to pass the exam fails, the student can retake the test only once. Failing the second examination means automatic dismissal from the program. A grade of B- or higher is required to pass.

7. Completion and approval of a Program Proposal for a Master’s Degree form during the first quarter of enrollment, at least five days prior to the Final Study List deadline.

Classical Archaeology Subplan

Subplan Overview

Students who have completed an undergraduate major in Classics with a Classical Archaeology field of study or in a closely related field may be accepted as candidates for the MA degree in Classics with a Classical Archaeology field of study and may expect to complete the program in twelve months (usually three quarters of coursework plus three months study for the thesis or examination). Students without an undergraduate major in Classics with a Classical Archaeology field of study may also be accepted as candidates. However, they may require a more extended study period before completing the degree requirements.

On the department’s recommendation, PhD degree candidates may also become MA degree candidates. In their case, requirement 5 above is waived provided the student has completed some work beyond the course requirements listed under requirements 1 and 2 above. Current Stanford graduate students in other degree programs may be considered for the MA degree but must be admitted and complete all requirements listed above.

1. A minimum of 25 of the 45 units must be graduate-level courses (generally 200-level or higher, but not always). The remaining units must be at the 100-level or higher.

2. Completion with a grade of B or higher of at least 15 units of graduate-level courses in classical archaeology, in addition to CLASSICS331 Words and Things in the History of Classical Scholarship. (see 4).

3. Passing a Greek or Latin language examination testing the candidate’s ability to translate into English from a selected list of Greek or Latin authors. The student will need to compile a reading list that reflects what they have read and submit to the examiner to set an exam on that basis. Students will be given four passages and asked to translate three of them in two hours (with ten minutes to review at the start of the exam).

4. Completion with a grade of B or higher of CLASSICS331 Words and Things in the History of Classical Scholarship, or an equivalent course on the history of thought in classical archaeology approved by the Graduate Studies Committee.

5. Writing a thesis, or passing an exam on a particular topic, or having written work accepted by the graduate committee as an equivalent. Three completed and satisfactory seminar papers are normally an acceptable equivalent, provided each paper has earned the grade of B+ or higher.

6. Students must pass a modern language reading exam in one of the following languages:

7. Completion and approval of a Program Proposal for a Master’s Degree form during the first quarter of enrollment, at least five days prior to the Final Study List deadline.

Ancient History Subplan

Subplan Overview

Students who have completed an undergraduate major in Classics with an Ancient History field of study or in a closely related field may be accepted as candidates for the MA degree in Classics with an Ancient History field of study and may expect to complete the program in twelve months (usually three quarters of coursework plus three months study for the thesis or examination). Students without an undergraduate major in Classics with an Ancient History field of study may also be accepted as candidates. However, they may require a more extended study period before completing the degree requirements.

On the department’s recommendation, PhD degree candidates may also become MA degree candidates. In their case, requirement four above is waived provided they have completed some work beyond the course requirements listed under requirements 1 and 2 above. Current Stanford graduate students in other degree programs may be considered for the MA degree but must be admitted and complete all requirements listed above.

1. A minimum of 30 of the 45 units must be graduate-level courses (generally 200-level or higher, but not always) and the remaining 15 units of work must be at the 100-level or higher.

2. Satisfactory completion of 20 units of graduate-level courses in Classics and of 10 units of graduate-level courses in other programs.

3. Satisfactory completion of 15 additional units of courses in either ancient Greek or Latin at the 100-level or higher.

4. Writing a thesis, or passing an exam on a particular topic, or having written work accepted by the Graduate Committee as an equivalent. Three completed and satisfactory seminar papers are usually an acceptable equivalent, provided each paper has earned the grade of B+ or higher.

5. Students must pass a modern language reading exam in one of the following languages:

German, French, or Italian. In exceptional circumstances, the Graduate Studies Committee may permit a different language, e.g., Modern Greek or Russian, to be substituted in keeping with research plans. Students are allowed to use paper and online dictionaries. Exams are offered once a quarter (autumn, winter, and spring). Incoming graduates may choose to be tested as early as autumn quarter. The department strongly encourages students to take modern language exams as early as possible in the program. If the first attempt to pass the exam fails, the student can retake the test only once. Failing the second examination means automatic dismissal from the program. A grade of B- or higher is required to pass.

6. Completion and approval of a Program Proposal for a Master’s Degree form during the first quarter of enrollment, at least five days prior to the Final Study List deadline.

Master of Arts

Classics opens in a new tab

Program Minimum Units

45 Units

University Minimum Units

45 Units

Program Length

2 Years

Interests

Literature & Culture, Studying the Past, Languages

Academic Areas

Humanities & Arts

Overview

The MA in Classics is no longer accepting new students. The last admit date for this program was Spring 2024.

This program is only available for current Classics-PhD students. Please see the Student Services Officer for further information.

Requirements

Program Requirements

Overview

The Classics master’s degree is broken into three subplans. For full details, see the subplan listings below.

Subplans

Required

Language and Literature Subplan

Subplan Overview

1. A minimum of 25 of the 45 units must be graduate-level courses (generally 200-level or higher, but not always). The remaining units must be at the 100-level or higher.

2. Completion of one Greek language course at the 100 level (if the undergraduate major field of study was Latin) or one Latin language course at the 100 level (if the undergraduate major field of study was Greek). This requirement is waived for students with an undergraduate major in Classics with a field of study in Greek and Latin.

3. Passing a Greek or Latin language examination testing the candidate’s ability to translate into English from a selected list of Greek or Latin authors. The student will need to compile a reading list that reflects what they have read and submit to the examiner to set an exam on that basis. Students will be given four passages and asked to translate three of them in two hours (with ten minutes to review at the start of the exam).

4. Syntax Sequence

Completion of the syntax sequence in at least one language. For Latin, this is CLASSICS 204 Latin Syntax and CLASSICS 210 Latin Prose Composition. For Greek, this is CLASSICS 205 Greek Syntax and Classics 211G - Greek Prose Composition

Complete at least 2 of the following courses:

CLASSICS 204

Latin Syntax

4 Units

and

CLASSICS 210

Latin Prose Composition

5 Units

CLASSICS 205

Greek Syntax: Prose Composition

5 Units

and

CLASSICS 211G

Greek Prose Composition

5 Units

5. Writing a thesis, or passing of an examination on a particular author or topic, or having written work accepted by the graduate committee as an equivalent. Three completed and satisfactory seminar papers are normally an acceptable equivalent, provided each paper has earned the grade of B+ or higher.

6. Students must pass a modern language reading exam in one of the following languages:

7. Completion and approval of a Program Proposal for a Master’s Degree form during the first quarter of enrollment, at least five days prior to the Final Study List deadline.

Classical Archaeology Subplan

Subplan Overview

1. A minimum of 25 of the 45 units must be graduate-level courses (generally 200-level or higher, but not always). The remaining units must be at the 100-level or higher.

2. Completion with a grade of B or higher of at least 15 units of graduate-level courses in classical archaeology, in addition to CLASSICS331 Words and Things in the History of Classical Scholarship. (see 4).

3. Passing a Greek or Latin language examination testing the candidate’s ability to translate into English from a selected list of Greek or Latin authors. The student will need to compile a reading list that reflects what they have read and submit to the examiner to set an exam on that basis. Students will be given four passages and asked to translate three of them in two hours (with ten minutes to review at the start of the exam).

4. Completion with a grade of B or higher of CLASSICS331 Words and Things in the History of Classical Scholarship, or an equivalent course on the history of thought in classical archaeology approved by the Graduate Studies Committee.

5. Writing a thesis, or passing an exam on a particular topic, or having written work accepted by the graduate committee as an equivalent. Three completed and satisfactory seminar papers are normally an acceptable equivalent, provided each paper has earned the grade of B+ or higher.

6. Students must pass a modern language reading exam in one of the following languages:

7. Completion and approval of a Program Proposal for a Master’s Degree form during the first quarter of enrollment, at least five days prior to the Final Study List deadline.

Ancient History Subplan

Subplan Overview

1. A minimum of 30 of the 45 units must be graduate-level courses (generally 200-level or higher, but not always) and the remaining 15 units of work must be at the 100-level or higher.

2. Satisfactory completion of 20 units of graduate-level courses in Classics and of 10 units of graduate-level courses in other programs.

3. Satisfactory completion of 15 additional units of courses in either ancient Greek or Latin at the 100-level or higher.

4. Writing a thesis, or passing an exam on a particular topic, or having written work accepted by the Graduate Committee as an equivalent. Three completed and satisfactory seminar papers are usually an acceptable equivalent, provided each paper has earned the grade of B+ or higher.

5. Students must pass a modern language reading exam in one of the following languages:

German, French, or Italian. In exceptional circumstances, the Graduate Studies Committee may permit a different language, e.g., Modern Greek or Russian, to be substituted in keeping with research plans. Students are allowed to use paper and online dictionaries. Exams are offered once a quarter (autumn, winter, and spring). Incoming graduates may choose to be tested as early as autumn quarter. The department strongly encourages students to take modern language exams as early as possible in the program. If the first attempt to pass the exam fails, the student can retake the test only once. Failing the second examination means automatic dismissal from the program. A grade of B- or higher is required to pass.

6. Completion and approval of a Program Proposal for a Master’s Degree form during the first quarter of enrollment, at least five days prior to the Final Study List deadline.