Undergraduate Programmes

Greek and Roman Civilization aims to give an introduction to the civilization of Greece and Rome by concentrating on special topics in the areas of history, literature, philosophy, art and archaeology. No Greek or Latin is required as texts are studied in translation. No special qualifications are required to take Greek & Roman Civilization, but as essay writing is an important part of the programme, a good command of English is a great help. Curiosity and historical imagination enable you to feel at home more quickly in the ancient world.

In level 1 students are given the opportunity of sampling the full range of the different areas of Greek and Roman civilization taught by the School. In levels 2 and 3 you can either continue with this broad perspective, or you may choose to focus mainly on one or two areas, according to your interest, for example literature and history or art and archaeology. For those who wish to further their involvement with the classical world after the BA, the MA in Classics organized by the School of Classics provides a natural progression (see postgraduate).

The ancient world laid the foundations on which European literature, philosophy, education, art (and to some degree, science) were built and continue to develop. Greek and Roman Civilization is therefore a popular combination with English, European languages, philosophy and history. Its focus on the past also makes it of interest to students of Archaeology.

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Stage 1

In order to progress to Stage 2 in Greek and Roman Civilization, students must pass any two of the following modules: 

• (opens in a new window)GRC10140 Classical Myth: An Introduction
• (opens in a new window)GRC10170 Lost Cities of the Ancient World
• (opens in a new window)GRC10180 The Age of Augustus
• (opens in a new window)GRC10190 War and the Hero: The Epics of Homer and Virgil
• (opens in a new window)GRC10200 Classical Greece
  

It is recommended that students take as many of the above modules as possible for a comprehensive introduction to Greek and Roman Civilization. 

Stage 2

We offer a Major, Joint Major and Minor in Greek and Roman Civilization and students should take an appropriate number of modules at Levels 2 and 3.

(opens in a new window)GRC20220 Greeks, Romans and Barbarians is the core module at Stage 2; students should take GRC20220 and are free to choose any combination of modules to create a programme tailored to their interests. For instance, you may choose to take more history modules than literature modules, or to focus more on Greece than on Rome - or you may decide to continue to explore a broad range of subjects from across the field of Classics.

Advice on module choice is available from your lecturers if you need it. We will be available the week before lectures start in first semester to help with any queries.

Greek and Latin Electives at Stage 2

If you enjoy language learning and would like to develop your knowledge of the ancient world further, it is possible to take intensive introductory modules in Latin or Greek as electives at Stage 2.

Module List 2023/24

For a full list of the School of Classics 2019-20 undergraduate modules, please click (opens in a new window)here.

Greek is concerned with the study of classical Greek language, literature and culture. Students have the opportunity to read in the original language the works of such authors as Homer, Herodotus, Sophocles and Plato. These works are not only fascinating in themselves, but are also basic to an understanding of later European culture. Greek history is also studied as part of the Greek programme. The School offers programmes both for those who have already studied Greek and for those who have done little or no Greek previously. The programme also aims to introduce you to features of Greek life and thought such as Greek views of justice and the position of women in Athenian society. Classes are small and you can expect to develop a good reading knowledge of Greek by the end of Stage 1. 

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Latin is primarily concerned with the study of classical Latin language and literature. During the BA programme, the main literary genres are studied and programmes in Roman history are provided which allow the literary works to be set in their historical and cultural context. Latin literature has its own intrinsic value, but it also provides the basic material for our understanding of the civilization of Rome. The programme offers modules both for those who have done little or no Latin previously and for those who have already studied Latin. The former take an intensive language programme in Stage 1. Successful Latin students will be interested in language and literature and should also have a sense of history.

For further information go to (opens in a new window)myUCD