B.A. studies at the Classics Department provide an in-depth knowledge of the intellectual treasures of classical Antiquity in their literary, linguistic, historical and philosophical dimensions. Students approach the great books of the classical literary canon – Tragedy and Comedy, Poetry, Philosophical Texts, History and Oratory – in unmediated fashion, in their original languages. Department students are also exposed to non-literary sources, namely epigraphical, papyrological and archeological ones, and learn of areas of contact between Classical Greek and Roman culture and other, surrounding cultures, such as Hellenistic Judaism. more >>
The M.A. program of the Classics Department enables students to deepen the knowledge they have acquired of Greek and Roman Antiquity in the course of their B.A. studies. Students are also trained to conduct academic research in the field. more >>
Research students are part of the intellectual community of the Classics Department and routinely participate in its activities, such as departmental seminars and research projects carried out by members of the department. Students are also asked to teach courses, whenever it is possible. more >>
B.A. studies at the Classics Department provide an in-depth knowledge of the intellectual treasures of classical Antiquity in their literary, linguistic, historical and philosophical dimensions. Students approach the great books of the classical literary canon – Tragedy and Comedy, Poetry, Philosophical Texts, History and Oratory – in unmediated fashion, in their original languages. Department students are also exposed to non-literary sources, namely epigraphical, papyrological and archeological ones, and learn of areas of contact between Classical Greek and Roman culture and other, surrounding cultures, such as Hellenistic Judaism.
Elective B.A. courses focus on a range of texts from several genres. Students are exposed to a broad amalgam of areas of research, including Linguistics, Textual Criticism, the preservation and transmission of classical texts, Literature and Literary Criticism, History, History of the Theatre and of Visual Arts; Social Structures and Cultural Institutions; Religious Studies; the development of science and technology; Philosophy; Law and Political Thought.
During the course of their studies, BA. students are also exposed to a range of research approaches and scientific methodologies which prepare them for advanced-level research in Classics and related fields.
Studies in our department are carried out in small groups which offer an intensive and intimate learning experience involving personal guidance and mentoring of each student by department teachers.
As of 2016-17, B.A. studies at Hebrew University consist of two majors or one major and complementary studies. Classics B.A. students may choose between three tracks: a Greek-oriented track, a Roman-oriented one, and a more or less symmetrically balanced bi-lingual track. In all three tracks the students are trained in both Greek and Roman materials and sources, but the emphasis on the two cultures varies in the different tracks.
The first year of study is devoted to learning Greek and Latin, and to introductory courses aimed at establishing a basic familiarity with classical culture. During their second year students acquire a deeper knowledge of the languages, authors, and genres of classical literature, through a direct reading of works in the original language. All courses from the second year onwards require knowledge of Greek and/or Latin.
In the third year of studies students participate in seminars, are exposed to research in Classics, and learn to carry out independent research. The third year is also devoted to the completion of independent reading requirements (to be explained below). At the completion of their B.A. course work, students are required to take an integrative exam (details below). While studying for their degree, students are required to take two complementary courses from other departments (details below).
Complementary courses from other departments. In the course of their B.A. studies, students are required to attend two courses offered by other departments in the Humanities Faculty, courses which serve as introductions to various aspects of classical culture. One of these courses should be a course offered by the History Department on the history of Greece or Rome.
The second course should be chosen, after consultation with the departmental advisor, from the following list:
Independent Reading: During the course of B.A. studies, students are required to complete a reading list which includes a range of core texts. This obligatory reading list enables students to reach the highest international standards of Classics students.
The reading list includes some works which are taught in the framework of courses. Students read the remaining texts independently during the second and third years of their B.A. studies and are given a brief oral exam on the texts.
Integrative Exam: Students are examined on a body of text in addition to relevant scholarly bibliographical items: the text is individually chosen by each student, and coordinated to their field of interest.
The department also organizes study trips to archeological sites from the classical period.
Modern Languages: The department recommends that students study a modern language, be it French, German or Italian.
| Elementary Greek | 8 credits |
| Elementary Latin | 8 credits |
| Introduction to Classical Culture: Greece | 2 credits |
| Introduction to Classical Culture: Rome | 2 credits |
| It is also possible to add one of the introductory courses from outside the department: | |
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Introductory course in Greek or Roman History |
2 credits |
|
Introductory course from a selection of Faculty courses (from the list of courses detailed in the study program) |
2 credits |
Course load: 10 to 12 weekly hours (5 to 6 courses per week every semester)
| Completion of First Year courses | |
| Completion of Introductory courses outside the department | |
| Intermediate Greek A + B | 4 credits |
| Intermedite Latin A + B | 4 credits |
|
Bibliographical Introduction to Classical Studies |
2 credits |
| 4 textual reading courses in primary language | 8 credits |
| 2 textual reading courses in secondary language | 4 credits |
Course load: 12 to 14 weekly hours (6 to 7 classes a week per semester + completion of requirements from previous years).
|
Completion of first- and second-year coursework |
|
| 2 reading courses / lecture-and-reading courses in primary language | 4 credits |
| 4 seminar courses | 8 credits |
Course load: 6 weekly hours (6 semester courses + completion of outstanding requirements of coursework from previous years)
Non-course requirements:
| Seminar Papers | |
| Completion of requirements of the Independent reading list | 2 credits |
| Integrative Exam | 4 credits |
It is highly recommended that third year students take more courses in the first semester, and plan blocks of course-free time in the second semester for non-course requirements.
The M.A. program of the Classics Department enables students to deepen the knowledge they have acquired of Greek and Roman Antiquity in the course of their B.A. studies. Students are also trained to conduct academic research in the field.
During the course of their M.A. studies students are given the tools for independent academic research in the specialized areas of their choice, with an emphasis on methodological studies or distinct disciplinary orientiation.
M.A. studies in the Classics Department are open to students who hold a B.A. degree in Classics with an average grade that meets HUJI standards, and a record of studies indicating good command of Greek and Latin and a thorough knowledge of Classical Literature.
Students holding a B.A. degree from other fields will be required to complete supplementary studies as determined by the departmental advisor.
There are two different tracks towards earning a M.A. degree in Classics. Studies are carried out in a research track, designed for those who subsequently intend to pursue doctoral studies or in a non-research track, which, after completion, also entitles the student to a M.A. degree in Classical Studies.
Both tracks include elective courses in Classical Studies as well as relevant related fields. These courses are chosen by the students and are subject to the approval of the Department head. Students in the research track are required to write an MA thesis.
The Department of Classics also offers Combined Study Tracks, in conjunction with other departments such as: Archaeology, History, History of the Jewish People, Linguistics, Religious Studies, Comparative Literature, Philosophy, Art History, and Cultural Studies.
Students must participate in courses amounting to 28 credits, in addition to studying a second foreign language at an "exempt" level.
| a. Required courses | 16 credits | |
| Language of Specialization: M.A level seminars | 8 credits | |
| Second classical language: M.A level seminars | 4 credits | |
| Methodological courses or courses with a specific discipline orientation: | ||
| M.A. level seminars | 4 credits | |
| b. Elective courses | ||
| Classics and Humanities Faculty M.A. Seminars | 12 credits | |
The Classics Department offers additional seminars in Greek and Latin language and literature. Students should also participate in courses from other fields, such as classical archaeology, history of ancient religions, Greek and Roman art history, Hellenistic Jewish literature, history of the Second Temple, and Greek Philosophy.
The Department head and the Teacher supervising students in the writing of a Seminar paper of a research nature will advise them and approve their courses.
c. In addition to required course attendance, students must also meet the following requirements:
Study of a Language to the level of "exempt"
In addition to the source languages, Greek and Latin, classical scholars should have a reading knowledge of the four languages of scholarly literature in the field: English, German, French and Italian. Thus, the acquisition of an additional language during the M.A. is an essential component towards research studies.
Writing of one Seminar Paper
Writing of one extended Seminar Paper of a research nature or a Research Proposal for a Doctoral Thesis
Upon completion of all the coursework and the other Department requirements, students must take a final exam. The exam consists of three parts: two written exams in the student’s primary branch of specialization (Greek or Latin) and a third written exam in the second branch.
Final exams are composed on an individual basis for each student, and are coordinated to their fields of interest. (Students will not be examined on works or topics which studied for the B.A.).
Students must participate in courses amounting to 40-44 credits (not including written papers).
| a. Required courses | 18 credits | |
| Language of Specialization: M.A. level seminars | 10 credits | |
| Second Language: M.A. level seminars | 4 credits | |
| Methodological courses or courses with specific disciplinary orientations: M.A. level seminars | 4 credits | |
| b. Elective courses from Classics and other departments (see Track A) | 22-26 credits | |
| c. In addition to their coursework, students must also meet the following requirements: | ||
| Foreign Language to "exempt" level (as in Track A) | ||
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Writing of two seminar papers |
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| Integrative Final Exam (as in Track A) |
Research students are part of the intellectual community of the Classics Department and routinely participate in its activities, such as departmental seminars and research projects carried out by members of the department. Students are also asked to teach courses, whenever it is possible.
A M.A. degree in Classics, with a minimum average grade of 85, a minimum grade of 85 in the integrative exam, and a minimum grade of 90 in the expanded M.A. research paper.
Students who fulfill these requirements are eligible to seek a supervisor for the research dissertation they wish to pursue.
Stage A: Students prepare their thesis proposal with the assistance and guidance of their supervisor. Once the proposal has been completed and approved by the supervisor, it is submitted for approval to the committee for research students. This committee must approve the proposal as well and also determines the supplementary studies and coursework which the student must undertake.
Stage B: Students focus on writing their dissertation and completing the required supplementary courses.