The Graeco-Roman World MA/PGDip

Course description

This postgraduate degree offers an intensive and challenging approach to the study of the Classical Mediterranean worlds across the Greek and Roman periods. The course questions the traditional ways in which we reconstruct the classical past, and interrogates current understandings and perceptions of Greek and Roman societies across the Mediterranean.

A key part of the course is our interdisciplinary approach, drawing from both history and archaeology. We will equip you to work with different classical sources in combination, including literary texts, epigraphy, material culture, landscape studies, architecture, and visual art.

The course will enable you to reflect critically on the economic, social, political, cultural, artistic and religious developments and interactions between the various regions and powers of the Classical Mediterranean. You will develop a high level of competence in the cultures of the Greek, Hellenistic and Roman Mediterranean.

Archaeology and Ancient History at Leicester has a high concentration of relevant staff expertise and specialisms which is exceptional in Britain. Our expertise ranges across the classical world, including Italy, North Africa, the Aegean, Anatolia and Syria, offering you a coherent perspective of the whole Mediterranean.

This course will equip you with the skills needed to go on to conduct doctoral research or enhance your career prospects, whether in archaeology, related or other professions.

Teaching and learning

Teaching is by a combination of lecture and seminar courses, museum visits, a study tour to the Mediterranean region, and individual research.

Assessment is through essays and project work. You are encouraged throughout to develop your transferable skills, including IT and oral presentation.

Field trips

On the MA you will have the option of participating in a study tour in the Mediterranean, either as an assessed or non-assessed module. The study tour will take place over a period of ten days and involves visiting a range of classical sites, monuments and museums. If you take the tour as an assessed module you will be expected to prepare coursework based on activities you do on the tour. Previous tour locations have included Rome, as well as Athens and Attica; and Istanbul and western Turkey.

Careers and employability

An MA in The Graeco-Roman World offers great opportunities to extend you general academic and related skills in a fascinating area of study, which may also serve you well in the heritage sector, and beyond, as well as in preparation for doctoral research.