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Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
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The Freshman years
In the Junior Freshman (first) year you will be introduced
to the critical study of ancient history, culture and literature.
The language-based courses you take depend on whether
you have studied Latin before or are taking it up as a beginner;
your choice of a topic in ancient history and culture depends on
your TSM combination. In your Senior Freshman (second) year,
you continue the study of Latin language, literature and history.
Courses are taught by lectures and small-group seminars.
There are six to eight contact hours per week.
n
Greek and Roman history
– an introductory survey of the
Greek and/or Roman world, from the Greek Archaic age to
the early Roman Empire. The course covers topics such
as politics and power, Athenian democracy, the conquests
of Alexander, the emergence of Rome as a major imperial
power, colonisation, war and conflict.
n
Mythology and religion
– an introduction to the major
myths and religions of the classical world using both literary
and material evidence. The course also explores theories
of myth and the functions of myth within society.
n
Sources and evidence in history and archaeology
–
an introduction to the materials, methodologies and
theories employed by historians and archaeologists.
Latin for beginners
n
Elementary Latin
– an intensive introduction to the Latin
language. By the end of the year you will be ready to read
original texts and your command of the language will be
at the same level as those who have studied Latin before
entering university.
Latin for non-beginners
n
Latin authors
– text-based courses introduce you to the
critical reading of Latin literature through a close examination
and contextualisation of Roman poetry and prose from the
early republican to the imperial period. Texts include the
comedies of Plautus and Terence, Cicero’s famous speech
On Behalf of Caelius, Virgil’s Aeneid, the love poems of
Catullus and Ovid, and the letters of Pliny the Younger.
n
Latin language
– this course allows you to practice your
translation skills and to study the language of authors not
covered in the text-based courses.
The Sophister years
In the Sophister (third and fourth) years you will progress to an
in-depth study of topics in Roman literature, history and culture.
You will refine your analysis of texts in their literary and cultural
context through more specialised skills and methodologies, such
as textual criticism, linguistics and literary theories. Topics may
include Augustan poetry, Latin historians, Satire, Desire and the
body. In your Junior Sophister (third) year you will continue to
study ancient history, while separate language classes provide
additional assistance in improving your fluency and accuracy in
reading and interpretation. In the Senior Sophister (fourth) year
you will also study a special topic in Classical culture and write a
thesis on a subject of your choice. The thesis is an opportunity to
do research which will allow you to develop independent ideas
and acquire critical skills while investigating in great depth an
area that particularly interests you.
Assessment
A combination of end-of-year examination and continuous
assessment (e.g. essays, unseen translations and other
language tests, textual commentaries, seminar presentations)
is used, and a thesis is written in the final year.
Study abroad
Trinity College has strong links with many Classics departments
abroad, including active participation in the Erasmus exchange
programme with universities in France, Switzerland and
Cyprus. This allows students the option of spending their Senior
Freshman (second) year abroad.
Career opportunities
Recent graduates are working in many fields including art
restoration, banking and accountancy, business, civil service,
computers, journalism and broadcasting, law, librarianship,
publishing, teaching and theatre.
Further information
www.tcd.ie/Classics
E-mail:
classics@tcd.ie
Tel: +353 1 896 1208