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Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
47
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 Greek 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 Greek 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.
Greek for beginners
n
Elementary Greek
– an intensive introduction to the ancient
Greek 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 Greek before
entering university.
Greek for non-beginners
n
Greek authors
– text-based courses introduce you to
the critical reading of Greek literature through a close
examination and contextualisation of the oldest and most
influential works in western literature: Homer’s Iliad and
Odyssey, the Histories of Herodotus, the tragedies of
Euripides and Sophocles and the philosophical prose of
Plato.
n
Greek 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 Greek 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 Polybius and the Hellenistic Empire,
Archaic poetry, Greek comedy, and Hellenistic poetry. 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),
and a thesis 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
E-mail:
Tel: +353 1 896 1208
