University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Arts > Department of Classics & Ancient History > Classical Studies (BA) > Specification
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Programme code | 1CLAS005U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Lyndsay Coo
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Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
School/department | Department of Classics & Ancient History |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Classics and ancient history (including Byzantine Studies and Modern Greek) (2019) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 3 years (full time) |
This programme aims to develop the student’s interest in and knowledge and understanding of the culture of the ancient Greco-Roman world, ranging from Homeric Greece through the Classical period to Late Antiquity. Students will learn about the ancient world, and study, amongst other things, its historical documents and its literature, mythology, philosophy, art and architecture, civilisation and heritage. Students will study a broad range of Greek and/or Latin literature and civilisation, through the medium of English translation, developing their skills in analysis and interpretation. The Department aims to promote as widely as possible knowledge, understanding and 'ownership' of the ancient world and its reception. Classical Studies give excellent multidisciplinary training in the humanities. The study of the languages, literature, philosophy, art and culture of the ancient world is an enriching experience at university and an excellent foundation for many types of career.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Acquisition of knowledge through lectures, seminars and tutorials. Directed reading with a strong emphasis on primary materials. Feedback on assessment is given through tutorials and written comments. Independent learning is achieved through written coursework and design of a substantial piece of research on a subject of the student's own choice for the dissertation. All teaching and learning strategies and methods foster the subject-specific benchmarks A1-5 (with language assessments also relating to A6) |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessed essays, testing understanding of a single topic within a unit in detail. Unseen examinations, testing understanding of the unit as a whole. Shorter exercises, in core skills units, designed to assess research and communication skills, analysis and interpretation of evidence etc. The assessed work for the third year requires students to develop their own project, considering the application of theoretical approaches to their discipline. All final year students write a dissertation. All assessments relate to the subject-specific benchmarks A1-5 (with language assessments also relating to A6) and involve the practical abilities and transferable skills mapped in benchmarks B1-10, 12, 14, 15. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through seminars, tutorials, class discussions, oral presentations and essay writing. Units are structured in such a way as to promote the development of skills of research, analysis, synthesis and critical evaluation. All teaching and learning strategies and methods foster the practical abilities and transferable skills mapped in benchmarks B1-15. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Essay writing and examinations test the students' ability to analyse, evaluate and organise information and to present reasoned arguments based on appropriate selection of evidence. Research skills are assessed through written coursework and the final year dissertation. All assessments examine the practical abilities and transferable skills mapped in benchmarks B1-10, 12, 14, 15. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Seminars and tutorials are used to develop oral communication by requiring students to engage in class discussions and to give short presentations to initiate discussion. Other units often include elements of discussion and debate. Oral skills are further developed in class discussion and in defending their ideas in debate with other students and staff. C&IT skills are developed when researching work and submitting essay assignments. Many units now make use of e-mail lists and discussion boards. Independent learning is required in all units. All teaching and learning strategies and methods foster the practical abilities and transferable skills mapped in benchmarks B1-15. |
Methods of Assessment | |
All units are assessed through written coursework and extended essays. Marking criteria include presentation skills. Most units also include assessment via written examination. Shorter exercises in core skills units, final year seminars, and the dissertation are designed to assess independent research and presentation skills. All assessments examine the practical abilities and transferable skills mapped in benchmarks B1-10, 12, 14, 15. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
Year 1 of the course has been designed to lay the foundations, both in terms of subject-specific knowledge and skills and in terms of more general skills and abilities, which will enable the student to fulfil the programme's objectives. The core units cover basic research, critical and presentation skills; the options develop subject-specific knowledge and skills. It is expected that students' work may require considerable direction and guidance from staff at this stage. At level C/4, students are beginning to develop all of the skills set out in subject-specific benchmarks A1-5 (with those studying languages also achieving A6) and B1-15. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
Year 2 of the course is intended to complete the foundations of subject-specific skills and knowledge though the two core units, while the optional units expand subject knowledge in greater depth and breadth. Students are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their knowledge of the classical world and its reception, show a greater degree of independence as they work to interpret and make use of evidence, to construct arguments and present their work effectively. At level I/5, students display further development of skills set out in benchmarks A1-5 and B1-15. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
Students are expected to make use of the knowledge and skills acquired in the first two years in researching and discussing topics in much greater depth. They will work at a higher level of methodological and conceptual complexity. They will be expected to work more independently in gathering and assimilating information, synthesising it in an appropriate way and engaging in the sophisticated analysis of relevant evidence. There is an emphasis on self-directed study and the development of research skills, especially through the compulsory dissertation. At level H/6, students display further development and refinement of skills set out in benchmarks A1-5 and B1-15, with an emphasis on independent learning and research skills (B7). |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
UG Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. Programmes are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research-based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive. At the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing and it is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Most programmes use credits and a 20 credit unit broadly equates to about 200 hours of student input. This includes all activities related to the teaching, learning and assessment of taught units.
A component of this is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes activities such as lectures, laboratories, tutorials and fieldwork. Some of this activity may be online and could consist of activity that is synchronous (using real-time environments such as Blackboard Collaborate) or asynchronous (using tools such as tutor moderated discussion forums, blogs or wikis).
In some programmes there are field courses and/or placements that will take place in concentrated periods of time.
Outside scheduled activities you are expected to pursue your own independent learning to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include, reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks, working on examples sheets, completing coursework, writing up laboratory notes, preparing for in-class progress tests and revising for examinations.
We recognise that many students undertake paid employment. To achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Professional Programmes
Many undergraduates in the Faculty of Health Sciences will be following the professional programmes of:
For these professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curriculum activities. This may not be available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through the curricula there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on these professional programmes often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example because of the timings of placements) and further information on this will be found in individual programme regulations. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside of the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent meaning that students will more oftentimes be engaged in revision activities and self-directed learning.
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty Assessment and Feedback Statement for Undergraduate Students. University of Bristol access only.
The Classics and Ancient History Department also offers the following programmes:Ancient History (V110); Classical Studies with Study in Continental Europe (Q811); Classics (Q800); Classics with Study in Continental Europe (Q801)Joint Degrees: Greek and Philosophy (QV75); English and Latin (QQ36); French and Latin (RQ16) 4yrs.
The Department has special links under the SOCRATES scheme providing opportunities for Study in Continental Europe. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/Classics
Email: classics-bristol@bristol.ac.uk
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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List A | |||||
Sculpture | CLAS10037 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 | |
List B - Choose 20 CP from this list | |||||
Historical Survey: Ancient Greece | CLAS10035 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level A1 | CLAS12303 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level B1 | CLAS12307 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Greek Language Level A1 | CLAS12311 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Greek Language Level B1 | CLAS12315 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
List C - Choose 20 CP from this list | |||||
Literature | CLAS10038 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 | |
List D | |||||
Thought | CLAS10040 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 | |
List E | |||||
Epic | CLAS12361 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 | |
List F - Choose 20CP from this list | |||||
Take 20 CP From Bristol Futures, UWLP or Faculty Wide Units | OPEN | 20 | Optional | ||
Historical Survey: Ancient Rome | CLAS10036 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Historical Topic: The Hellenistic World | CLAS10034 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level A2 | CLAS12304 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level B2 | CLAS12308 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Greek Language Level A2 | CLAS12312 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Greek Language Level B2 | CLAS12316 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Approaches to Poetry | ENGL10026 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Introduction to Early-Modern Art | HART10216 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Living Religions East | THRS10065 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Representations: (Re)-Making the World | HUMS10011 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
The Medieval World | HIST10042 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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List A | |||||
Exploring the Roman Cityscape | CLAS20070 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 | |
List B - Choose 20 CP from this list | |||||
Greek Language Level A1 | CLAS20006 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Greek Language Level B1 | CLAS22315 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Greek Language Level C1 | CLAS22405 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level A1 | CLAS20008 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level B1 | CLAS22307 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level C1 | CLAS22407 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Material Remains of the Past | CLAS20059 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Approaches to Roman History | CLAS20040 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Introduction to Sanskrit 1 | THRS20188 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
List C | |||||
Myth | CLAS20065 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 | |
List D | |||||
Legacy | CLAS20067 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 | |
List E | |||||
Drama | CLAS20066 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 | |
List F | |||||
Take 20 CP From Bristol Futures, UWLP or Faculty Wide Units – OR choose one unit from the list below | OPEN | 20 | Optional | ||
Greek Language Level A2 | CLAS20007 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Greek Language Level B2 | CLAS22316 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Greek Language Level C2 | CLAS22406 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level A2 | CLAS20009 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level B2 | CLAS22308 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level C2 | CLAS22408 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Historical Topic: Roman Imperial Culture | CLAS20062 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
For students who take the optional unit HUMS20002, this replaces all the Year 2 units in TB2. This includes units that are normally mandatory in this programme. | |||||
Study Abroad/ Erasmus | HUMS20002 | 60 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 | |
You may additionally take MODL20018 in TB1 in combination with HUMS20002. If you choose this combination you will be taking 130 CP in total. | |||||
Foreign Language Skills for Semester Abroad Students | MODL20018 | 10 | Optional | F | TB-1 |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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List A - Choose 20 CP from this list | |||||
Greek Language Level A1 | CLAS30006 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Greek Language Level B1 | CLAS30036 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Greek Language Level C1 | CLAS32405 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level A1 | CLAS30008 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level B1 | CLAS30033 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level C1 | CLAS32407 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin Language Level D1 | CLAS30073 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Sappho: Poetry and Society in Ancient Greece | CLAS30052 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Histories of Violence | CLAS30049 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
The Minoans | CLAS37018 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Philosophies of Eros: Ancient and Modern | CLAS30043 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Dead Sea Scrolls | THRS30180 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
List C - Choose 20 CP from this list | |||||
The Trojan War in Ancient Literature | CLAS30026 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
The Persian Empire | CLAS30010 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Comparative Paganism | CLAS30050 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Greek Language Level A2 | CLAS30007 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Greek Language Level B2 | CLAS30037 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Greek Language Level C2 | CLAS32406 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Greek Language Level D2 | CLAS30040 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level A2 | CLAS30009 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level B2 | CLAS30034 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level C2 | CLAS32408 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Latin Language Level D2 | CLAS32343 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
List D | |||||
Applied Classics | CLAS30039 | 20 | Mandatory | D | TB-2 |
List E | |||||
Dissertation | CLAS32315 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 | |
List F | |||||
Take 20 CP From Bristol Futures, UWLP or Faculty Wide Units – OR choose an additional 20 CP from list A | OPEN | 20 | Optional | ||
Classical Studies (BA) | 120 |
Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:
For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.
All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.
Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.
The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).
An Ordinary degree can be awarded if a student has successfully completed at least 300 credits with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 6.
The pass mark for the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine and Dentistry is 50 out of 100. The classification of a degree in the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry is provided in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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