This MA is expertly designed to focus on the history and material culture of Ancient Greece, and features a module taught at the British School at Athens.

Course overview

Our Visual and Material Culture of Ancient Greece MA course provides a thorough preparation in research techniques if you are considering further research in the fields of art, numismatics or epigraphy, or are working on an historical topic that involves the consideration of material evidence. It will also provide a detailed understanding of ancient visual and material culture to prepare you if you are aiming to enter a career in museums and curatorial work, or in education.

For the Visual and Material Culture of Ancient Greece course, one module is taught at the British School, Athens. It focuses on a different skill set for handling Ancient Greek material culture from year to year. Please note admission is subject to the discretion of the British Schools and cannot be guaranteed by Warwick.

There are four taught elements, each worth 30 CATS points, in addition to a 15-20,000-word dissertation (worth 60 CATS).

Taught Elements

• Core Module 'Approaching Ancient Visual and Material Culture': two hour seminar every week in term one, assessed by a 5,000 word essay on a topic of your choice.
• Core Module in a Language: We encourage you to develop your knowledge of (or begin study of ) Ancient Greek or Latin, though you may also take a modern language if this is more relevant to your research needs (German, French or Italian). Assessed by a final examination (50%) and a dossier of coursework (50%), or 100% exam for Advanced Ancient Language.
• One optional module chosen from the following:
  • Classical EpigraphyLink opens in a new window (Prof Alison Cooley)
  • Art of the Ancient World (Prof Zahra Newby)
  • Ancient Numismatics (Prof Suzanne Frey-Kupper)

All these modules are taught in nine two hour small group seminars involving seminar presentations and discussion. They are assessed by a 5,000-word essay on a topic chosen in consultation with the lecturer responsible.

The modules mentioned above may be subject to change. Please read our terms and conditions for more detailed information.

• Ancient Greece module, taught by the British School at AthensLink opens in a new window in late Spring/early Summer and you must formally apply for a place in the Autumn preceding it (applications are made via Warwick). Places are allocated according to academic merit (announced in late Autumn/early new year) and cannot be guaranteed. Should you be unsuccessful in gaining a place you would take a second optional module at Warwick and graduate with the Taught MA in Ancient Visual and Material Culture. You can choose from a number of courses offered by the BSA, including epigraphy, numismatics, Greek pottery and art. These involve a detailed programme of site visits, seminars and hands-on analysis of original artifacts led by leading academics under the guidance of a dedicated course tutor. The module is assessed through marks given for class participation and seminar presentation (worth 10% of total module) awarded by the BSA tutor, and a 5,000 word essay (90%), which is marked at Warwick. Accommodation is provided in the British School which has excellent library facilities. The course fees are paid by Warwick via fee transfer system. However, you are responsible for paying for your own travel to/from Greece, and meals etc while there. Some bursaries are available. For full details see the BSA postgraduate course pages and our Classics website.

Dissertation

• Dissertation of 15-20,000 words. The topic for this will be finalised during the Spring term and your time in Athens and may, if appropriate, build on your research while in Athens. Your supervisor will be from the department in Warwick. The dissertation will be submitted in early September.