Classics

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Faculty Affiliation

Arts and Science

Degree Programs

Classics

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

1. Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
   • Classics, PhD
2. Ancient Greek and Roman History
   • Classics, PhD
3. Book History and Print Culture
   • Classics, MA, PhD
4. Editing Medieval Texts
   • Classics, PhD
5. Jewish Studies
   • Classics, MA, PhD
6. Mediterranean Archaeology
   • Classics, PhD
7. Sexual Diversity Studies
   • Classics, MA, PhD
8. Women and Gender Studies
   • Classics, MA, PhD​

Overview

The Department of Classics provides advanced training in the fields of Greek and Roman History, Greek and Roman Literature, and Greek and Roman Philosophy. Collaborative specializations, listed above, are available to students enrolled in the specified participating degree programs. In addition, the Joint Collaborative Specialization in Ancient Greek and Roman History provides for interdisciplinary study with faculty from the graduate program in history at York University.

Information about admission, application procedures, and funding is available from the department.

Contact and Address

Web: http://classics.utoronto.ca
Email: grad.classics@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-5513
Fax: (416) 978-7307

Department of Classics
University of Toronto
125 Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C7
Canada

Master of Arts​

Program Description

Applicants may be admitted to either the two-year MA program or the one-year advanced-standing option, depending on their level of preparation. The MA program may be taken on a part-time basis.

MA Program (Two Year)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Classics' additional admission requirements stated below.

• Successful completion of an appropriate bachelor's program in classics or a related field, with at least a B+ average in the final year and the equivalent of at least three and preferably four full years of training in either Greek or Latin and two full years of training in the other.

• Students who are otherwise qualified but who lack the required amount of training in Greek and Latin should consult with the department about further preparation.

Program Requirements

• Year 1: Students normally complete at least 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) selected in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator from departmental language courses and seminars. Students who do not complete these courses with appropriate standing may be required to withdraw from the MA program or to retake the courses.

• Year 2: Students normally complete at least 3.0 FCEs, including the Graduate Research Paper, selected in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator, and complete the sight translation examination and qualifying examination(s).

  • Completion of one (0.5 FCE) of GRK 1000H or LAT 1000H (intensive advanced language skills), or equivalent, or a course from the GRK/LAT 1800H series, with a grade of at least B-.

  • Completion of three courses (1.5 FCE) from the CLA 5000H series.

  • Completion of CLA 2000Y (1.0 FCE) Graduate Research Paper with a grade of at least B. Each student is assigned to a faculty advisor for CLA 2000Y and works independently on the preparation of a research paper (about 8,000 words in length). The Graduate Research Paper is assessed by a committee of two faculty members, including the advisor.

  • Completion of the sight translation examination in either Greek or Latin with a grade of at least B-.

  • Completion of the Greek qualifying examination and the Latin qualifying examination (three-hour translation exam in each language, including both prose and poetry) with a grade of at least B-. Students whose field is Greek and Roman History may only choose to satisfy this requirement by completing either the Greek or the Latin qualifying examination with a grade of at least B- and by completing one language course in the other language with a grade of at least B+.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S);
9 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

MA Program (One-Year Advanced-Standing Option)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Classics' additional admission requirements stated below.

• Successful completion of an appropriate bachelor's program in classics or a related field, with at least a B+ average in the final year and the equivalent of at least three and preferably four full years of training in either Greek or Latin and two full years of training in the other.

• Students who are otherwise qualified but who lack the required amount of training in Greek and Latin should consult with the department about further preparation.

Program Requirements

• Students normally complete at least 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs), including the Graduate Research Paper, selected in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator, and complete the sight translation examination and qualifying examination(s).

  • Completion of one (0.5 FCE) of GRK 1000H or LAT 1000H (intensive advanced language skills), or equivalent, or a course from the GRK/LAT 1800H series, with a grade of at least B-.

  • Completion of three courses (1.5 FCE) from the CLA 5000H series.

  • Completion of the sight translation examination in either Greek or Latin with a grade of at least B-.

  • Completion of CLA 2000Y (1.0 FCE) Graduate Research Paper with a grade of at least B. Each student is assigned to a faculty advisor for CLA 2000Y and works independently on the preparation of a research paper (about 8,000 words in length). The Graduate Research Paper is assessed by a committee of two faculty members, including the advisor.

  • Completion of the Greek qualifying examination and the Latin qualifying examination (three-hour translation exam in each language, including both prose and poetry) with a grade of at least B-. Students whose field is Greek and Roman History may only choose to satisfy this requirement by completing either the Greek or the Latin qualifying examination with a grade of at least B- and by completing one language course in the other language with a grade of at least B+.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
9 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time; 
6 years part-time

​PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Classics' additional admission requirements stated below.

• Successful completion of a strong master's program in classics or a related field (with at least a B+ average overall and at least one A-). All students must have the equivalent of at least four years of training in either Latin or Greek and at least three years in the other language, and a broad preparation in the reading of ancient texts in the original languages.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Satisfactory completion of:

  • GRK 1000H (0.5 FCE) or equivalent

  • LAT 1000H (0.5 FCE) or equivalent.

• At the department's discretion, students who need additional preparation may be required to take a selection of courses approved by the department during Year 1 before beginning to prepare for the qualifying examinations. Students will be notified of such additional requirements at the time of their offers of admission or early in their first session.

  • CLA 2000Y (1.0 FCE) Graduate Research Paper with a grade of at least A-. Doctoral students who complete the Graduate Research Paper at a lower standard which nevertheless satisfies the MA requirement will be granted the MA. Students admitted with advanced standing are exempt from the Graduate Research Paper.

  • 10 seminars with an A- average, including at least two outside the student’s field of specialization (one of which must not be offered or cross-listed by the Department of Classics).

  • Satisfactory participation for at least two years in the seminar series for the student’s field (SRD 4444Y or AMP 2000Y).

• Qualifying exam. Completion of the Greek qualifying examination and Latin qualifying examination with grades of at least B+. One of these exams must be passed by the end of Year 2, and both must be passed by the end of Year 3 of the PhD. Doctoral students who complete the qualifying examinations at a lower standard which nevertheless satisfies the MA requirement will be granted the MA. 

• Satisfactory completion of sight translation examinations in both Greek and Latin with grades of at least B+. This requirement must be completed before the major field examination is attempted. Students whose field is Greek and Roman History may satisfy this requirement with a grade of at least B+ on the sight translation examination in one language and a grade of at least B on the sight translation examination in the other language.

• Demonstration of adequate reading knowledge of two languages of research other than English, one of which will normally be German, before the major field examination is attempted.

• Satisfactory completion of the major field examination (CLA 4000Y⁰). The major field defines a broad area of specialization, within which the dissertation topic will fall. It is normally established by Year 3 of the program and is directed by the supervisory committee. Preparation for the major field examination includes the completion of a satisfactory research essay. The major field is examined by means of two written examinations, one of which must involve translation from the list of primary sources, and an oral examination covering the research essay and the examination papers. The major field examination should be completed by the middle of Year 4.

• The dissertation should be completed by the end of Year 5.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

6 years

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

PhD Program (Advanced-Standing)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Classics' additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants may be admitted with advanced standing if they have completed the revised MA program at the University of Toronto (having graduated in the year 2000 or later) with grades of at least B+ in all components, and a grade of at least A- on the Graduate Research Paper.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Satisfactory completion of:

  • GRK 1000H (0.5 FCE) or equivalent

  • LAT 1000H (0.5 FCE) or equivalent.

• At the department's discretion, students who need additional preparation may be required to take a selection of courses approved by the department during Year 1 before beginning to prepare for the qualifying examinations. Students will be notified of such additional requirements at the time of their offers of admission or early in their first session.

  • CLA 2000Y (1.0 FCE) Graduate Research Paper with a grade of at least A-. Doctoral students who complete the Graduate Research Paper at a lower standard which nevertheless satisfies the MA requirement will be granted the MA. Students admitted with advanced standing are exempt from the Graduate Research Paper.

  • 10 seminars with an A- average, including at least two outside the student’s field of specialization (one of which must not be offered or cross-listed by the Department of Classics).

  • Satisfactory participation for at least two years in the seminar series for the student’s field (SRD 4444Y or AMP 2000Y).

• Qualifying exam. Completion of the Greek qualifying examination and Latin qualifying examination with grades of at least B+. One of these exams must be passed by the end of Year 2, and both must be passed by the end of Year 3 of the PhD. Doctoral students who complete the qualifying examinations at a lower standard which nevertheless satisfies the MA requirement will be granted the MA. Students admitted with advanced standing are exempt from the qualifying examinations.

• Satisfactory completion of sight translation examinations in both Greek and Latin with grades of at least B+. This requirement must be completed before the major field examination is attempted. Students whose field is Greek and Roman History may satisfy this requirement with a grade of at least B+ on the sight translation examination in one language and a grade of at least B on the sight translation examination in the other language.

• Demonstration of adequate reading knowledge of two languages of research other than English, one of which will normally be German, before the major field examination is attempted.

• Satisfactory completion of the major field examination (CLA 4000Y⁰). The major field defines a broad area of specialization, within which the dissertation topic will fall. It is normally established by Year 2 and is directed by the supervisory committee. Preparation for the major field examination includes the completion of a satisfactory research essay. The major field is examined by means of two written examinations, one of which must involve translation from the list of primary sources, and an oral examination covering the research essay and the examination papers. The major field examination should be completed by the middle of Year 3.

• The dissertation should be completed by the end of Year 4.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Classics' additional admission requirements stated below.

• Successful completion of a strong bachelor's program in classics with at least an A- average in the final year. All students must have the equivalent of at least four years of training in either Latin or Greek and at least three years in the other language, and a broad preparation in the reading of ancient texts in the original languages.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Satisfactory completion of:

  • GRK 1000H (0.5 FCE) or equivalent

  • LAT 1000H (0.5 FCE) or equivalent.

• At the department's discretion, students who need additional preparation may be required to take a selection of courses approved by the department during Year 1 before beginning to prepare for the qualifying examinations. Students will be notified of such additional requirements at the time of their offers of admission or early in their first session.

  • CLA 2000Y (1.0 FCE) Graduate Research Paper with a grade of at least A-. Doctoral students who complete the Graduate Research Paper at a lower standard which nevertheless satisfies the MA requirement will be granted the MA.

  • 10 seminars with an A- average, including at least two outside the student’s field of specialization (one of which must not be offered or cross-listed by the Department of Classics).

  • Satisfactory participation for at least two years in the seminar series for the student’s field (SRD 4444Y or AMP 2000Y).

• Qualifying exam. Completion of the Greek qualifying examination and Latin qualifying examination with grades of at least B+. One of these exams must be passed by the end of Year 2, and both must be passed by the end of Year 3 of the PhD. Doctoral students who complete the qualifying examinations at a lower standard which nevertheless satisfies the MA requirement will be granted the MA.

• Satisfactory completion of sight translation examinations in both Greek and Latin with grades of at least B+. This requirement must be completed before the major field examination is attempted. Students whose field is Greek and Roman History may satisfy this requirement with a grade of at least B+ on the sight translation examination in one language and a grade of at least B on the sight translation examination in the other language.

• Demonstration of adequate reading knowledge of two languages of research other than English, one of which will normally be German, before the major field examination is attempted.

• Satisfactory completion of the major field examination (CLA 4000Y⁰). The major field defines a broad area of specialization, within which the dissertation topic will fall. It is normally established by Year 3 of the program and is directed by the supervisory committee. Preparation for the major field examination includes the completion of a satisfactory research essay. The major field is examined by means of two written examinations, one of which must involve translation from the list of primary sources, and an oral examination covering the research essay and the examination papers. The major field examination should be completed by the middle of Year 4.

• The dissertation should be completed by the end of Year 5.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

Not all courses are offered every year. Please consult the department for course offerings.

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

Research Seminars

The following courses are open to students in other departments with the permission of the instructor and the Department of Classics. See the departmental brochure or website for language requirements. Not all courses are offered every year. See the departmental brochure or website for course offerings in the current year.

Directed Reading