Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Classics

Summary

The Bachelor of Arts is a flexible degree so you can specialise or study a wide variety of topics. Over the three years of your degree, you will gain the critical thinking, creative problem solving, and communication skills that employers want. Unique practical experiences such as internships are on offer too. The Bachelor of Arts requires a minimum total of 360 points. Each major has specific course requirements, but all consist of a minimum of 135 points in a single Arts subject. Of these, at least 60 points must be at 300-level and at least 45 points at 200-level.

An understanding of the rich Classical past gives students a keen lens through which to view the modern world. Many issues confronting us now were experienced in the ancient Mediterranean and discussed with great insight by people of the time: questions of cultural identity; abuses of political power and the rise of demagogues; the nature-nurture debate; the plight of refugees and asylum seekers; the problematic nature of empire and colonialism, among others.

The very words by which we know such important concepts as democracy, philosophy, theatre, rhetoric, and psychology are Greek in origin, indicating that they are ancient Greek inventions. Likewise, the cultural legacy of Rome is far-reaching, especially in architecture, administration and law-making, in addition to its literature and art.

Study of pre-industrial cultures such as ancient Greece and Rome affords many insights into the lives and experiences of indigenous peoples today. While differences persist, important parallels in myths, attitudes to warfare and social structures can also be recognised between ancient and some contemporary indigenous cultures.

Double degrees

It is possible to combine an Arts degree with other degrees.

Career opportunities

Classics students can conduct internships as part of their studies, for example on material from the Logie collection, enhancing research skills and developing skills central to areas in museums, curatorship studies, and arts management.

The successful study of Classics cultivates highly desirable skills employers want in the 21st century: critical and rigorous thinking, evaluating evidence, constructing arguments, reasoning, analysis, and a well-formed awareness of others’ viewpoints and cultural identity.

Many students who have majored in Classics have gone into teaching and academic careers, while others have branched off into other professions such as art conservation, museum curatorship, music, law, administration, public policy and business. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Internal Affairs and Treasury are always on the lookout for good graduates in Classics.

Further study

The College of Arts has a wide range of options for postgraduate and graduate study with excellent research facilities. Pathways include: Bachelor of Arts with Honours; Master of Arts; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).