PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MA in Reception of the Classical World
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
M.A.
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Intake cohort(s) to which this
programme specification is applicable:
2012
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Arts & Humanities
Parent Department:
Greek and Latin
(the Department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Web page address:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/classics
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other
full-time (1 year)
part-time (2 years)
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
Upper second in a relevant BA degree (or equivalent OS
qualification).
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
Level 7
None yet available at MA level
(see guidance notes on programme specifications)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme / its assessment:
(see guidance notes on programme specifications)
Board of Examiners:
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
The programme consists of
i. a mandatory core course on ‘Approaches to the Reception of
the Classical World’: 40 credits, assessment by coursework.
ii. optional taught courses (listed in syllabus): 80 credits in total,
assessment varies according to course.
iii. a dissertation of 12-15,000 words on an aspect of the
reception of the classical world: 60 credits.
Name of Board of Examiners:
MA in Reception of the Classical World
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The programme aims to provide graduate students with a thorough grounding in key aspects of and
approaches to the reception of classical culture – understood broadly as its interpretation, appropriation,
representation or reconstruction, and/or revision. It also aims to equip students with the tools for further
research in the reception of the classical world by developing their critical and conceptual understanding in this
field.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and
understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Key figures, narratives, art forms,
concepts, and social, religious & political
practices of the classical world that have
been most put to use by later cultures.
Acquisition of 1, 4 & 5 through the core course,
which will run throughout the year as a weekly twohour seminar or class. Students will be required to
attend all these classes, study extensively on their
own, make oral presentations and prepare different
types of non-assessed coursework regularly (in
addition to assessed coursework). The broad
spread of teachers on this core course, as well as
its chronological range will expose the students to
diverse case studies, media, and methods of
analysis. In addition, many available options such
as ‘Homer’s Legacy’ or ‘Ancient Rome on Film’ are
centrally concerned with the acquisition of such
knowledge and understanding.
2. The languages and literatures of
ancient Greece and Rome.
3. A sound grounding in the range of tools
needed to research the reception of the
classical world, including training in
bibliography, use of digital resources
online, library catalogues, and major
archives.
4. Critical approaches and methodologies
for the study of reception.
5. A broader knowledge of historical
patterns and developments in the
reception of the classical world.
Acquisition of 2 through the relevant available
options, such as beginners Greek, medieval Latin,
Homer or Ovid.
Acquisition of 3 through seminars and research
visits embedded into the core course. Seminars will
provide practical tuition in bibliographic searches,
and the use of a variety of electronic databases.
Research visits will include the Warburg and
Courtauld Institutes, the British and Soane
Museums, and the British Film Institute Library.
Students will be expected to complete an assessed
essay related to these practical research issues.
Assessment:
Assessment will be through dissertation, unseen
examination where appropriate, and coursework
essays.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
The programme aims to enable students
to
(a) engage in analytical and evaluative
discussion of a range of classical
materials and their relationship to their
later reception;
(b) discriminate between opposing
theories and interpretations (such as
setting ‘reception’ against ‘classical
tradition’ approaches);
(c) estimate the relevance of specific
arguments and interpretations;
(d) formulate and present judgments,
both orally and in written form, on the
basis of evidence and argument;
(e) follow original lines of thought and
investigation, and propose new
hypotheses as appropriate.
Intellectual skills are developed through formal
teaching, participation in oral presentations singly or
in groups, independent research, informal activities,
individual supervision, formal assessment and
feedback.
Assessment:
Assessment will be through dissertation, unseen
examination where appropriate, and coursework
essays.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
(a) gather, organise, and analyse
evidence and information, and make
judgements in the absence of complete
data;
(b) deal with complex issues
systematically and creatively, showing
critical judgement and applying
appropriate methodologies;
(c) communicate ideas effectively in oral
and written form;
(d) listen and respond to the ideas of
others in an advanced research context;
(e) develop effective bibliographical and
library research skills;
(f) handle material evidence and visual
data effectively;
(g) devise, prepare, and write an
extensive piece of research;
(h) demonstrate self-direction and
originality in tackling and solving
problems.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
(a) & (b) through weekly classes, coursework
feedback and dissertation supervision; some
assessed coursework will constitute revised essays
and thus reflect a critical dialogue between students
and teachers;
(c) through regular seminar presentations and
coursework;
(d) through seminar discussion and one-to-one
feedback;
(e) through practical instruction and visits to
libraries such as the Warburg’s;
(f) through practical instruction, including site visits
(such as the Soane Museum);
(g) through guidance in class and dissertation
supervision;
(h) in all aspects of the teaching and learning
process, stress will be placed on the importance of
innovative and original thinking about the reception
of the classical world, and on self-motivation.
Assessment:
Assessment will be through dissertation, unseen
examination where appropriate, and coursework
essays.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
(a) present material in a written form, with
discrimination and lucidity in the use of
language, professional referencing and
clear layout;
(b) present material orally in a clear,
effective and persuasive manner;
(c) work constructively and adaptably with
others;
(d) act autonomously in planning, timing
and implementing tasks;
(e) display the independent learning
ability required for continuing professional
development.
Transferable skills are acquired through
participation in seminars and site visits, feedback
from teachers, and dissertation preparation and
supervision; and applied in self-study and the
writing of assignments. Oral communication is
reviewed by class teachers. Planning skills are an
intrinsic part of the delivery of long essays to time
throughout the programme, and of the development
and production of one extended piece of work, the
dissertation.
Assessment:
Assessment will be through dissertation, unseen
examination where appropriate, and coursework
essays.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
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. More detailed information on the learning
outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found
in the Departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed
by the College and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Programme Organiser(s)
Name(s):
Date of Production:
Date of Review:
Professor Maria Wyke
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
October 2015
2007
October 2015
October 2015