Graduate Studies
Pursuing a MA or PhD in the Department of Classics
The Department of Classics welcomes students who wish to pursue MA and PhD degrees. Study may focus on the traditional subdisciplines of Greek and Roman Literature and History, as well as on Ancient Philosophy. Alternatively, students may opt to explore Classical culture and its legacy in several other areas of interest distinctively cultivated by members of the Classics faculty, along with colleagues in the Program in Religious Studies and Arabic. Such areas include late-antique, patristic, Byzantine and medieval philosophy, theology and religion.
Take a look at our current Graduate Handbook.
Language requirements
Greek and Latin are taught at all levels, and competency in both languages is required for theses in the traditional areas of Classical Studies. Students focussing on the intersections of Classical and later thought in the Mediterranean world and the Middle East may, in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator and supervising faculty member, substitute Classical Arabic for either or Latin or Greek. Students focussing mainly on Ancient Philosophy, Greek patristics, Byzantine philosophy and theology, Latin patristics, and Latin medieval philosophy and planning to continue their studies or pursue an academic career in these areas may, as appropriate, in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator and supervising faculty member, limit their language study to ancient and Byzantine Greek, or ancient and medieval Latin, or either of these in combination with Arabic. In addition to ancient languages, students are required to conduct research in the most relevant modern languages as well.
Faculty areas of expertise
The following indicates faculty expertise in the several broad areas in which graduate students may focus (for further particulars, candidates should consult individual faculty profiles posted on the Classics webpage, including those of adjunct faculty):
Greek and Roman History
E. Varto, P. O’Brien, J. Mitchell
Greek and Roman Literature
E. Varto, L. MacLeod, P. O’Brien, J. Mitchell
Greek, Roman, and Hellenistic Philosophy
E. Diamond, M. Fournier
Late Ancient, Patristic, Byzantine & Medieval Philosophy, Theology & Religion
M. Fournier, P. O’Brien, G. Thorne, A. Treiger
MA students may concentrate in any of the above fields. PhD candidates must limit their work to Hellenic and Hellenistic Studies.
Masters degree
Admission requirements
Candidates must satisfy the admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. For students wishing to pursue traditional Classics degrees, the requirement of both Classical languages at the Honours level may sometimes be relaxed, for example when a student has taken a Combined Honours course involving only one Classical language to the advanced level. In such cases, at least two full years of classes in the second language will be taken in addition to the MA course proper, with the expectation of gaining advanced standing. Students focussing mainly on ancient Philosophy, Greek patristics, Byzantine philosophy and theology, Latin patristics, and Latin medieval philosophy should see the statement above. In certain programs, a knowledge of other ancient languages may be required.
Procedure
Students contemplating studying for a Masters degree should count on spending at least a full year to complete their classes and thesis. It typically takes two full years. Residency in Halifax is required during this period.
Six graduate classes in the general area of interest are required, including seminars and classes with language requirements. It may be possible to substitute a reading and research course for a seminar. Candidates are expected to attend graduate seminars related to their thesis throughout their period of full-time study. A thesis, usually between 100 and 150 pages, is required.
MA students should consult the Department’s Graduate Studies Handbook for further departmental regulations for the MA. They should also consult the regulations in the Dalhousie Graduate Calendar.
Doctor of Philosophy degree
Admission Requirements
The normal admission requirement is the MA in Classics or equivalent preparation. The minimum residence requirement for such candidates is two years, during which time they must satisfy the general requirements of the Faculty, and, in addition, must demonstrate competence in the languages (ancient and modern) necessary for research in their particular fields of study.
Procedure
All candidates are expected to have a broad understanding of all aspects of classical culture. Within the general area of Hellenic-Hellenistic Studies, each candidate is expected to concentrate, with the guidance of a supervising committee, in one of three fields: History, Literature, and Philosophy.
In consultation with their supervising committee, PhD candidates will take such courses as are deemed necessary preparation.
Before submitting a thesis, the candidate must pass a comprehensive examination (written and oral) in his or her special field. This will normally be taken towards the end of the second or beginning of the third year of study.
PhD students should consult the Department’s Graduate Studies Handbook, the Graduate Calendar, and obtain a copy of the departmental regulations governing the PhD program for further information.
Application
Masters and doctoral applicants should apply using the forms available at the Faculty of Graduate Studies website. Please note that in addition to the materials required by the Dalhousie FGS, the Department of Classics requests an additional letter of reference (for a total of three), a writing sample (e.g. a term paper or thesis chapter of about twenty pages), a list of Greek and Latin texts that the applicant has read in the original language and a thesis research/personal interest statement of one-two pages (for the latter, a CGS research proposal or other major scholarship proposal, with a paragraph indicating why you are interested in pursuing this project at Dalhousie will serve well).
Funding
MA Program: All applicants for the MA program will be considered, on a competitive basis, for scholarship funding. Such funding is generally available in three forms: Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) Scholarships, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Scholarships (CGS-M), and Izaak Walton Killam Predoctoral Scholarships. A full conspectus of available scholarships is available at the FGS site . The application process for scholarships is described fully at that site, but applicants should keep the following in mind:
- Students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents and who wish to be considered for FGS Scholarships are strongy encouraged to apply for the SSHRC CGS-M; students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents and who wish to be considered for Killam Scholarships MUST apply for the SSHRC CGS-M. Further information regarding this scholarship is available here. The deadlines for the SSHRC CGS-M applications fall in the autumn of the year preceding the year in which studies begin, usually around December 1. N.B.: You do not have to apply to the MA program before you apply for the CGS-M or Killam Scholarships, but you must have applied and have been admitted before accepting them.
- Students wishing to apply for the Killam Scholarship must apply through Dalhousie’s Harmonized Scholarship Process (HSP). In order to be considered for this scholarship, Canadian Citizens and permanent residents must have already applied for the SSHRC CGS-M in the fall (they can use their CGS-M application materials in the Harmonized Scholarship Process if they opt-in at the CGS-M deadline). The deadline for the HSP is in January, and is published on the FGS website.
- All candidates wishing to be considered for Faculty of Graduate Studies Scholarships administered by the Department, should apply no later than April 1, which falls well in advance of the absolute admission deadline of June 1. See deadlines for Killam Scholarships and SSHRC Scholarshipsabove.
PhD Program: Doctoral students will only be accepted with external scholarship funding (e.g. SSHRC or Killam Scholarships). They are not eligible for FGS Scholarships in the Department of Classics.
A full conspectus of available scholarships is available at the FGS site. The application process for scholarships is described fully at that site, but applicants should keep the following in mind:
- Students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents and who wish to be considered for Killam Scholarships must apply for the SSHRC CGS-D. Further information regarding this scholarship is available here. The deadlines for the SSHRC CGS-D applications fall in the autumn of the year preceding the year in which studies begin, usually around October 1 (note early date!). N.B.: You do not have to apply to the MA program before you apply for the CGS-D or Killam Scholarships, but you must have applied and have been admitted before accepting them.
- Students wishing to apply for the Killam Scholarship must apply through Dalhousie’s Harmonized Scholarship Process (HSP). In order to be considered for this scholarship, Canadian Citizens and permanent residents must have already applied for the SSHRC CGS-D in the fall (they can use their CGS-D application materials in the Harmonized Scholarship Process if they opt-in at the CGS-D deadline). The deadline for the HSP is in January, and is published on the FGS website.
All admitted students (MA and PhD) will be considered for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship.
For more information, email our Graduate Advisor at clasgrad@dal.ca.