BA in Classical and Medieval Studies

UCAS code: QV81

Summary of course aims

The course aims to provide a through degree level education in Classical and Medieval Studies. It aims to produce graduates who have experience of literary, thematic and genre-based approaches to both the cultures of antiquity and the Medieval period. Students explore issues of critical and historical interpretation and engage with primary sources from both eras.

Course content

The course is divided into 3 Parts (years). You must take 120 credits in each Part.

In Part 1 Mediaeval and Classical Studies are disciplines which lend themselves to critical judgement and problemsolving, both through personal engagement with issues and through dialogue and group discussion. Also integral is the collection, collation and analysis of substantial quantities of material and its communication and presentation.

Part 2 study prompts an awareness of numeracy through chronology, periodisation, and basic quantification. In addition in Part 2, 5 are taken up by Career Management Skills.

Part 3 allows for the development of powerful tools of research, analysis and presentation associated with information technology is reflected in several ways, such as in the location and retrieval of bibliographic and source material, the production and presentation of student work, and, where appropriate, the use of more sophisticated databases and exploitation of the internet.

For a full description of this degree course with the required compulsory and optional modules, please download the programme specification. You are advised to read the programme specification for the current year.

http://www.info.reading.ac.uk/progspecs/prog-index.asp

Career prospects

In recent years students who have gained degrees in Classical and Medieval Studies have gone into a wide variety of jobs, including teaching, publishing, journalism, the media, management, administration, and public relations. As such, they are eagerly sought after by employers. In addition they are given specific vocational training and orientation through a second year Career Management Scheme run by the School in conjunction with the Careers Advisory Service. A number of graduates each year go on to further academic study and research.

Opportunities for study abroad

Students may spend a period of study abroad, normally during Part 2, either in the Fall Semester at the University of Calgary's Department of Greek and Latin (applications need to be made in the Spring term of Year 1) or through the various links of History under the Socrates scheme. A study period abroad is also possible in conjunction with the American Studies course's exchange.