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Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
44
The Freshman years
In the Junior Freshman (first) year you will be introduced to
the critical study of ancient history, culture and literature. The
language-based courses you take depend on whether you have
studied both Greek and Latin before or are taking one of the
languages as a beginner. In your Senior Freshman (second)
year you will continue the study of Greek and Latin language,
literature and history. Courses are taught by lectures and small-
group seminars. There are twelve to fourteen contact hours per
week.
n
Greek and Roman history
– an introductory survey of the
Greek and Roman world, from the Greek Archaic age to
the early Roman Empire. The course covers topics such
as politics and power, Athenian democracy, the conquests
of Alexander, the emergence of Rome as a major imperial
power, colonisation, war and conflict.
n
Mythology and religion
– an introduction to the major
myths and religions of the classical world using both literary
and material evidence. The course also explores theories of
myth and the functions of myth within society.
Greek for non-beginners
n
Greek authors
– text-based courses introduce you to
the critical reading of Greek literature through a close
examination and contextualisation of the oldest and most
influential works in western literature: Homer’s Iliad and
Odyssey, the Histories of Herodotus, the tragedies of
Euripides and Sophocles, and the philosophical prose of
Plato.
n
Greek language
– this course allows you to practice your
translation skills and to study the language of authors not
covered in the text-based courses.
Latin for non-beginners
n
Latin authors
– text-based courses introduce you to the
critical reading of Latin literature through a close examination
and contextualisation of Roman poetry and prose from the
early republican to the imperial period: the comedies of
Plautus and Terence, Cicero’s famous speech On Behalf of
Caelius, Virgil’s Aeneid, the love poems of Catullus and Ovid,
and the letters of Pliny the Younger.
n
Latin language
– this course allows you to practice your
translation skills and to study the language of authors not
covered in the text-based courses.
Greek or Latin for beginners
n
Elementary Greek or Latin
– an intensive introduction to
the language. By the end of the year you will be ready to
read original texts and your command of the language will be
at the same level as those who have studied Greek or Latin
before entering university.
The Sophister years
In the Sophister (third and fourth) years you will progress to
an in-depth study of topics in Greek and Roman literature,
history and culture. You will refine your analysis of texts in their
literary and cultural context through more specialised skills and
methodologies, such as textual criticism, linguistics and literary
theories. Greek topics may include Polybius and the Hellenistic
Empire, Archaic poetry, Greek comedy, and Hellenistic poetry.
Latin topics may include Augustan poetry, Latin historians,
Satire, Desire and the body. In your Junior Sophister (third)
year you will continue to study ancient history, while separate
language classes provide additional assistance in improving
your fluency and accuracy in reading and interpretation. In the
Senior Sophister (fourth) year you will write a thesis on a subject
of your choice. This is an opportunity to do research which will
allow you to develop independent ideas and acquire critical
skills, while investigating in great depth an area that particularly
interests you.
Assessment
A combination of end-of-year examination and continuous
assessment (e.g. essays, unseen translations and other
language tests, textual commentaries, seminar presentations)
and a thesis in the final year.
Study abroad
Trinity College has strong links with many classics departments
abroad, including active participation in the Erasmus exchange
programme with universities in France, Switzerland and
Cyprus. This allows students the option of spending their Senior
Freshman (second) year abroad.
Career opportunities
Trinity College has a long tradition of Classics graduates
who have continued onto postgraduate study and successful
academic careers both in Europe and America. Recent
graduates have also taken up careers in journalism, public
relations, translation and teaching, and with employers such
as the Sunday Independent, the European Commission and
merchant banks.
Further information
E-mail:
Tel: +353 1 896 1208
