Master of Studies in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature

Differences from 2014/15 to 2022/23

  • 1. Candidates must satisfy the board that they possess the necessary qualifications in Greek and/or Latin to profit by the courseCourse.

  • 2. Every candidate must follow for at least three terms a course of instruction in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature. Candidates will, when they enter for the examination, be required to produce from their society a certificate that they are following such a course.

  • 32. Syllabus

    Candidates must take three options from lists A, B, C, and D below, at least one of which must be drawn from AB or BC. Not more than one dissertation (D) may be offered. Every candidate must offer at least one option that requires detailed study of Greek or Latin or of texts in those languages. Options which meet this criterion are specified in the Handbook.

A

The texts for each option will appear in the M.St./M.Phil. handbook issued in Week 0 of the Michaelmas Term preceding the examination. Each option will be examined by (a) one paper of translation (1½ hours) and (b) two pre-submitted essays. The texts listed in the handbook are those which should be studied in preparation for the pre-submitted essays. Passages will be set for translation only from those texts in section (α); the edition will be that listed in the handbook.

For any option approved under A12 the edition will be specified by the Graduate Studies Committee in Classical Languages and Literature.

  • A1. Historiography

    A2. Lyric Poetry

    A3. Early Greek Hexameter Poetry

    A4. Greek Tragedy

    A5. Comedy

    A6. Hellenistic Poetry

    A7. Cicero

    A8. Ovid

    A9. Latin Didactic

    A10. Neronian Literature*.

    A11. Latin Literature from Titus to Trajan*.

  • A12. Any other text or combination of texts approved by the Graduate Studies Committee for Classical Languages and Literature.

*N.B. University classes will be given for only one of options A10. Neronian Literature and A11. Latin Literature from Titus to Trajan each year. For further details, please see the course handbook. 

B

B1. Methods and Techniques of Scholarship. Candidates choosing this option are required to offer two of the following topics:

  • (a) Greek Literary Papyrology;

    (b) Greek Palaeography;

    (c) Latin Palaeography;

    (d) Greek Metre;

    (e) Latin Metre.

Each of these topics will be examined in one paper of 1½ hours, except for (a) Greek Literary Papyrology, which will be examined by a practical test taken in the candidate's own time (as prescribed for option B3 Greek and Latin Papyrology in the M.Phil. in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature). Option B1(a) may not be combined with option B9 below.

B2. Greek textual criticism: Euripides, Orestes 1-347 and 1246-1693: papyri, manuscripts, text. (Honour School of Literae Humaniores, subject 513).

B3. Latin textual criticism. Either

  • (a) Seneca, Medea: manuscripts, text, interpretation (Honour School of Literae Humaniores, subject 524) or

  • (b) Catullus 1-14, 27-39, 44-51, 65-7, 69-76, 95-101, 114-16: manuscripts, text, interpretation (Honour School of Literae Humaniores, subject 515)

University classes will be given for only one of these options each year.

B4. Historical Linguistics and Comparative Philology. This option includes an introduction to the methods and aims of historical and comparative linguistics, the reconstruction of the Indo-European protolanguage and its development into Latin and Greek. The questions set will require specific competence in one of the two classical languages but not necessarily in both. An opportunity will be given for (optional) commentary on Greek or Latin texts.

Each of options B2-B4 will be examined in one paper of three hours.

B5. Any option available in the M.St. in Classical Archaeology, Schedule B. This option will be examined either by two presubmitted essays or by a dissertation of not more than 10,000 words. The deadlines for submission of essays will be those of the M.St. in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature.

B6. Any option available in the M.St. in Greek and/or Roman History, Lists B, and C. The mode of assessment will be as specified in the regulations for the M.St. in Greek and/or Roman History. However, the deadlines for submission will be those of the M.St. in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature.

B7. Reception: Theory and Methods. This option will be examined by two presubmitted essays and requires attendance at the associated classes.

B8. Greek and Latin Literary Papyrology. This option will be examined by one presubmitted essay of up to 5,000 words and by a practical test taken in the candidate's own time (as prescribed for Greek and Latin Papyrology in the M.Phil. for Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature). This option may not be combined with option B1(a) above.

B9.  Any other subject proposed with the aim of developing skills needed for future research and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee in Classical Languages and Literature, which will determine the method of examination.

C

EITHER (i1) Classical Greek: either

  • (a) Elementary Greek. There will be one three-hour paper, consisting of passages of Greek which will test knowledge of Attic grammar and competence in translation from Greek into English.

    or

  • (b) Intermediate Greek. There will be one two-hour paper comprising unseen translation and grammatical questions on prescribed texts and one three-hour paper requiring translation from prescribed texts. A detailed specification and prescribed texts for the paper will appear in the M.St./M.Phil. handbook issued in Week 0 of the Michaelmas Term preceding the examination. Alternative texts for translation under this head may be offered by agreement with the Graduate Studies Committee in Classical Languages and Literature.

    OR (2) Latin: either

    Elementary Latin. There will be one three-hour paper, consisting of passages of Latin prose which will test knowledge of classical Latin grammar and competence in translation from Latin into English.

    or

    Intermediate Latin. There will be one two-hour paper comprising unseen translation and grammatical questions on prescribed texts and one three-hour paper requiring translation from prescribed texts. A detailed specification and prescribed texts for the paper will be published in the MStM.St./MPhilM.Phil. course handbook not later than Monday of Week 0 of the Michaelmas Term preceding the examination. Alternative texts for translation under this head may be offered by agreement with the Graduate Studies Committee in Classical Languages and Literature.

    OR (ii) Latin: either

  • (a) Elementary Latin. There will be one three-hour paper, consisting of passages of Latin prose which will test knowledge of classical Latin grammar and competence in translation from Latin into English.

    or

  • (b) Intermediate Latin. There will be one two-hour paper comprising unseen translation and grammatical questions on prescribed texts and one three-hour paper requiring translation from prescribed texts. A detailed specification and prescribed texts for the paper will be published in the MSt/MPhil course handbook not later than Monday of Week 0 of the Michaelmas Term preceding the examination.

Alternative texts for translation under this head may be offered by agreement with the Graduate Studies Committee in Classical Languages and Literature.

B

  • (i) Methods and Techniques of Scholarship . Candidates are required to offer twoof the following topics:

    • (a) Greek Literary Papyrology;

    • (b) Greek Palaeography;

    • (c) Latin Palaeography;

    • (d) Greek Metre;

    • (e) Latin Metre.

  • Each of these options will be examined in one paper of 1½ hours except for Greek Literary Papyrology, which will be examined by a practical test taken in the candidate's own time (as prescribed for Greek and Latin Papyrology in the M.Phil. for Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature). Option B(i)(a) may not be combined with option B(ix) below.

  • (ii) Euripides, Greek textual criticism : Orestes 1-347 and 1246-1693: papyri, manuscripts, text. (Honour School of Literae Humaniores, option III.13).

  • (iii) Latin textual criticism.

    Either (a ) Seneca, Agamemnon : manuscripts, text, interpretation1

    or (b ) Catullus 1-14, 27-39, 44-51, 65-7, 69-76, 95-101, 114-16 [Honour School of Literae Humaniores, option III.14].1

  • (iv) Historical Linguistics and Comparative Philology .

  • Each of options (ii)-(iv) will be examined in one paper of three hours.

  • (v) Any option available in the M.St. in Classical Archaeology, Schedule B.

  • Option (v) will be examined either by two presubmitted essays or by one written paper of three hours.

  • (vi) Any option available in the M.St. in Greek and/or Roman History, Lists B and C.

  • (vii) Literary Theory for Classical Studies

  • Each of options (vi)-(vii) will be examined by two presubmitted essays.

  • (viii) Theory and Methods of Reception . Option (viii) will be examined by two presubmitted essays and requires attendance at the associated classes.

  • (ix) Greek and Latin Literary Papyrology . This option will be examined by one presubmitted essay and by a practical test taken in the candidate's own time (as prescribed for Greek and Latin Papyrology in the M.Phil. for Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature). This option may not be combined with option B(i)(a ) above.

  • (x) Any other subject proposed with the aim of developing skills needed for future research and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee in Classical Languages and Literature, which will determine the method of examination.

C

Each of the following options will be examined by (a ) one paper of translation (1½ hours) and (b ) two pre-submitted essays. The texts listed are those which should be studied in preparation for the pre-submitted essays. Passages will be set for translation only from those texts in section (α). Passages for translation will be set from the editions listed in the regulations for the Honour School of Literae Humaniores, whenever applicable. For any option approved under 12 the edition will be specified by the Graduate Studies Committee in Classical Languages and Literature.

  • 1. Historiography

    2. Lyric Poetry

    3. Early Greek Hexameter Poetry

    4. Greek Tragedy

    5. Comedy

    6. Hellenistic Poetry

    7. Cicero

    8. Ovid

    9. Latin Didactic

    10. Neronian Literature.

  • 11. Medieval and Renaissance Latin Hexameter Poetry

    α In Latin:

    • 1. Walter of Châtillon, Alexandreis Book 10;

    • 2. Petrarch, Africa Book 9;

    • 3. Vida, Ars Poetica Book 3;

    • 4. Milton, In Quintum Novembris.

  • ß In translation:

    • 1. Walter of Châtillon, Alexandreis Books 1-9;

    • 2. Petrarch, Africa Books 1-8;

    • 3. Vida, Ars Poetica Books 1-2.

The exact prescribed texts for options 1-10 will be as listed in the student handbook.

  • 12. Any other text or combination of texts approved by the Graduate Studies Committee for Classical Languages and Literature.

D

A dissertation (if offered) should be of not more than 10,000 words on a subject to be proposed by the candidate in consultation with the overall supervisor or the supervisor for the dissertation, and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee in Classical Languages and Literature. (The dissertation word limit excludes the bibliography, any text that is being edited or annotated, any translation of that text, and any descriptive catalogue or similar factual matter, but includes quotations, notes, and appendices. A note of the word-count must be included.) Supervisors or others are permitted to give bibliographical help and to discuss drafts.

  • 43. The choice of options and/or dissertation will be subject to the approval of the candidate's supervisor and the Graduate Studies Committee in Classical Languages and Literature, having regard to the candidate's previous experience, the range covered by the candidate's choices, and the availability of teaching and examining resources. Options under B5, B6, and B10 in disciplines other than Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature require the approval of both the Graduate Studies Committee for Classical Languages and Literature and the Graduate Studies Committee responsible for the discipline concerned. The options which the candidate wishes to offer must be submitted to the Academic Administrative Officer, ClassicsIoannou Centre, 66 St. Giles', Oxford OX1 3LU, for approval not later than the Wednesday of theWeek first week1 of Michaelmas Full Term. The candidate should also indicate by this date whether or not he or she wishes to offer a dissertation; the title of the dissertation need not be given until the Friday of theWeek first week1 of Hilary Term (see under 8(i) below).

    Not all options may be available in any given year. 

  • 54. In those options for which candidates are examined by presubmitted essays, twothe essays should each be submitted, each of notno more than 5,000 words in length. Where two essays are required, whichthey should between them display knowledge of more than a narrow range of the topic. (The essay word limit excludes the bibliography, any text that is being edited or annotated, any translation of that text, and any descriptive catalogue or similar factual matter, but includes quotations, notes, and appendices. A note of the word-count must be included.) Supervisors or others are permitted to give bibliographical help with, and to discuss a first draft of, such essays. Supervisors are also required to certify that, in their tutorial and class work, students have covered a wider range of topics within the overall subject.

  • 5. The word limits for pre-submitted essays and for dissertations exclude only the bibliography. Candidates may apply to the Graduate Studies Committee no later than three weeks before the submission deadline for dispensation to exclude certain other types of material from the word-count; guidance is provided in the handbook.

    6. Candidates are required to present themselves for oral examination if summoned by the examiners.

  • 7. TheApproval examinersand may award a distinction for excellence in the whole examination.

  • 8.Submissionsubmission of proposed titles for essays and dissertations:

    • (1i) ThoseCandidates submittingwho twooffer a combination of options examinedrequiring bythe submission of four or more presubmitted essays must submit any two of those essays in Hilary Term.

    • Candidates who offer a combination of options requiring the submission of fewer than four presubmitted essays may submit two essays in Hilary Term if they wish, Alternatively, they may submit these essays in Trinity Term as described under (ii) below.

    • Candidates must submit the proposed titles of two of thoseany essays throughwhich theirthey supervisorsare expecting to submit in Hilary Term to the Academic Administrative Officer, Ioannou Centre, 66 St. Giles', Oxford OX1 3LU, not later than noon on the Monday of theWeek week preceding first week0 of Hilary Full Term.

    • Each Theessay proposed dissertation title, for those offering that option, mustshould be submitteduploaded byto the sameUniversity dateapproved online assessment platform not later than noon on the Thursday of Week 5 of Hilary Full Term.

    • (2ii) ThoseCandidates offering only one option examined by presubmitted essays maymust submit the proposed titles of theirany tworemaining presubmitted essays throughto the Academic Administrative Officer, Ioannou Centre, 66 St Giles’, Oxford OX1 3LU, not later than noon on Friday of Week 1 of Trinity Full Term.

    • Each essay should be uploaded to the University approved online assessment platform not later than noon on the Wednesday of Week 6 of Trinity Full Term.

    • (iii) Candidates offering a dissertation (D) must submit the proposed title of their supervisorsdissertation to the Academic Administrative Officer, Ioannou Centre, 66 St. Giles', Oxford OX1 3LU, not later than noon on the Monday of theWeek week preceding first week0 of Hilary Full Term. Otherwise they must submit the proposed titles of their two essays through their supervisors to the Academic Administrative Officer, Ioannou Centre, 66 St. Giles', Oxford OX1 3LU, not later than Friday of the first week of Trinity Full Term.

    • (3)The Thosedissertation offeringshould morebe thanuploaded two presubmitted essays must offer their proposed titles forto the remainingUniversity essaysapproved byonline Fridayassessment of the first week of Trinity Full Term.

    • (4) The final confirmation of the title of the dissertation, if different from that submitted under (1) above, must be submitted platform not later than Fridaynoon on the Wednesday of theWeek first week6 of Trinity Full Term.

  • 98.Delivery of final copies of essays and dissertations:

    • (1) Two typewritten or printed copies of each presubmitted essay should be sent in a parcel bearing the words 'Essays presubmitted for the M.St. in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature' to the Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford OX1 4BG. If the candidates are offering only one option examined by presubmitted essays, the essays may be sent as above to arrive not later than noon on the Thursday of the fifth week of Hilary Full Term. Otherwise they must be sent as above to arrive not later than noon on the Thursday of the sixth week of Trinity Full Term. If candidates are offering two options examined by presubmitted essays, at least two of the essays must be sent as above to arrive not later than noon on the Thursday of the fifth week of Hilary Full Term; any others must be sent as above to arrive not later than noon on the Thursday of the sixth week of Trinity Full Term.

      In theses and pre-submittedpresubmitted essays all quotations from primary or secondary sources, and all reporting or appropriation of material from those sources, must be explicitly acknowledged. Each candidate must signsubmit a certificate to the effect that the thesis or pre-submitted essay is the candidate's own work, and that the candidate has read the Faculty's guidelines on plagiarism. Thissigned declaration mustof be placedauthorship in a sealed envelope bearing the candidate's examination number and presented together with the thesis or pre-submittedpresubmitted essay.

    • (2)9. Two typewritten or printed copies of dissertations should be delivered in a parcel bearing the words 'Dissertation for the M.St. in Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature' to the Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford OX1 4BG, to arrive not later than noon on the Thursday of the sixth week of Trinity Full Term in which the examination is to be taken.

  • 10. Use of bilingual dictionaries in examinations:

    Any candidate whose native language is not English may bring a bilingual (native language to English) dictionary for use in any examination paper where candidates are required to translate Ancient Greek and/or Latin texts into English.

  •