Overview
This programme offers students the opportunity to explore early Western intellectual history from a variety of angles, philosophical, literary, and cultural. It will appeal both to those who want an overview of the foundations of modern European thought, and to those with more specialized interests in Classics, Medieval and Renaissance studies, philosophy, or the history of ideas. The general aim is to provide students with a specialized knowledge in aspects of Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance thought, focusing on philosophical writers, literary, historical, and cultural topics, and the history of Western thought. Building upon the strengths of critical thinking, systematic reflection, and historical awareness developed by students in their undergraduate studies, the programme will allow candidates to explore thematic concerns of writers and thinkers in the Western tradition from Ancient Greece and Rome to the sixteenth century and beyond. It will also prepare those who complete the programme at a high level, and have acquired appropriate competences, for research degrees in Classics, Philosophy, or a related field.
MHV60: 1 year Full-time
Course structure
Candidates take a number of taught modules with a total value of 60 credits, spread evenly across the year, and write a dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words under the supervision of a designated supervisor (30 credits). The core module PH626 is compulsory; beyond this, candidates are required to take at least one taught module in Classics and at least one in Philosophy. They may choose between the dissertation in Classics (GC698) and the dissertation in Philosophy (PH699). Taught modules offered in Classics include both Introductory Greek and Introductory Latin, but the study of an ancient language is not compulsory.
MHV61: 2 years Part-time
Across the two years, candidates take a number of taught modules with a total value of 60 credits, and write a dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words under the supervision of a designated supervisor (30 credits). The core module PH626 is compulsory; beyond this, candidates are required to take at least one taught module in Classics and at least one in Philosophy. They may choose between the dissertation in Classics (GC698) and the dissertation in Philosophy (PH699); in either case, the dissertation will be written in the second year. Taught modules offered in Classics include both Introductory Greek and Introductory Latin, but the study of an ancient language is not compulsory.