402 Phelps Hall, 203.432.0977
http://classics.yale.edu
M.A., Ph.D.

Chair
Noel Lenski

Director of Graduate Studies
Brad Inwood [F] (dgs.classics@yale.edu)
Christina Kraus [Sp] (dgs.classics@yale.edu)

Professors Egbert Bakker, Kirk Freudenburg, Milette Gaifman (Classics; History of Art), Verity Harte (Classics; Philosophy), Brad Inwood (Classics; Philosophy), Christina Kraus, Noel Lenski (Classics; History), Pauline LeVen (Classics; Humanities), J.G. Manning (Classics; History)

Associate Professor Andrew Johnston

Assistant Professors Malina Buturović, Alexander Ekserdjian (Classics; History of Art), Benedek Kruchio, Jessica Lamont, Erika Valdivieso

Senior Lector and Language Program Coordinator James Patterson

Lecturers John Dillon, Timothy Robinson

Affiliated Faculty and Secondary Appointments David Charles (Philosophy; Classics), John Hare (Divinity School), Yii-Jan Lin (Divinity School), Susan Matheson (Curator of Ancient Art, Yale Art Gallery), Teresa Morgan (Divinity School), Laura Nasrallah (Divinity School), Kathryn Slanski (Humanities; Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations), George Syrimis (Hellenic Studies), Kevin van Bladel (Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations)

Fields of Study

The degree programs in classics seek to provide an overall knowledge of Greek and Roman civilization, combined with specialized work in a number of fields or disciplines within the total area of classical antiquity.

Grading and Good Standing

In addition to the graduate school’s requirement of Honors grades in at least one yearlong course or two term courses, students must have a High Pass average in the remaining courses. Admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. is granted upon completion of all predissertation requirements not later than the end of the seventh term of study.

The faculty considers experience in the teaching of language and literature to be an important part of this program. Students in Classics typically teach in their third and fourth years of study.

Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree in Classical Philology

1. Practice translation exams in Greek and Latin on texts assigned from the Classical Philology Ph.D. reading lists; these are taken before the beginning of the first and third terms and are meant to help students prepare for the qualifying translation exams to be taken before the beginning of the fifth term in the program.
2. Departmental reading examinations in French (or Italian) and German, or approved Yale courses or examinations that demonstrate reading proficiency in these languages (e.g., by achieving a grade of A in “French/German/Italian for Reading Knowledge,” or by passing proficiency exams administered by Yale’s modern language departments). The department will also accept certain certificates of proficiency in French, German, or Italian in lieu of these exams, as listed in the Classics Graduate Handbook. One modern language exam is to be passed by the end of the first year in residence and the second by the end of the second year in residence.
3. A proseminar offering an introduction to the discipline of Classics and its various subdisciplines (not for credit), and a minimum of twelve term courses to include: (i) two yearlong survey courses in the history of Greek and Latin literature (four courses in total); (ii) at least four seminars, of which two have to be literary seminars in one language, and one in the other; (iii) one course in ancient history (either an 800-level seminar or a 600-level materials course), and one in classical art and archaeology; and (iv) two courses on Greek and Latin language, comprising composition, linguistics, and stylistics (currently GREK 703 and LATN 790).
4. Oral examinations in Greek and Latin literature, based on the syllabus covered by the survey courses, drawn from the Classical Philology Ph.D. reading lists. These are to be taken closely following the surveys in the respective literatures, as follows: the first, at the end of the second term (May of the first year), the second at the end of the fourth term (May of the second year).
5. Translation examinations in Greek and Latin, based on the Classical Philology Ph.D. reading lists, by the beginning of the fifth term in residence.
6. Special fields oral examinations will occur at the beginning of the sixth term, and consist of four areas of special concentration selected by the candidate in consultation with the DGS. One of the special fields should be related to the student’s chosen dissertation topic; the three other fields are in each of the two ancient languages/cultures; one historical topic, or a topic with historical potential, is advised. In addition to the oral exam, the student will be asked to write a short summary of the dissertation topic and submit this summary and a working dissertation title to the special fields examiners and to the dissertation adviser (who may or may not have worked on the project as a “special topic” with the student). The summary should discuss where the student’s work stands at the beginning of the term and how the student expects the research will progress over the course of the sixth term as the student writes the formal dissertation prospectus.
7. A dissertation prospectus by the end of the sixth term in residence.
8. A dissertation. Once dissertation writing has begun, students will present work in progress from the dissertation at least once per academic year. Research presentations will normally take the form of pre-circulation of a selection of work from the dissertation and a discussion of it with interested faculty, or some other research presentation experience approved by the DGS. This is a requirement for remaining in good standing; exemptions from the requirement require support of the dissertation adviser and the approval of the graduate committee.

Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree in Classical Art and Archaeology

The program is designed to give a general knowledge of the development of art and architecture in the classical world from the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity, combined with a detailed study of one particular period and area; and an acquaintance with the contribution made by field archaeology. The program has a strong art historical component, and it is expected that each student will take advantage of available opportunities to visit the major sites and monuments.

1. Practice translations in Greek and Latin; these are taken before the beginning of the first and third terms and are meant to assess the student’s proficiency and progress in both languages.
2. A proseminar offering an introduction to the discipline of classics and its various subdisciplines (not for credit).
3. Departmental reading examinations in Italian (or French) and German, or approved Yale courses or examinations that demonstrate reading proficiency in these languages (e.g., by achieving a grade of A in “French/German/Italian for Reading Knowledge,” or by passing proficiency exams administered by Yale’s modern language departments). The department will also accept certain certificates of proficiency in French, German, or Italian in lieu of these exams, as listed in the Classics Graduate Handbook. One modern language exam is to be passed by the end of the first year in residence and the second by the end of the second year in residence.
4. A minimum of fourteen term courses: (i) a minimum of six courses should be in Greek and/or Roman art and/or archaeology (at least four must be seminars); (ii) a minimum of two courses should be in a related field of the history of art, for example Medieval or Renaissance; (iii) a minimum of two courses should be in Greek or Roman history, numismatics, or papyrology; (iv) of the remaining four courses, at least two should be seminars in Greek or Latin literature—students must demonstrate a competence in Greek and Latin, usually by passing at least one 400/700-level course in each language.
5. A written examination in classical art and archaeology, by the beginning of the sixth term. The examination consists of identifications of works of art and architecture and essays, followed by an oral exam in four areas of Greek and Roman art and architecture (time period, locale, genre, free choice), with specific topics within those categories agreed upon in advance by the candidate, adviser, and the DGS in Classics. Consideration is normally given to the probable dissertation topic and the way in which preparation for the orals might enhance the writing of the dissertation prospectus.
6. A dissertation prospectus, normally by the end of the sixth term in residence.
7. A dissertation. Once dissertation writing has begun, students will present work in progress from the dissertation at least once per academic year. Research presentations will normally take the form of pre-circulation of a selection of work from the dissertation and a discussion of it with interested faculty, or some other research presentation experience approved by the DGS. This is a requirement for remaining in good standing; exemptions from the requirement require support of the dissertation adviser and the approval of the graduate committee.

Combined Programs

Classics and Comparative Literature

Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree in Classics and Comparative Literature

1. Practice translation exams in Greek and Latin on texts assigned from the Classics and Philology Ph.D. reading lists; these are taken before the beginning of the first and third terms and are meant to help students prepare for the qualifying translation exams to be taken before the beginning of the fifth term in the program.
2. A minimum of fourteen term courses: (i) at least seven in Classics, which includes two yearlong surveys (four courses) in the history of Greek and Latin literature, two 800-level seminars, and the proseminar in Classics (not for credit); (ii) at least six courses in Comparative Literature; of these at least four courses should be on postclassical European literature; (iii) of these fourteen courses, twelve must be taken in the first two years of study; the last two, which must be Classics 800-level seminars, are to be taken in the third year, normally one in each term; (iv) the course work across the two programs should include at least two courses on literary theory or methodology, and at least one course each in poetry, narrative fiction, and drama.
3. Literary proficiency in German and in one other modern language, to be demonstrated by the end of the second year in residence.
4. Oral examinations in Greek and Latin literature, based on the syllabus covered by the survey courses, drawn from the Classical Philology Ph.D. reading lists. These are to be taken closely following the surveys in the respective literatures, as follows: the first, at the end of the second term (May of the first year), the second at the end of the fourth term (May of the second year).
5. Translation examinations in Greek and Latin, based on the Classical Philology Ph.D. reading lists, by the beginning of the fifth term in residence.
6. An oral examination in the Comparative Literature department on six topics appropriate to both disciplines, selected in consultation with the two directors of graduate studies, balancing a range of kinds of topics and including poetry, narrative fiction, and drama, and at least one significant cluster of postclassical texts, by the middle of the sixth term. One of the topics studied will be related to the student’s dissertation topic.
7. A dissertation prospectus, by the end of the sixth term in residence. The prospectus must be approved by the DGS in each department (and by the Comparative Literature prospectus committee) by the end of the sixth term in residence. At least one dissertation director must come from the Comparative Literature core faculty.
8. A dissertation. Once dissertation writing has begun, students will present work in progress from the dissertation at least once per academic year. Research presentations will normally take the form of pre-circulation of a selection of work from the dissertation and a discussion of it with interested faculty, or some other research presentation experience approved by the DGS. This is a requirement for remaining in good standing; exemptions from the requirement require support of the dissertation adviser and the approval of the graduate committee.

Classics and Early Modern Studies

Admission requirements are the same as for Classical Philology. Students are admitted to the Classics department first, and then apply during the second term of their first year to participate in the Combined Program in Classics and Early Modern Studies. 

Requirements for the Combined Ph.D. Degree in Classics and Early Modern Studies

1. Practice translation tests in Greek and Latin on texts assigned from the Classical Philology reading lists; these are taken before the beginning of the first and third terms and are meant to help students prepare for the qualifying translation exams to be taken before the beginning of the fifth term in the program (7. below);
2. A proseminar offering an introduction to the discipline of Classics and its various subdisciplines, to be taken in the first year in residence;
3. Departmental reading examinations in French (or Italian) and German. The first (in either language) is to be passed by the end of the first year; the other may be passed at any time before submission of the dissertation; students are, however, encouraged to complete this requirement as early in the program as possible. 
4. A minimum of twelve term courses, with the following stipulations: (i) two yearlong survey courses in the history of Greek and Latin literature (four courses in total); (ii) four courses prescribed by Early Modern Studies, including EMST 700, which counts for a single course; (iii) four other graduate courses in CLSS. In addition, EMST 800 (Early Modern Colloquium) must be taken concurrently with EMST 700; and EMST 900 (the prospectus workshop) is taken in the third year. Neither of these two courses (EMST 800 and EMST 900) count towards the minimum course requirement; 
5. Greek and Latin composition (this requirement may, but need not, be satisfied by courses taken under [4] above);
6. Oral examinations in Greek and Latin literature, based on the syllabus covered by the survey courses, drawn from the Classical Philology Ph.D. reading list. These are to be taken closely following the surveys in the respective literatures, as follows: the first, at the end of the second term (May of the first year), the second at the end of the fourth term (May of the second year);
7. Translation examinations in Greek and Latin, based on the Classical Philology Ph.D. reading list, by the beginning of the fifth term in residence;
8. Four special field exams to be taken in the fall of the third year (fifth term in residence); two of these must be at least partly in a classical field and two must be at least partly in an early modern field. 
9. A dissertation prospectus by the end of the sixth term in residence. The procedures for approval of the prospectus are as for the Philology program, but at least one member of the EMS faculty, as approved by the DGS in Early Modern Studies, must be on the prospectus approval committee (which is a committee of the whole in Classics); the prospective thesis committee, the DGS and the EMS faculty member must approve of the prospectus.
10. A dissertation. Once dissertation writing has begun, students will present work in progress from the dissertation at least once per academic year. Research presentations will normally take the form of pre-circulation of a selection of work from the dissertation and a discussion of it with interested faculty, or some other research presentation experience approved by the DGS. This is a requirement for remaining in good standing; exemptions from it require the support of the dissertation adviser and the approval of the graduate committee.

Classics and History

The combined degree program in Classics and History, with a concentration in Ancient History, is offered by the Departments of Classics and History for students wishing to pursue graduate study in the history of the ancient Mediterranean and western Eurasia.

The combined degree in Classics and History offers students a comprehensive education in the fundamental skills and most current methodologies in the study of the ancient Greek and Roman Mediterranean and its interaction with Eurasian and African cultures and landscapes. Its object is to train leaders in research and teaching by preparing them to handle the basic materials of ancient history through mastery of the traditional linguistic and technical skills. At the same time the combined degree in Classics and History encourages students to rediscover, reshape, and repurpose traditional and nontraditional source materials using the most up-to-date and sophisticated tools at the historian’s disposal.

Students are called on to complete course work in two ancient languages, historical theory, intra- and interdisciplinary skills, and fundamental research seminars. Interdisciplinary expertise is fostered through the annual seminar coordinated through the Yale Program for the Study of Ancient and Premodern Cultures and Societies (Archaia) and through required study in ancillary fields. Exams are rigorous and aimed at helping students hone skills and explore new terrain in ancient studies. Students are encouraged to take advantage of Yale’s superior collections and library resources in order to explore new avenues in their learning and approaches to historical problems. Yale’s outstanding faculty in Classics, History, and related disciplines, such as Near Eastern languages and cultures, religious studies, art history, and anthropology, work together to ensure broad and deep learning that will enable our students to become world leaders in the field.

Requirements for the Combined Ph.D. Degree in Classics and History

1. Classics proseminar offering an introduction to the discipline of Classics and its various subdisciplines, to be taken in the first year in residence (not for credit), and a minimum of twelve term courses, including: (i) the historical methods and theory course, Approaching History (HIST 500); (ii) Archaia core seminar (CLSS 815 or equivalent); (iii) two graduate-level courses in two separate ancient languages. For students who are admitted in Classics, these must be Greek and Latin. Students who are admitted in History must study either Greek or Latin, and they may study both but may also choose another ancient language to fulfill this requirement. The surveys of Greek and Latin literature offered by Classics are encouraged but not mandatory for fulfillment of this requirement; (iv) two skills courses. These may include topics selected from epigraphy (epigraphy courses may be used to fulfill the language requirement concurrently); archaeology; art history; papyrology; numismatics; digital data, GIS, digital humanities, vel sim.; an advanced course in a non-classical ancient language (no more than one such course may be used in fulfillment of this requirement). Students are also encouraged to take advantage of educational opportunities outside of Yale (American Numismatic Society Summer Seminar; an archaeological excavation, e.g., the Gabii project); (v) four courses (at least two of which must be research seminars) in the history of the ancient Mediterranean world; historical courses that have a heavy skill component may be used concurrently to fulfill the skills requirement; (vi) two courses outside of ancient Mediterranean history, to be taken in programs outside of the Department of Classics; these are meant to introduce students to different historical periods, regions, and methodologies. Possibilities include (but are not limited to): social sciences (economics, anthropology, sociology, environmental science, statistics); religion (religious studies, Divinity School, Jewish studies); Near Eastern languages and civilizations (Egyptian language, Hebrew, Aramaic, Syriac, Arabic); anthropology and archaeology; physical and biological sciences (paleoclimatology, ecology and forestry, genetics, medicine).
2. Practice translation exams in Greek and/or Latin, depending on which languages are required for the student’s program, based on texts assigned from the appropriate Classics and History Ph.D. reading lists. These exams are taken before the beginning of the first and third terms and are meant to help students prepare for the qualifying translation exams to be taken before the beginning of the fifth term in the program.
3. Departmental reading examinations in German, and in either French or Italian, or approved Yale courses or examinations that demonstrate reading proficiency in these languages (e.g., by achieving a grade of A in “German/French/Italian for Reading Knowledge,” or by passing proficiency exams administered by Yale’s modern language departments). The department will also accept certain certificates of proficiency in French, German, or Italian in lieu of these exams, as listed in the Classics Graduate Handbook. One modern language exam is to be passed by the end of the first year in residence and the second by the end of the second year in residence.
4. Translation examinations in two ancient languages. For students admitted through Classics, these must be Greek and Latin. For students admitted through History, at least one must be either Greek or Latin. Greek and Latin examinations will be based on the Classics and History Greek and Latin Ph.D. reading lists and will consist of a choice of eight passages in each language. For each language, students will be required to translate four of the eight passages, to include one verse passage, one documentary text (epigraphy/papyrology), and two passages of prose from literary sources. Some History students may find that expertise in another language—such as Hebrew, Aramaic/Syriac, Demotic, Coptic, Classical Armenian, or Sanskrit—is most beneficial for their research and teaching trajectory. Reading lists for these nonclassical languages will be devised by the student in collaboration with the faculty adviser and other relevant member(s) of the Yale faculty, and fixed in writing no later than the end of the fourth term in residence. Examinations in these languages will also consist of a choice of eight passages, of which students must translate four, to be set and evaluated by faculty expert in the given language. Translation exams in all languages must be taken at the beginning of the fifth term in residence.
5. A general examination in Ancient History during the third year and no later than the end of the sixth term in residence. This is to be broken into one major and two minor fields. For the major field, students must prepare an 8,000-word essay in advance of the oral examination. For each of the minor fields, students must prepare a syllabus for an undergraduate class. The written essays and syllabi must be submitted by a fixed date, typically on the Friday before Thanksgiving or spring break. Oral exams will be completed shortly afterward to ensure time for the completion of the dissertation prospectus.
6. A dissertation prospectus by the end of the sixth term in residence.
7. A dissertation. By the end of their ninth term, students are required to submit a chapter of their dissertation, which will be discussed with the student by the committee in a chapter conference.

Classics and Philosophy

The Classics and Philosophy Program is a combined program, offered by the Departments of Classics and Philosophy, for students wishing to pursue graduate study in ancient philosophy. The combined program is overseen by an interdepartmental committee currently consisting of Verity Harte, David Charles, and Brad Inwood together with the DGS in Classics and the DGS in Philosophy.

Requirements of the Classics Track of the Classics and Philosophy Program

1. Practice translation exams in Greek and Latin on texts assigned from the Classics and Philosophy Ph.D. reading lists; these are taken before the beginning of the first and third terms and are meant to help students prepare for the qualifying translation exams to be taken before the beginning of the fifth term in the program.
2. A proseminar offering an introduction to the discipline of Classics and its various subdisciplines (not for credit).
3. Departmental reading examinations in French (or Italian) and German, or approved Yale courses or examinations that demonstrate reading proficiency in these languages (e.g., by achieving a grade of A in “French/German/Italian for Reading Knowledge,” or by passing proficiency exams administered by Yale’s modern language departments). The department will also accept certain certificates of proficiency in French, German, or Italian in lieu of these exams, as listed in the Classics Graduate Handbook. One modern language exam is to be passed by the end of the first year in residence and the second by the end of the second year in residence.
4. A minimum of fourteen term courses, of which (i) at least four should be in ancient philosophy, including at least two involving original language work; (ii) of ten remaining courses, five should be in Classics, five in Philosophy, including (a) of five in Classics, either two terms of history of Greek literature or two terms of history of Latin literature are required, and two courses at 700/800-level in Greek or Latin; and (b) of five in Philosophy, one in history of philosophy other than ancient philosophy, three in nonhistorical philosophy. It is recommended that students without formal training in logic take a logic course appropriate to their philosophical background.
5. Translation examinations in Greek and Latin, based on the Classics and Philosophy Ph.D. reading lists for the Classics track of the program, by the beginning of the fifth term in residence.
6. Oral examinations in Greek and Latin literature, based on the Classics and Philosophy Ph.D. reading lists for the Classics track of the program, by the end of the fifth term in residence and consisting of one hourlong oral examination on nonphilosophical Greek and Latin works from the list (which may be taken in two parts, one half-hour exam on Greek and one half-hour exam on Latin) and one hourlong oral examination on philosophical Greek and Latin works from the list, to be completed by the end of the fifth term in residence. Students may choose to take the nonphilosophical Greek and/or Latin half-hour component of their oral examination in conjunction with taking the history of Greek or Latin literature, along with the Classical Philology cohort, in May of the year in which the corresponding history is taken.
7. One of the two qualifying papers required for the Ph.D. in Philosophy by the end of the sixth term in residence; this paper should be on a philosophical topic other than ancient philosophy.
8. Oral examinations/special fields in two areas of concentration selected by the candidate in consultation with the DGS in Classics and the program committee, one of which must be in ancient philosophy and which will in addition include a written component, while the other must cover a classical topic other than ancient philosophy, by the end of the sixth term in residence.
9. A dissertation prospectus, by the end of the seventh term in residence.
10. A dissertation. For students on the Classics track: once dissertation writing has begun, students will present work in progress from the dissertation at least once per academic year. Research presentations will normally take the form of pre-circulation of a selection of work from the dissertation and a discussion of it with interested faculty, or some other research presentation experience approved by the DGS. This is a requirement for remaining in good standing; exemptions from the requirement require support of the dissertation adviser and the approval of the graduate committee.

The Classical Near East

For information about the Ph.D. specialization in the Classical Near East, please contact Professor Kevin van Bladel in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations.

Archaia Graduate Certificate

The Yale Program for the Study of Ancient and Premodern Cultures and Societies (Archaia) offers a graduate certificate. For further information, see Archaia, under Non-Degree-Granting Programs, Councils, and Research Institutes.

Master’s Degree

M.A. The Department of Classics does not admit students for a terminal master’s degree, nor does it award an M.A. en route to the Ph.D. degree. If, however, a student admitted for the Ph.D. leaves the program prior to completion of the doctoral degree, the student may be eligible to receive a terminal master’s degree upon completion of eight courses, ordinarily with a High Pass average in two successive terms.

Program materials are available upon request to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Classics, Yale University, PO Box 208266, New Haven CT 06520-8266.

Courses