BA Classical Languages Joint Honours

at Trinity College Dublin The University of Dublin

First and second years
In first year you will be introduced to the critical study of ancient history, culture and literature. The language-based modules you take depend on whether you have studied Greek/Latin before or are taking it up as a beginner. In second year you continue the study of Greek/Latin language, literature and history. Modules are taught by lectures and small-group seminars.

There are six to eight contact hours per week. A combination of end-of-semester examination and continuous assessment (e.g. essays, unseen translations and other language tests, textual commentaries, seminar presentations), and a thesis in the final year forms the assessment.

• Greek and Roman History
• Visual and Material Culture 
• Ancient Greek/Latin for beginners

Elementary Greek/Latin – an intensive introduction to the Ancient Greek or Latin 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 it before entering university.
Ancient Greek/Latin for non-beginners

In the first year you will be introduced to the critical reading of Greek and Latin texts through a close examination and contextualisation of poetry and prose works representative of key aspects of the history of Greek and Latin language and literature. You will expand your vocabulary, gain a deeper understanding of grammar and style, and refine your translation skills as well as your ability to write about ancient literature. In the second year you will continue to consolidate your translation and analysis skills and begin to study Greek/ Latin authors in depth. Greek texts include Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, the Histories of Herodotus, the tragedies of Euripides and Sophocles and the philosophical prose of Plato. Latin texts include the comedies of Plautus and Terence, Cicero’s famous speech On Behalf of Caelius, Virgil’s Aeneid, the love poems of Catullus.

Third and fourth years
In third and fourth years you will progress to an in-depth study of topics in Greek/Latin 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. You will also have the opportunity to develop an independent project on texts not covered in the taught modules.

Greek topics may include Greek lyric poetry, philosophy, history-writing, the novel, and Hellenistic poetry. Latin topics may include Augustan poetry, Senecan tragedy, Didactic poetry, Early Latin, Latin oratory, Informal Latin and Roman satire. In third year, you will study cultural history, while close-reading modules will assist you in improving your fluency and accuracy in interpretation. In fourth year you may also study a special topic in Classical culture and will write a dissertation on a subject of your choice. The dissertation 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.

International Baccalaureate: HL Grade 5 in Greek, Latin, or in a language other than English

The fees for BA Classical Languages Joint Honours may vary from €10,000 to €25,000 annually for tuition fees. The fee's prices may get higher for International Students.

Study of the ancient world develops skills of interpretation and communication that go far beyond a knowledge of books, dates and events; these skills offer positive advantages in the hunt for a job. Recent graduates are working in many fields including the diplomatic service, the civil service, banking and accountancy, business, computers, journalism and broadcasting, law, librarianship, publishing, teaching and theatre. Some graduates opt to pursue an academic career with postgraduate study in Ireland and abroad.