Classics at Birmingham

I've been given an offer for Classical Literature and Civilisation at The University of Birmingham and was wondering if anybody could tell me how the degree program compares to Classics and Classical Studies degrees at other universities. Also, how good is the department and how respected is the university for this subject? Birmingham wasn't one of my top choices but, due to not getting offers from my top choices, I'll probably be going to Birmingham. I'd feel alot better about going if someone could convince me that studying Classical Literature and Civilisation is a good choice.

Reply 1

silence

i'm an english student but i took a module from the course last year (intro to ancient greece and rome) - it was really well taught and very interesting. classics is a strong department at the uni i'm led to believe. sorry i can't offer much more help though.

Reply 2

DJDJ

the classics department is one of the best in country.

Reply 3

Images and Words

Thanks for the replies so far. Does anyone know if the Classical Literature and Civilisation degree compares more to a Classics degree or a Classical Studies degree at another university? i.e is there a greater emphasis on language and original texts?

Reply 4

HaileyBailey

Heya, I'm first year Classical Lit. and Civ. and Birmingham was my first choice despite being accepted to Warwick, Swansea, Exeter, Leeds and Bristol. I chose Bham partly because of the location but mainly for the course. The Classics department is lovely there are some real characters amongst the lectures who are all very highly regarded and are really passionate about their subject.

Although it is called Classical Lit. and Civ. (CLC) I didn't notice any real difference compared to other Classical Studies programmes out there. There is only a real emphasis on the language if you want there to be. In the first year you can choose to do Latin or Greek either from the beginning (this is what I'm doing) or if you've taken either language at AS or ALevel you can continue it at a higher level. Although you don't have to take either if you don't want to.

In the first year you share lectures with other members of the IAA department who are on different courses, for example my flatmate is taking Ancient History yet we are in all the same lectures along with people who are Archaeology students and East Mediterranean Studies etc. This is great because as well as studying the literature (which is my primary interest) you are given a large scope so I'm developing a great background knowledge about the ancient cultures. In the second year you narrow down on your degree a little more. So I will be spending more time studying the literature and culture of Greece and Rome.

The course is really well organised and run without a hitch. The department makes great use of WebCT which you'll be able to access over the internet so you can look up reading lists, contact details, power point presentations from lectures and the like. (This is a life saver if you need to contact a member of staff or you miss a lecture.)

In terms of work the first year is not to strenuous. I have 7 hours of classes a week, this is about average for arts degrees at Bham. This consists of 1 seminar group of about 15 people where I've been studying Dionysus and before that, Philosophy. I have 2 hours of Latin in which we're doing lots of grammar while translating some plays which is good fun, and the rest is made up of lectures on all sorts of different things. Although I don't spend a huge amount of time in the lecture theatre there is a lot of research and reading to be done so most of my work is done at home or in the library. Your seminars are designed to teach you how to do this so you're eased in to working for yourself very smoothly.

There isn't that much work to be handed in over the term time, unless you take a language where there is a bit of homework to do for each lesson. Since starting the year I had 2 essays to do over the Christmas holiday and this Easter I have 3 to do plus revision. However all the work is set far in advance so you can get in done in advance if you're organised. You also get a reading week in the Autumn and Spring term.

You've asked how the course compares to others at other Universities and this is really hard to comment on as obviously I only have first hand experience of Birmingham but I can tell you that the department is brilliant and I love my course. The best thing I can advise is that you get all your course details for each Uni together and try and write out a list of pros and cons for each one. What I love about my course is it so flexible there is a good range of options so I can really study whatever aspect of the area I like, there are a few restrictions though as sometimes a course you want to take is too popular and fills up fast but this hasn't really affected me too much. I can tell you the Bham is one of (I think) two Universities that offer you a chance to study ancient Egypt which makes it really popular, the other University being Swansea. Oh and I should say that in the second year you get to take part in the very exciting study tour in Europe where you spend a couple of weeks in a place of your choice. Great, huh?

Umm...I think that's it for now but if you have any other questions let me know. As DJDJ said the department is one of the best in the country and it really shows.

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