Classics and Ancient History

Degree Offered: MA

Application Deadline: Jan. 15 (for funding consideration) or March 15

Study Options: Thesis, Report

Duration: Two years

Entry Terms: Fall, Winter, Summer

Founded in 1785, UNB’s Classics and Ancient History department has a long history of helping students trace the continuation and evolution of the classical tradition into modern times. Our graduate program offers a wide range of courses, including ancient myth and civilization, language, philosophy, religion, history, art and archaeology—from the Bronze Age through to Byzantine times.

Study the oldest discipline in the humanities at UNB, a friendly campus with small class sizes and dedicated professors. Our students work closely with faculty to tailor a personalized course of study that provides a strong basis for entry into leading PhD programs and professional schools. Many Classics and Ancient History graduates go on to make history themselves.

The program in Classics benefits from the work of the Centre for Hellenic Studies, which was established in 2007 and is the first of its kind in the Atlantic region and one of a very small number across Canada. The purpose of the Centre is to foster an understanding and appreciation of the impact of Hellenic culture and language on contemporary life across such diverse areas as art, architecture, politics, philosophy, religion, social sciences, law, medicine, and the sciences.

Research areas

Greek Literature, Culture, and History

Roman Literature, Culture, and History

Greek Philosophy

Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology

Hellenic Culture and Language

Ongoing projects: Terrestrial laser scanning of ancient sites, Political identity and mythology in Greek and Roman history, Greek History and Ancient Warfare, Literary and Artistic Responses to Greek Art in Rome, Cultural Memory and the Roman City Scape, The Search for Plato’s Academy, The Roman mint as a reflection of imperial policy and economic realities, Role of Alexander the Great in the political thought of the Hellenistic Jews, Excavations at the Greek Temple of Isthmia and a Roman peristyle house in Abdera, Politics of freedom during the Peloponnesian War.

Current faculty and research areas

Latin Literature and Roman History Dr. Thomas Goud*

Roman History Dr. William Kerr (Retired)

Latin Literature, Greek Literature, and Roman Visual Culture Dr. Carolyn MacDonald

Greek Philosophy and Literature

Greek Philosophy Dr. James Murray (Professor Emeritus)

Greek and Roman Archaeology and Art Dr. Maria Papaioannou (Retired)

Greek History and Ancient Warfare Dr. Matthew Sears

Political Identity and Mythology in Greek and Roman History Dr. Adrian Tronson (Retired)

*UNB Saint John

Application requirements

Applicants should hold an honours, majors or equivalent undergraduate degree in Latin, Greek or Classics with a minimum 3.0 (B) average.

Program requires a reading knowledge of one of the classical languages. Applicants should have at least 18 credits or equivalent in either Greek or Latin, but there are accommodations for students without the complete language requirements.

Applicants are required to submit an application, including three references, a one-page statement of interest and a writing sample (e.g., undergraduate paper).

International Applicants whose first language is not English must submit language scores that meet or exceed international English language testing system (IELTS) band 7.

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