Classical Studies / European Master in Classical Cultures (Joint Degree)

Profile of Programme
The Postgraduate Programme in Classics is based on the general principle of the unity of Classical Studies and has been designed to offer well-grounded specialization in Ancient Greek and Latin Studies as well as in the comparative study of Classical Literature. More specifically, the objectives of the Programme are as follows:

(a) To provide students with expert knowledge of the language and literature (including non-literary written documents) of the Ancient Greek and Roman world in greater depth compared to the undergraduate studies in Classics.
(b) To train students in locating and critically appraising scholarly literature as well as in the methodical analysis and interpretation of primary sources in the light of international research findings.
(c) To familiarize students in a more systematic way with theory, methods and the research objects of a number of disciplines adjacent to Classical Philology (Papyrology, Epigraphy, Historical Linguistics, History, Archaeology, Byzantine and Modern Greek Literature) and to provide them with specialized knowledge in some of these disciplines.
(d) To train students in producing research papers in which texts of Ancient Greek and Latin literature are analysed, scholarly literature is critically used, and research outcomes are presented in an appropriate manner. Students are also trained in giving presentations of their work and supporting their argumentation within a context of opinion exchange with their professors and fellow students.
(e) The aforementioned objective is inextricably connected with the promotion of autonomous thinking and the quest for original conclusions in a specific field of research. This can inspire new ideas which may lead to future doctoral research and/or to scholarly publications.

European Master in Classical Cultures

The European Master in Classical Cultures is offered to students who have been admitted to the Master’s programme of the Department of Classics and Philosophy and functions as an alternative direction that leads to the acquisition of a joint degree from two or more of the following Universities:
University of Cyprus, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Universität Hamburg, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (Germany), Université de Toulouse – Le Mirail, Toulouse (France), National and Kapodistrian University Athens (Greece), Università degli Studi di Perugia, Università degli Studi di Roma Tre, Università degli Studi di Palermo (Italy), Univerza v Ljubljani (Slovenia), Universidad de Salamanca – Valladolid (Spain), Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza, Posen (Poland), Istanbul Üniversitesi (Turkey).
The EMCC is based on the general principle of the unity of classical studies and combines the study of Classical Philology with the adjacent disciplines of Ancient History and Archaeology. Apart from these core modules the programme provides specialised knowledge in e.g. papyrology and epigraphy as well as acquaintance with the methods of classical studies. Further, it comprises a placement and a master’s thesis.
Special emphasis is given to the improvement of polyglotism and to the European dimension of the classical heritage.
Electives can be selected from the study programmes of the participating Universities.
The language of instruction is Greek (some courses are offered in English) and one of the languages of the contracted universities (French, Italian, German, Polish).
Key Learning Outcomes
The graduates of the Postgraduate Programme in Classics are expected to obtain expert knowledge (A) as well as particular skills (B).
Α. Knowledge
(a) They will master Ancient Greek and Latin.
(b) They will become acquainted with a large corpus of Ancient Greek and Latin texts from various genres and will acquire in-depth knowledge in a number of important topics in Ancient Greek and Latin Literature.
(c) They will become familiar with important figures in the history of Classics and with the various methodological debates that have shaped it. This will enable them to obtain a clear picture of the historical development of the field and to better comprehend new trends in textual interpretation and literary studies.
(d) They will master the methodological principles of high-level research in Classics, applying them to their own work.
(e) They will become acquainted with the research objects and methodologies of the other main disciplines within Classical Studies and thus be in a position to use them fruitfully to enrich their own research on philological subjects.
Β. Competencies
The following skills will be developed by students of the Programme:
(a) The ability to analyse primary sources by placing them in their historical and cultural context and by examining critically the intentions of their authors.
(b) The ability to conduct bibliographical research and to critically review scholarly literature.
(c) The ability to write research papers in which they will investigate given topics, engage in discussion of scholarly opinions and theories, and express their own views in a coherent and persuasive manner.
(d) The ability to identify problems suitable for future original research, either in the form of a thesis or as articles to appear in scholarly journals.

Occupational Profiles of Graduates with Examples
The main professional outlets for graduates of the Programme are Secondary Education schools (as teachers of Greek language and literature and history), other positions in the Public Sector (ministries, particularly the Ministry of Education, public services), working in museums and cultural organizations, etc., and finally research at the university level (for students who choose to go on to doctoral studies). Concerning the first two career options, education and the wider public sector, we note that our postgraduate degree is one of the qualifications that allow the graduates a faster promotion within the hierarchy. We also consider that the high quality education they are provided with in the course of their studies furnishes them with particular skills that can decisively contribute to their success in their chosen career. As an instance of this we mention the fact that an important percentage of the successful candidates in our field in the recent (2017) state examinations for teachers were graduates of the Programme or are otherwise connected with the Department. Research work is a further attractive option. Postgraduate studies can introduce students to the world of research, independent thought and work and the production of new ideas which can lead to original publications. Our postgraduate students are encouraged to participate in international congresses with papers (e.g., current students of the Programme have had papers accepted after peer review for postgraduate congresses in Ioannina, Greece, and Adelaide, Australia), and to work on their first publications. It must be noted that many of our graduates who chose to continue their studies at a doctoral level either in Cyprus or abroad have gone on to academic and research careers, being employed in universities and research foundations, here and abroad.