Degree programme Classical Studies (Master)
Video On the degree programme Classical Studies
Kevin is pursuing Classical Studies and offers an insight into his studies.
General information on the programme
When and where was democracy invented? Why did the European world become Christian in a relatively short time and to what extent did this contribute to a 'unique European way'? Why did already the beginning of ancient literature with Homer become one of the highlights of world literature? Why was the circumference of the earth calculated quite precisely in the 3rd century B.C., but later again did people believe that the earth was a disk? Why did ancient art become such a model for so long? Why did the Roman Empire last that long, and why did its subjects identify with it instead of rejecting it as foreign rule? These and many other interesting questions are explored in the interdisciplinary Master's programme 'Classical Studies'.
Graduates of the Master's programme stand out on the one hand due to their detailed and extensive knowledge of ancient cultures. Most importantly, however, they have acquired the methodical and analytical tools to understand scattered and incomplete information, as it is typical for antiquity, to draw logically sound conclusions from it, and to develop plausible reconstructions and concepts. To this end, the programme addresses questions of philology, history and history of religion.
Contents
The Master's programme Classical Studies imparts in-depth historical, philological, exegetical and religious-historical knowledge for the understanding of the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean region.
The course is interdisciplinary and under the joint responsibility of the subjects involved (Ancient History; Biblical Theology; Classical Philology).
Since students have differing previous knowledge in these three areas, two introductory modules serve to harmonise their different skills. The language module serves to acquire basic and special philological knowledge and skills (Latin, Greek, Hebrew). The module Fundamentals of Classical Studies imparts basic knowledge in those subjects which have not already been studied in the Bachelor's programme. The module Sources and Types of Sources provides an overview of the various literary and material sources from which we derive our knowledge of antiquity.
The three specialisation modules Identity and Difference, Cult and Culture, as well as Tradition and Innovation examine in interdisciplinary cooperation the questions that are decisive for understanding the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean world.
A Classical Studies colloquium gives an introduction to current research discussions and inspires students to write an interdisciplinary Master's thesis.
Professional fields
The methodological and hermeneutic competences together with the interdisciplinary expertise qualify for activities in the following professional fields: cultural management; work in cultural organisations and companies as well as in institutions with a cultural policy orientation (e.g. museums; journalism; publishing); travel guide for cultural excursions and study trips.
Prerequisites
- Certificate of general qualification for university entrance, a relevant subject-related higher education entrance qualification, or a certificate recognised as equivalent
- Language skills in English, and in Latin or Greek
- Familiarity with the skills needed to work in Classical Studies (At TU Dresden, these skills are acquired in the Bachelor's programmes in History, Catholic and Protestant Theology, Latin Studies and Greek Studies.)
- At the time of application for the Master's programme Classical Studies, all modules of your Bachelor's programme (with the exception of the Bachelor's thesis) must have been successfully completed.
Start and duration of studies
At TU Dresden, you can start the degree programme Cultural Studies in every winter semester. It comprises four semesters and consists of attendance at the courses, independent study, and the Master's examination.
Credits
ECTS credits document the average workload as well as the individual study progress. One credit corresponds to a workload of 30 hours, with an average of 30 credits per semester. In the individual modules of the degree programme Classical Studies, a total of 120 credits can be earned