CLASS-PHD - Classics (PhD)
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Program Overview
The study of Classics has traditionally centered on the literature and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, including Greek and Latin language, literature, philosophy, history, art, and archaeology. At Stanford, Classics also explores connections with other ancient cultures and the modern world, as well as specialized fields such as ancient economics, law, and science. The department’s faculty approaches Classics from an interdisciplinary perspective that crosses geographical, temporal, and thematic territories. Studying ancient epic poetry can lead to looking at modern cinema afresh; ancient Athenian politics opens new perspectives on contemporary politics; and the study of Rome presents parallels with other empires just as Latin illuminates the history of English and the Romance languages. In short, Classics at Stanford is an interdisciplinary subject concerned not only with the Greeks and Romans but also with the interaction of cultures and societies that influenced the ancient Mediterranean basin and continue to influence human society across the globe.
This program is full time: doctoral students in the Classics PhD program are expected to maintain a significant physical presence on campus throughout their graduate studies, unless exceptions are granted by the department (for example, for field work). This ensures that students have access to advisors and mentors, libraries, and other resources that support timely progress towards completion of degree requirements. Additionally, being on campus ensures that students are part of the academic and campus community which supports continued professional development.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
There are three sub-plans within the Classics PhD program: language and literature, classical archaeology, and ancient history. The requirements of these subplans are detailed later in this Bulletin. These subplans appear on the transcript and the diploma.
Maintain satisfactory progress throughout the degree program. The Classics department sets a higher standard for satisfactory progress than the university minimum requirements. To maintain that standard, students are expected to:
Enroll in all four academic quarters as instructed by the Classics Department
Pass all required exams by the required deadlines.
Write a minimum of three seminar papers per year in the first two years (for a total of 6 seminar papers).
Demonstrate high-quality research and writing
Take no more than one incomplete grade at a time (unless given special permission by the Director of Graduate Studies)
Demonstrate effective teaching
Confirm dissertation proposal advisor by the end of Spring Quarter of the second year
During the dissertation proposal writing process, students must meet with the advisor on a mutually agreed-upon schedule (at least once a month) and submit drafts in a timely manner based on an agreed upon schedule.
During the dissertation writing process, the student should communicate with their advisor according to agreed-upon protocols and schedule and to check in on a regular basis. Students are expected to meet with their advisor at least once a quarter throughout the process of researching and writing the dissertation. The student must submit drafts to their advisor according to an agreed upon schedule Once a year—preferably in spring quarter—the student must meet with the entire Reading Committee to make sure everyone is apprised of research progress and any problems.
Students who fail to maintain satisfactory progress may be subject to dismissal from the program.
Enrollment:
In Year 1, all students are required to enroll in 15-18 units autumn, winter, and spring quarters and one unit in summer quarter.
In Years 2 and 3, all students are required to enroll in 15-18 units in the quarter they are not teaching, and in 1 unit in summer quarter. During the quarters they are teaching, they must enroll in 10 units.
In Year 4, students are required to enroll in 10 units per quarter until they complete 135 units and reach TGR status.
Once students reach TGR status, they must enroll in CLASSICS802 until completion of the degree.
Examinations and other requirements:
Diagnostic Exams: By the end of the first week of their first quarter, students must take diagnostic exams in Greek and Latin. Depending on performance, students may be required to enroll in undergraduate language classes in one or both of these languages to improve their skills to the level required for graduate work.
Modern Language Requirement: During their first two years, students, in consultation with the course instructor, are required to identify one departmental seminar in which they will produce a critical bibliographical survey of relevant foreign-language scholarship, analyzing no fewer than 15 items in three languages other than English. No fewer than four items shall be chosen in each of the three languages, and at least one full-length book shall be chosen in each of two of the languages. For each title on the full list, students will:
a) explain how it was accessed
b) identify its argument
c) locate it within larger debates on the topic; and
d) offer independent critical observations
They must then incorporate the results into their paper assignment for that seminar, demonstrating in a measurable way their ability to identify and make proper use of such scholarship. This assignment will be considered a key component of the course and given a separate mark (which in turn will contribute to the overall seminar grade). A student’s satisfaction of the requirement will be recorded by the course instructor, with simultaneous written notification of the DGS,the student’s track advisor, and the department Student Services Manager. The seminar in question must be taken no later than the spring quarter of the second year; this is a prerequisite for advancing to candidacy. The assignment itself must be completed no later than the end of the fall quarter of the third year. In the event of an unsatisfactory outcome, students may repeat the assignment in a different seminar but are required to meet the aforementioned deadline for successful completion.
General Exams: Students must take general examinations in four of the following fields: Greek literature, Latin literature, Greek history, Roman history, Greek archaeology, and Roman archaeology. Students must take both exams that correspond to their tracks (e.g., Greek and Latin literature for the language and literature track) and may freely select the other two. At least one general exam must be taken by the first week of the studentʼs second year (generally late summer or early autumn quarter). The remaining exams must be taken by the first week of the studentʼs third year . Moving the timing of any of the exams or increasing the number of exams requires prior consultation and approval by the Director of Graduate Studies. The Director must approve all exam choices of Graduate Studies in the spring quarter before the examination. To prepare for the exams, students are encouraged to take at least one course in each of their chosen exam fields and consult with the faculty examiner in a timely manner. Reading lists for each exam are posted on the departmental website.
Dissertation Proposal (Prospectus):
During the third year, the candidate, in consultation with the dissertation proposal advisor (usually the same as the dissertation advisor), writes a dissertation proposal, which is evaluated by a committee of faculty (dissertation proposal committee). The dissertation proposal defense should be scheduled either for the end of spring quarter of the third year or for the beginning of the autumn quarter of the fourth year; it must take place no later than the end of autumn quarter of the fourth year. If the proposal does not pass, the defense is repeated in the following quarter and must be passed. Failure to pass on the second attempt results in the student’s dismissal from the program.
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CLASSICS297 must be taken twice, usually in autumn and spring quarters if CLASSICS304 is offered in winter quarter.
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- 2166901
- 1128631
Upon completion of 135 units and all degree requirements except for dissertation defense and submission, students must enroll in CLASSICS802 quarterly.
Teaching is core to the academic and professional training of doctoral students in the Classics department. All PhD students are required to complete four quarters of academic-year teaching experience by the end of their third year, regardless of their financial support. Typically, students complete more than the required number of teaching quarters as part of their professional training and financial support.
Admission to candidacy is a prospective judgement by the faculty of a student’s potential to successfully complete the requirements of the degree program. Students are expected to complete qualifying procedures, apply for candidacy by the end of their second year in the program, and be approved to advance to candidacy by the end of summer quarter of their second year. No student will be allowed to proceed to candidacy if carrying more than one incomplete.
The University Oral Examination is the defense of the candidate’s dissertation. To take this exam, a pre-final draft of the entire dissertation must be completed and approved by the dissertation advisor(s), the exam committee must have been established and approved by the department chair, and a date and time must have been arranged with the department. The exam consists of a public presentation with a question and answer period, followed by a private examination between the student and the exam committee. A draft of the dissertation must be provided to each committee member 30 days prior to the defense.
Upon passing the defense of the candidate’s dissertation, students must submit their completed and approved dissertation and apply to graduate as per university Dissertation Submission guidelines.
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CLASSICS 219 should be taken in the first year, but could be taken in the second year. The DGS may approve a substitution only if this course is not offered during the first two years.
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Complete five skills courses, three of which must be taken in other departments. Skills courses are any courses that help students acquire and develop specific skills that are relevant to their research interests and dissertation projects. If one or two skills courses on epigraphy, papyrology or numismatics are offered in the Classics department, students are required to take them. All skills courses require written adviser consent and notification to the Student Services Manager.
Complete six graduate seminars in the Classics department. Three graduate seminars must be in ancient history and one graduate seminar in classical archaeology. Courses outside of the Classics department can count towards this requirement with written advisor consent and notification to the Student Services Manager.
Ancient History Track students must take courses in both Latin and Greek, but can choose to focus more on one ancient language or emphasize broader linguistic skills by selecting a Single Language Emphasis (Option 1) or a Dual Language Emphasis (Option 2) as described below. Students must inform the Student Services Manager in writing of which option they plan to pursue no later than the third week of spring quarter during their first year.
Students focus more on one ancient language by taking 15 units of the core series (CLASSICS 201L/202L/203L or CLASSICS 201G/202G/203G) and five units of the alternate series, plus the Prose Composition or Syntax course/s in the primary ancient language selected
Sub-topics may vary from year to year, but students will receive credit for the above courses regardless of the specific sub-topic covered.
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- 1128161
- 1128171
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OR 2227491 - 2004191
OR 2004201
OR 2004221
Sub-topics may vary from year to year, but students will receive credit for the courses listed below regardless of the specific sub-topic covered.
- 2004191
- 2004201
- 2004221
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OR 2275521 - 1128151
OR 1128161
OR 1128171
Classical Archaeology and Ancient History subplans may elect one or more Special Topics courses (CLASSICS 200G and CLASSICS 200L) instead of a quarter or quarters of the same language Core. Taking Special Topics courses requires pre-approval from the director of graduate studies. Language and Literature subplans cannot substitute Special Topics for Core. Special Topics courses do not count for seminar credit. Special Topics courses are repeatable for credit.
Students emphasize broader linguistic skills. This requires students to take both ancient language series.
Sub-topics may vary from year to year, but students will receive credit for the courses listed below regardless of the specific sub-topic covered.
- 2004191
- 2004201
- 2004221
- 1128151
- 1128161
- 1128171
Classical Archaeology and Ancient History subplans may elect one or more Special Topics courses (CLASSICS 200G and CLASSICS 200L) instead of a quarter or quarters of the same language Core. Special Topics courses do not count for seminar credit. These courses are repeatable for credit.
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*Or an alternative course on the history of the disciplines of Classical Archaeology or Classics.
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Two skills-based courses (generally outside of the department). Skills courses are any courses that help students acquire and develop specific skills that are relevant to their research interests and dissertation projects.
At least two graduate-level language courses in Greek or Latin (normally Core, but students may take Special Topics courses* instead or work with faculty to arrange alternative graduate-level courses including directed readings; these options require track advisor written consent) in combination with a translation exam as described below. Students who take three Core classes to fulfill their ancient language requirements, are note required to take a separate language exam. Students are encouraged to choose the second option (i.e., a full Core sequence) if feasible.
*Classical Archaeology and Ancient History subplans may elect one or more Special Topics courses (CLASSICS 200G and CLASSICS 200L) instead of a quarter or quarters of the same language Core. Special Topics courses do not count for seminar credit. These courses are repeatable for credit.
Latin and Ancient Greek Language Translation Exams: These exams are based on reading lists posted on the website and have the following format: a choice of translating into English four out of six passages in a 3-hour period. The Latin translation exam is offered at the end of the Latin Core sequence (offered every other year) and the Ancient Greek translation exam is offered at the end of the Greek Core sequence (offered in alternating years to the Latin). Students on the Language and Literature track must take these translation exams in both Latin and Ancient Greek. Classical Archaeologists have two options.
They take two graduate-level ancient language courses (both in the same language, i.e. Greek or Latin) and a separate translation exam in the same language, based on a shorter reading list developed in consultation with the examining faculty member.
Alternatively, if they take three quarters of a given Core sequence, a separate language exam is not required.
A student who does not attain a B- or better, in a translation exam must retake the exam before the first day of Autumn Quarter of the same calendar year. If a student receives a failing grade a second time, they may submit a petition to the DGS to request taking the exam a third time. A third failure to attain a B- or better will result in dismissal from the program.
Sub-topics may vary from year to year, but students will receive credit for the above courses regardless of the specific sub-topic covered.
- 1128151
- 1128161
- 1128171
- 2004191
- 2004201
- 2004221
Three language courses from the options below, including at least one from each language.
Sub-topics may vary from year to year, but students will receive credit for the courses listed below regardless of the specific sub-topic covered.
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- 1125312
- 2227491
- 2275521
- 2193391
Nine graduate level seminars. These must be taken in the Classics department. Relevant non-Classics courses may on occasion count towards this requirement with written pre-approval from the Director of Graduate Studies and notification to the Student Services Manager.
No more than two of these seminars may be replaced by directed readings
Two dissertation prospectus tutorials (CLASSICS 297) can count as one of the nine seminars. A total of up to 3 of the 9 seminars may therefore be replaced by directed readings and dissertation prospectus tutorials.
Students on the Language and Literature track must take these translation exams in both Latin and Ancient Greek.
These exams are based on reading lists posted on the website and have the following format: a choice of translating into English four out of six passages in a 3-hour period. The Latin translation exam is offered at the end of the Latin Core sequence (offered every other year) and the Ancient Greek translation exam is offered at the end of the Greek Core sequence (offered in alternating years to the Latin). A student who does not attain a B- or better, in a translation exam must retake the exam before the first day of Autumn Quarter of the same calendar year. If a student receives a failing grade a second time, they may submit a petition to the DGS to request taking the exam a third time. A third failure to attain a B- or better will result in dismissal from the program. Ancient Historians are required to take the final exam offered at the end of each Core segment or Special Topics class, and do not have to take a separate translation exam.
There may be additions from time to time to the list of courses approved for the Language-Intensive requirement. Special Topics courses (CLASSICS 200G and CLASSICS 200L) do not count for seminar credit or language-intensive course credit. They do not fulfill any degree requirements for Language and Literature track students.