Classical Archaeology
|BA
|Full Time
| UCAS code: V414This programme combines a core of general archaeological training with a broad range of options in specifically Greek and Roman art and archaeology; and the opportunity also to include elements of Greek and Roman history, literature and thought. The core programme (partially taught in the Museum of London's Archaeological Archive and Research Centre) introduces students to the full scope of the contemporary discipline of archaeology, from fieldwork to museology. Extensive use is also made of the collections of the British Museum. Prior acquaintance with Greek or Latin is welcomed, but not assumed. We encourage the learning of Greek and Latin as fundamental to the study of the ancient world: we teach both from beginners' level up and require all of our students to pass at least one language module.
Why study Classical Archaeology at King's?
The main reason is the variety of specialisms covered by the staff, from the more traditional foundations of Greek pottery and sculpture to the younger disciplines of Roman landscapes and mosaics. The chronological range covers the Bronze Age to the Byzantine periods, while the geographical journey will take you from the entire Mediterranean and Near Eastern regions through to Roman Britain. Staff are dedicated to exploiting the world-class opportunities that our position in the centre of London allows access to, including the British Museum, the Museum of London and Sir John Soane's Museum.
This degree provides a rare opportunity to obtain a thorough training in archaeological skills in a Classics environment, and includes first year and second year core modules dedicated to archaeological method. If you are interested in maximizing the opportunities that our proximity to London's great cultural institutions allows, then this is the programme for you. In addition, King's students are able to choose suitable courses offered by the Institute of Archaeology at UCL and you will be fully encouraged to make the most of our up and coming trips and external summer opportunities. To see photos from previous Archaeology fieldtrips, become a fan of our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Department-of-Classics-at-Kings-College-London/187047304670735
Greek Play
Every year (since 1953), students in the Department of Classics have produced and performed a Greek play - the only production in the UK to be performed annually in the original Greek. Read more about the Greek Play (and its history) at King's: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/classics/events/greek/index.aspx
Study abroad
It is easier now than ever before to spend part of your time as a King's student studying abroad. The destinations currently favoured by Classics students are both in the US:
- The University of California
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Find out more about studying abroad: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/studyabroad
Recent graduates have found employment as
• Assistant Tax Advisor, Ernst & Young
• Human Resources Administrator, Health resources International
• Web Administrator, Intrico Products Ltd
• Illustrator, Self Employed Illustrator
• Marketing and Publishing Graduate scheme, the telegraph Media group
• Research Intern, Environment Agency
• Sales Operations Admin, Associated Press tV news
• Latin Teacher, a university
• Client Relations Associate, Fidelity Investment Managers
• Customer Management Executive, CMC Markets
• Senior Course Support Assistant, Coventry University
The precise degree structure is currently being reviewed in order to provide more choice, especially for second-year students and those taking joint degrees. However, in the first year the language acquisition modules will remain obligatory along with introductory modules tailored to support each degree programme. Assessment is by a combination of coursework and end-of-year examinations.
The major London galleries – the National Gallery, the Wallace Collection, the Victoria & Albert Museum (again), the Courtauld Gallery and Tate Britain – are full of classically-themed work, just as central London is full of Neoclassical, Greek revival and other classically-inspired buildings.
On the library front, normal student needs are served by the University of London (Senate House) Library, as well as the King's Maughan Library and Information Services Centre; while for the investigation of special topics, there are the world-class research collections of the Institute of Classical Studies and the Warburg Institute. Classical and classically-inspired drama can be experienced first-hand more richly and more frequently in London theatres than anywhere else in the world. We are also ideally located for easy access to the European continent, enabling our students to travel and participate in excavations.
