CLASS-MA - Classics (MA)

The study of Classics has traditionally centered on the literature and material 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 with the modern world, as well as specialized fields such as ancient economics, law, papyrology, 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 modern 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 Greek and Roman civilization but also with the interaction of cultures and societies that influenced the ancient Mediterranean basin and continue to influence human society across the globe.

Students pursuing an M.B.A., M.D., master’s, or joint degree program are not permitted to transfer units.  

The Department of Classics is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement by both the adviser and the advisee.

The goal of advising in the graduate program is to help students in selecting courses that best suit their intellectual goals, in designing and conducting research, navigating degree requirements, exploring academic and professional opportunities, and preparing for their post-graduate careers.

Graduate students are expected to be active collaborators in the advising relationship. They are responsible for seeking academic and professional guidance and for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for the M.A. program. 

An important part of the advisee-advisor relationship is for students to discuss their own expectations for the adviser-advisee relationship with the adviser and revisiting these expectations periodically. 

Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)

A Department faculty member serves as the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS). The DGS monitors the degree progress of all M.A. and Ph.D. students, offers advice on meeting Department and University requirements, coordinates Departmental advising and TA assignments, and approves petitions for funding or other needs before submission to the Graduate Committee (see below).

Track Adviser

M.A. students are admitted to one of four tracks within the Classics Department, each with its own requirements (Archaeology, History, Literature, and Philosophy). Each track also has an individual adviser in the pre-dissertation stage, who advises on track-specific coursework and training in research methodologies, and professional development. Entering students should meet routinely (at least once per quarter) with both the DGS and with the track adviser, who approve a course of study, monitor progress, and provide advice about funding opportunities, strategies for scheduling general and other exams required for degree progress, and to provide support in the event that difficulties arise.

Student Services Officer (SSO)

In addition, the Department’s Student Services Officer serves as the student's primary contact regarding Department and University procedures and can provide information, assistance, and the appropriate forms and procedures for academic and financial matters.

Academic progress and student completion of program requirements and milestones are monitored by the SSO, which is reviewed as necessary by the DGS and are discussed by faculty at an annual meeting devoted to assessing graduate student progress. Students who have made satisfactory academic progress are normally advanced to candidacy at the end of their second year in residency by faculty vote at this annual review meeting.

Graduate Studies Committee

The DGS, the track advisers (the DGS typically serves as track adviser for their track), and the SSO constitute the Graduate Studies Committee. All requests for funding that fall outside of allowed discretionary spending, extraordinary travel away from campus, petitions for leave of absence, and any disciplinary issues that may arise must be reviewed and, as necessary, approved by the Graduate Studies Committee. 

Expectations 

M.A. students are expected to meet regularly with their advisers and to keep them informed about their academic progress. To facilitate this, each student must meet with the DGS and the Track Adviser at the beginning of Autumn Quarter and again in Winter Quarter and in early in Spring Quarter during their first two years in the program. DGS and Track Advisers are available at the beginning of each quarter for these meetings.

Additional Resources

A detailed description of the program's requirements, milestones, and advising expectations are listed in the Classics Ph.D. Handbook found on the program website. Additionally, the program adheres to the advising guidelines and responsibilities listed by the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education (VPGE) and in the Graduate Academic Policies (GAP).

For a statement of University policy on graduate advising, see the "Graduate Advising" section of this bulletin.

The purpose of the master's program is to further develop knowledge and skills in Classics and to prepare students for a professional career or doctoral studies. This is achieved through completion of courses, in the primary field as well as related areas, and experience with independent work and specialization.