Classical Studies PhD

Program Code: G-CLST-PHD
Degree Designation: Doctor of Philosophy
Department: Classical Studies Department
Website: classicalstudies.duke.edu/graduate

Program Summary

The Department of Classical Studies offers graduate work leading to the PhD in Classical studies.

Work in the department encompasses all aspects of the Greco-Roman world: students in the program are able, through coursework, directed research, and their own teaching, to prepare for careers of teaching and research as broadly trained classical scholars. For regular admission, students should offer at least three years of college study in one of the classical languages and two in the other. Before developing a specialization within the program, students are expected to acquire facility in both Greek and Latin, a broad knowledge of the literatures and of ancient history and archaeology, and command of research methods. Reading knowledge of German and French (or other, as research warrants) is required for the PhD.

The resources of the department include important collections of Greek and Latin manuscripts and papyri, and a study collection of Greek and Roman art.

Academic Requirements

 Courses, typically 18 over the course of five semesters

• Qualifying Examinations

  • Proficiency Examinations in Greek and Latin, or in Archaeology and either Greek or Latin

  • Reading proficiency assessments in German and French (or other)

• Preliminary Examination comprising:

  • General examinations designed to test breadth of knowledge of classical antiquity

  • Specialized research in two particular scholarly or content domains. The Dissertation Special helps define dissertation plans; the Open Special helps develop depth in a second, preferably unrelated, area.

• Dissertation & Dissertation Defense