Course details

Summary

An understanding of the rich Classical past gives students a keen lens through which to view the modern world. Many issues confronting us now were experienced in the ancient Mediterranean and discussed with great insight by people of the time: questions of cultural identity; abuses of political power and the rise of demagogues; the nature-nurture debate; the plight of refugees and asylum seekers; the problematic nature of empire and colonialism, among others.

The very words by which we know such important concepts as democracy, philosophy, theatre, rhetoric, and psychology are Greek in origin, indicating that they are ancient Greek inventions. Likewise, the cultural legacy of Rome is far-reaching, especially in architecture, administration and law-making, in addition to its literature and art.

Study of pre-industrial cultures such as ancient Greece and Rome affords many insights into the lives and experiences of indigenous peoples today. While differences persist, important parallels in myths, attitudes to warfare and social structures can also be recognised between ancient and some contemporary indigenous cultures.

The Certificate in Arts (CertArts) is designed for you if you want to study at university level without having to commit to several years of study. It is also an option if you want to take a few courses for interest or study part-time.

UC Classics teaches courses on:

• the drama, poetry and philosophy of writers like Homer, Euripides, Vergil and Plato (in both the original languages and translation)
• the artistic and architectural achievements of the Greeks and Romans including masterpieces such as the Parthenon and Colosseum
• the world of politics, warfare and government of leaders like Pericles, Julius Caesar and the Roman emperors
• Ancient Greek and Latin languages
• ancient sport, slavery, sex and gender, daily life, ancient views of art.

Recommended preparation

Classical studies at school is an excellent preparation for Classics at UC, however this is not a required background for study at first-year level.

Students with previous experience of studying Greek or Latin may be able to proceed directly to 200-level courses.

Qualification structure and duration

The Certificate in Arts is made up of five courses (a minimum of 75 points) at 100 and/or 200-level.

It can be completed full-time, or over one to two years of part-time study.

You can transfer the credits you gain during the Certificate in Arts to the Bachelor of Arts (and some other degrees), as long as you have not graduated with the certificate.

Further study

The Certificate in Arts can be used as a stepping stone to a Bachelor of Arts.

Career opportunities

Classics students can conduct internships as part of their studies, for example on material from the Logie collection, enhancing research skills and developing skills central to areas in museums, curatorship studies, and arts management.

The successful study of Classics cultivates highly desirable skills employers want in the twenty-first century: critical and rigorous thinking, evaluating evidence, constructing arguments, reasoning, analysis, and a well-formed awareness of others’ viewpoints and cultural identity.

Many students who have majored in Classics have gone into teaching and academic careers, while others have branched off into other professions such as art conservation, museum curatorship, music, law, administration, public policy, library science and business. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Internal Affairs and Treasury are always on the lookout for good graduates in Classics.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Certificate in Arts. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.