PhD in Classical Archaeology

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Course requirements, language proficiency, and length of program for the PhD in Classical Archaeology depends to some extent on the student's previous training and the student's anticipated needs for the chosen area of specialization. Four to six years are normally required to complete the program.

The minimum period of residence is two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.

Course work can normally be completed in one year, but for students requiring additional language preparation may extend it into a second year.

Entrance Requirements

In addition to general Departmental requirements, students must have an MA in Classics or the equivalent.

Program Requirements

Courses:

★19 graduate level courses including:

Minimum of «9 from the Department of History and Classics at the 500 or 600-level including at least «6 from 500-level GREEK or LATIN (as appropriate to the field of study)

CLASS 501 (★1)

Comprehensive examinations

Students must pass three written comprehensive examinations: one on the major ancient literary and archaeological sources relevant to the study of Classical or Hellenistic Greek art, monuments and topography; one on the major ancient literary and archaeological sources relevant to the study of Roman Republican or Imperial art, monuments and topography; and one relevant to the general principles and practice of archaeological research. After the written examinations have been taken, there is an oral examination that covers all fields.

It is recommended that students complete all comprehensive examinations by the middle of their third year.

Candidacy examination

An oral examination on the student's thesis proposal is designed to assess whether the student has (1) an adequate knowledge of the discipline and of the subject matter relevant to the thesis, and (2) the ability to pursue and complete original research at an advanced level.

It is recommended that students take the oral candidacy examination by the end of their third year.

Thesis

Registration in 900-level THES. The final oral examination will be on the student's thesis, the text of which should normally be 200-300 pages in length.

Ethics Requirement

Students must complete INT D 710 and INT D 720, self-paced online courses, by the end of their first semester in the program.

Professional Development Requirement

Students fulfill four hours of the FGSR Professional Development Requirement through HIST 602 if it is taken as part of their doctoral program. See the FGSR website for more information. 

Modern Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate competence in two modern languages other than English and relevant to their field of study according to the procedures specified in the Departmental Language Requirement.