Study Classics at Siena
Enrolling on the M.A. programme in Classics at the University of Siena means having the opportunity to study the ancient world through a multidisciplinary approach, enabling you to gain a rich and nuanced understanding of the defining and distinctive aspects of ancient cultures.
Students will acquire advanced disciplinary and methodological skills, primarily through the numerous and varied classes in classical studies included in the programme: Greek and Latin Languages and Literatures; Economic and Social History of the Greek and Roman Worlds; Classical Philology; History of Ancient Philosophy; History of Ancient Religions; Greek and Latin Palaeography; Mediterranean Archaeology. A particularly important role will also be played by courses related to the Anthropology of the Ancient World, a methodological approach linked to the Inter-university Centre for ‘Anthropology and the Ancient World’ (founded in 1986 by Maurizio Bettini), which examines ancient sources with a particular focus on the study of cultural models and social organisation.
Among the other subjects included in the Classics degree, there are classes that broaden the chronological perspective of Greek and Roman antiquity, sometimes extending to earlier periods – Aegean and Cypriot Archaeology – and sometimes to late-antique or post-antique phases – Ancient and Medieval Greek Folklore; Medieval Christian Literature; Iconography and Classical Tradition. Within this disciplinary strand, Medieval and Humanistic Latin Literature and Philology play a particularly important role, linked to the ‘I-Deug-Su’ Inter-university Centre, directed by Francesco Stella since 2004.
Finally, significant emphasis is also placed on the teaching of ancient languages, which is of crucial importance for the training of the students aiming to become secondary school teachers.
It is important to know that every degree programme includes a certain number of learning activities (lectures, seminars, other activities): some are mandatory, whilst others can be chosen by the students. The combination of mandatory activities and student-chosen activities will make up your study plan.
Each learning activity is assigned a certain number of credits (CFU), which students will earn by passing exams or completing specific tasks. In order to earn the M.A., students must achieve the total number of credits required by the degree programme.
Please consult the Study plan for the coming academic year: