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Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy Program in ClassicsPrinter Friendly Printer Friendly

Program of Study: 72 points (including the 32 required for the M.A.) of course work, of which 36 points must be completed in residence. The following courses (or equivalent substitutes) must be passed: Greek and Latin prose composition, both the Latin and Greek surveys, and one course from each of the following areas: (1) a graduate course in Greek or Roman history and (2) Proseminar in Classical Archaeology (G27.1002) or another course in archaeology or ancient art history.

Qualifying Examinations and Papers: In addition to course work, students must successfully complete a series of qualifying examinations and papers.

  1. Translation examinations in German and either French or Italian.
    These examinations, for which the student may use a dictionary, may be taken as often as necessary. One language must be passed at the end of the first year, and the other at the end of the second year.
  2. Special papers
    This requirement of the graduate program is designed to give the Ph.D. student training in the research methods necessary for the dissertation. Each student submits two research papers of professional quality, one on a Greek topic and one on a Roman topic. Each paper is reviewed by the student’s adviser and at least one other member of the faculty. The papers may be revisions of seminar term papers and may lead to the dissertation. Under normal circumstances, neither paper should exceed 20 pages. This requirement should be met before the student takes the required Greek and Latin translation and literature examinations (items 3 and 4 below).
  3. Greek and Latin translation examinations
    These examinations, which are based on Reading List I for Greek and Latin, consist of two passages of prose and two of poetry. Ph.D. students should take these examinations at the end of the fifth semester.
  4. Greek and Latin literature examination
    This examination is based on Reading Lists I and II for Greek and Latin and assumes a general knowledge of Greek and Latin literary history. The examination is in two parts. The first consists of brief identification and comment on three out of six passages in Greek and three out of six in Latin; both prose and poetry must be chosen in each language. This written part of the examination is then followed by an oral session. The literature examination should be taken at the end of the fifth semester.

Note: In exceptional cases, the department may permit a delay of one term in taking the Greek and Latin translation and literature examinations. Each examination may be repeated once in case of failure. For reading lists and a description of the examinations, see http://classics.as.nyu.edu.

Dissertation Proposal: The student must submit a dissertation proposal to a committee consisting of the adviser and at least two other members of the faculty. After review, the adviser circulates the proposal to the departmental faculty as a whole. An oral presentation is scheduled by the adviser before the committee and any interested member of the graduate faculty. The proposal should be approved by the committee in consultation with the graduate faculty by the end of the semester following the completion of the qualifying examinations.

Dissertation: The required dissertation must demonstrate a sound methodology and evidence of exhaustive study of a special field and make an original contribution to that field. When the dissertation is completed and approved by the readers, an oral defense is scheduled before a committee of at least five faculty members, including two of the dissertation readers. A successful defense requires the approval of four of the five members of the committee.

Inter-University Doctoral Consortium: Students enrolled in the doctoral program who are in good standing and have reached the second year of study are eligible to register for courses offered at Columbia University; CUNY Graduate Center; Fordham University; The New School; Princeton University; Rutgers University; Stony Brook University; and Teacher’s College, Columbia University. (See the Admission section of this bulletin for details.)

Interdepartmental Curricula: Prospective candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy with a major in classics and a specialization in classical archaeology or ancient art history are referred to the appropriate adviser at the Institute of Fine Arts for the specialization requirements. Prospective candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in classical art and archaeology with a specialization in classics should consult the adviser in classics for the specialization requirements.

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