The Department of Classics offers two tracks leading to the PhD degree:
- Ph.D. in Latin and Roman Studies
- Ph.D. in Classical Civilization
1. Ph.D. in Latin and Roman Studies
This program is designed for high school teachers and community college teachers who wish to improve their skills, prepare for serious research, and improve their credentials with a special emphasis in Latin literature and Roman history.
Coursework
Ninety credit hours beyond the bachelor degree, including:
- Latin prose composition (3 hours)
- 6 seminars in Classical Civilization or Latin (i.e., 18 credits of coursework in classes other than independent or direct study)
- Participation in at least three Summer Latin Institutes [including an SLI research paper for each]
Additional credit hours may be earned through additional seminars and elective coursework, independent study projects (including those leading to examinations), advanced research (LNW 7979), and dissertation research (LNW 7980).
Application for credit for previous graduate coursework in other departments or at other institutions must be submitted before the beginning of the third semester of doctoral study. No more than 30 credits of a master’s degree from another institution may be transferred to a doctoral program.
Examinations and Dissertation
- Written examinations (as specified below)
- Prospectus defense [also counts as preliminary oral examination]
- Dissertation
- Final examination and public defense of the dissertation
Written Examinations in Latin and Roman Studies
(i) Comprehensive Latin reading examination (based on PhD reading list; scroll down Reading Lists page). A three-hour examination in Latin. The examination will present the student with six passages (three in prose, three in poetry) selected from the reading list. The student will translate four of the six passages. Any student who fails to pass this exam on the third attempt is subject to dismissal from the program.
(ii) Comprehensive examination on the history of Latin literature in its historical context. A two-hour examination on all aspects of the development and history of Latin literature. The student will write essays on literary topics, placing authors, works, or genres in their historical contexts, and explain the historical and social significance of their writings. Any student who fails to pass this exam on the third attempt is subject to dismissal from the program. Gian Biagio Conte’s History of Latin Literature is the primary reference book for this exam.
(iii) Special topic. A two-hour examination or a 15-25 page paper on the work of an author or on a literary or historical topic studied in depth under the direction of a Classics faculty member. Any student who fails to pass this exam on the third attempt is subject to dismissal from the program.
(iv-v) Modern Language Proficiency. Students are required to demonstrate reading proficiency in German, plus one of the two of the following languages: French, Italian. This requirement may be satisfied either by approved coursework or reading examination.
N.B.: These exams may be taken at UF or at a remote location, under the supervision of an approved proctor. Ideally, students will complete them by the summer of their fourth year, but we understand and expect that the exact scheduling of these exams will vary, depending on each student’s goals.
Candidacy
A student who has completed all coursework requirements and passed all written exams must successfully present a dissertation prospectus before a supervisory committee, consisting of a chair and three other members, one of whom must be in a field outside of Classics. In accordance with university regulation, the student is required to be on campus for the prospectus defense.
Dissertation and Final Examination
Each doctoral candidate must prepare and present a completed dissertation that shows independent investigation and that is acceptable in form and content to the supervisory committee and to the Graduate School. The work must be of publishable quality and must be in a form suitable for publication, using the Graduate School’s format requirements. The dissertation defense [which counts as the final examination] takes place in a forum open to the public, after the dissertation has been submitted to the supervisory committee, and should be announced at least two weeks prior to its scheduled date. In accordance with university regulation, the student is required to be on campus for the dissertation defense.
2. Ph.D. in Classical Civilization
This program is designed for high school teachers and community college teachers who wish to improve their skills, prepare for serious research, and improve their credentials with a more general emphasis in classical civilization.
Coursework
Ninety credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, including:
- Latin prose composition (3 hours)
- 6 seminars in Classical Civilization or Latin (i.e., 18 credits of coursework in classes other than independent or direct study)
- Participation in at least three Summer Latin Institutes
Additional credit hours may be earned through additional seminars and elective coursework, independent study projects (including those leading to examinations), advanced research (LNW 7979), and dissertation research (LNW 7980).
Application for credit for previous graduate coursework in other departments or at other institutions must be submitted before the beginning of the third semester of doctoral study. No more than 30 credits of a master’s degree from another institution may be transferred to a doctoral program.
Examinations and Dissertation
- Written examinations (as specified below)
- Comprehensive preliminary oral examination and prospectus defense
- Dissertation
- Final examination and public defense of the dissertation
Written Examinations in Classical Civilization
(i) Comprehensive examination on Latin reading and the history of Latin literature. Comprehensive examination on Latin reading and the history of Latin literature. A four-hour examination, including translation of three out of four passages (two prose, two poetry), selected from the PhD reading list [scroll down Reading Lists page]. (These passages will be shorter than the ones on the Latin and Roman Studies Latin reading examination.) The examination will also include questions on all aspects of the development and history of Latin literature. Students should be able to identify, date, and describe the work of all major authors from Plautus to Augustine. Factual knowledge will be tested through identification questions and short answer. Longer essays on literary issues or topics requiring the student to place authors, works, or genres in historical context will also be included. Gian Biagio Conte’s History of Latin Literature is the primary reference book for the essay portion of the exam. Any student who fails to pass this exam on the third attempt is subject to dismissal from the program.
(ii) Special topic 1. A two-hour examination or a 15-25 page paper on the work of an author or on a literary or historical topic studied in depth under the direction of a Classics faculty member. Any student who fails to pass this exam on the third attempt is subject to dismissal from the program.
(iii) Special topic 2. A two-hour examination or a 15-25 page paper on the work of an author or on a literary or historical topic studied in depth under the direction of a Classics faculty member. Any student who fails to pass this exam on the third attempt is subject to dismissal from the program.
(iv-v) Modern language proficiency requirement. Students are required to demonstrate reading proficiency in German, plus one of the following languages: French, Italian. This requirement may be satisified either by approved coursework or reading examination.N.B.: These exams may be taken at UF or at a remote location, under the supervision of an approved proctor. Ideally, students will complete them by the summer of their fourth year, but we understand and expect that the exact scheduling of these exams will vary, depending on each student’s goals.
Candidacy
A student who has completed all coursework requirements and passed all written exams must successfully present a dissertation prospectus and pass a preliminary oral examination conducted by a supervisory committee, consisting of a chair and three other members, one of whom must be in a field outside of Classics. In accordance with university regulation, the student is required to be on campus for the preliminary oral exam.
Dissertation and Final Examination
Each doctoral candidate must prepare and present a completed dissertation that shows independent investigation and that is acceptable in form and content to the supervisory committee and to the Graduate School. The work must be of publishable quality and must be in a form suitable for publication, using the Graduate School’s format requirements. The final examination takes place in a forum open to the public, after the dissertation has been submitted to the supervisory committee, and should be announced at least two weeks prior to its scheduled date. In accordance with university regulation, the student is required to be on campus for the final exam.