About Us
The Department of Classics was established in 1948. It was one of the first three Departments in the Faculty of Arts to secure recognition for Honours Degree courses under the scheme of Special Relationship with the University of London.
What You Didn't Know
Worthy of note is the fact that Classics graduates of earlier and more contemporary times have rendered and continue to render splendid service in a wide variety of occupations.
Welcome To The Department
Classics is an interesting, exciting, and thought-provoking discipline since the history of the past it offers forms an integral part of the present and the future. Therefore, I encourage you to take advantage of all that the department has in its antique storehouse to realise a unique experience in humanities studies. Kindly contact the department, should you need any further clarification on other areas that are not clear to you.
Prof. Olakunbi O. Olasope
Head of Department.
More About Us
Who We Are
"It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows."
The programme in Classics is established to explore Classical Antiquity as well as the interface between the ancient period and contemporary times, with the aim of producing humane graduates of the humanities who are able to perceive, interpret and link fundamental phenomena of the Greco-Roman world, the root of the modern civilization, with current global developments.
The Department of Classics was established in 1948. It was one of the first three Departments in the Faculty of Arts to offer Honours Degree courses – in affiliation to University of London. The Department has seasoned lecturers who are dynamic and cerebral researchers in different areas of the discipline, and passionate about demonstrating their commitment to qualitative research, teaching and learning. Our mission is to help our students realise and develop their potentials, pursue and achieve their aspirations so as to become accomplished global citizens who comprehend civilisations as well as civility.
The academic resoluteness of the Department is evidenced by the various positions the staff have continued to hold as visiting scholars and lecturers/professors in renowned universities in Europe, America, UK, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana and other prestigious institutions across the globe. The department offers constant systematic personal support to students, which guarantees educational advancement, assessment of scholastic progress of the students. We avail students excellent scholarship opportunities while encouraging individual and collaborative research. Our core curriculum comprises Latin and Greek languages, Greek and Roman Literature, Classical and Hellenistic Philosophy, History, Religion, mythology, Rhetoric, Law and Jurisprudence, and Gender and Sexuality Studies.
Courses are taught in such a way that students are helped to develop cognitive skills and employ knowledge of past human experiences in addressing contemporary issues.
Learn From Industry Leaders
We've produced leaders in top industries around the world, including politicians and top decision makers like Governor Obaseki, Wole Soyinka, Late Chief Bola Ige, Edward Dickson, etc.
Fields of Specilization
We have varieties of specialization from which students can learn in preparation for further studies in whatever fields they may choose to major in.
Professional Certification
A certificate from the Department of Classics, at the first and best University in Nigeria, whether single or double honours paves way to greater success in whatever career path students decide on.
Admission requirements as laid down by the University of Ibadan:
REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE IN CLASSICS AND SCHEDULE OF COURSES
UME: 5 Ordinary Level Credits at one sitting or 6 Ordinary Level Credits at two sittings, to include English Language, Literature in English or History and at least one Arts subject. UME subjects include: English Language, Literature in English and at least one Arts subject.
Direct Entry: 2 A’ level passes to include Literature in English/History or at least, a merit pass in two NCE teaching subjects, including Literature/ English or History.
Programme /Sub-Discipline Structure to include period of formal studies in the Universities/Industrial training, planned visit and projects: For B.A. Classics, four years of formal studies in which the student must pass at least 20 units each year, obtain a minimum of 160 units, and pass all compulsory courses at the end of the 4th year. Otherwise the student spends an extra semester or session to meet up the outstanding requirement(s). Compulsory General Studies (GES) courses must also be passed before a student can graduate.
REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGHER DEGREES IN CLASSICS AND SCHEDULE OF COURSES
Admission Requirements
Candidates are normally required to possess an honours degree in Classics/Classical Studies or other related discipline in the Humanities, such as English, Religious Studies, History, Archaeology, Philosophy, Linguistics, Political Science, Anthropology, Sociology and Geography.
Regulations
For the general regulations governing higher degree programmes (M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.), see the current University Calendar.
Fields of Specialization
The following are the fields of specialization available in the Department, from one of which a major area is required to be chosen.
- Classical Literature
- Epic, Lyric and Elegiac poetry, Drama, Rhetoric in Latin and Greek
- Classical Literature in Translation
- Classical History Greek History, Roman History, Byzantine History, Egyptian History, Historiography
- Ancient Philosophy The pre-Socratic, Socrates and Sophists, Plato, Aristotle, the Epicureans and Stoics, Neo-Platonism, Early Christian Philosophy.
- Science & Religion Greek Science, Geography, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry Greek Religion and its Survival in Christianity Roman Religion, Christianity in the Roman Empire, Egyptian Religion, Christianity in Egypt.
- Classical Archaeology and History of Africa in Antiquity Archaeology of North Africa (Maghreb) and North-East Africa (Egypt and Sudan) Archaeology of Italy, Roman Britain
- Epigraphy Latin Epigraphy Greek Epigraphy
- Classical and African Mythology
- Classical Mythology, World Mythology, African Mythology, Biblical Mythology
- Gender Issues in the Classical World Women in the Classical World Family life in Greece and Rome Gender Relationships in Greece and Rome
- Comparative Studies History, Literature, Religion, Linguistics.
- Rhetoric.
- Roman Law Civil law, Jurisprudence
Requirements for the degree of M.A.
Compulsory Courses
(1) CLC 701 (Project), 6 units
(2) Seminar Work on one area of 1-10 above, 2 units
(3) CLL 701 or CLG 701, 4 units
(4) CLC 703-715, 6 units Total Compulsory units 18
Candidates are expected to register for a minimum of 18 units more from other courses available.
To be considered for the award of the degree candidates will be required (in addition to satisfying the examiners in compulsory courses) to obtain a minimum of 12 (twelve) units in other courses.
Candidates other than graduates of Classics/Classical Studies who intend to proceed from the Degree of M.A. to that of M.Phil. or Ph.D shall normally be required to take and pass remedial courses in Greek and Latin as determined by the Department.
Requirements for the degree of M.Phil.
- Candidates will be required to submit a dissertation on a subject approved by the Department.
- Candidates will be required to present two seminar papers at departmental/faculty level before registering their higher degree titles.
- Candidates will be required, before the end of their study, to demonstrate a satisfactory reading and translation ability of French or German.
Requirements for the Degree of Ph.D.
- Candidates will be required to submit a thesis on a topic approved by the Department.
- Candidates will be required, before registering their titles, to present two seminar papers at Department/Faculty level.
- Candidates will be required, before the end of their study to demonstrate a satisfactory reading and translation ability of at least one of the following languages;
(i) French (ii) German (iii) Italian.