Doctor of Philosophy in Classics: Special Tracks

ancient history, music, performance, and philosophy

Ancient History

Washington University offers unique resources for the study of ancient history.  The PhD track in Ancient History is designed to take advantage of these resources and prepare strong candidates for positions in both Classics and History Departments. 


Principal Faculty:

Nicola Aravecchia, Associate Professor of Classics
Classical art and archaeology, Graeco-Roman and Late Antique Egypt, early Christian architecture

William Bubelis, Associate Professor of Classics
Greek history and epigraphy, economic history of the ancient Near East, ancient religion, Attic oratory and historiography, numismatics

Timothy Moore, John and Penelope Biggs Distinguished Professor of Classics
Roman historiography

Daniel Bornstein, Professor of History and Religious Studies, Stella K. Darrow Professor of Catholic Studies
History of Christianity and of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

Mark Gregory Pegg, Professor of History
Medieval European history


Requirements: 

  • Complete the following courses:

                 L22 History 5471: The Literature of History
                 A second 400- or 500-level course on a topic related to the history of the ancient Mediterranean world (offered by the Department of History or the Department of Classics or another department by permission; this is in addition to the course in ancient history required of all Classics Ph.D. students).

  • Complete a master’s thesis on a topic in ancient history that also engages with material culture.
  • Complete a special field exam based on bibliography drawn up by student and advisor, and consisting of primary, secondary, and comparative historical fields.
  • The dissertation will concern a topic in ancient history.

 


Ancient Music

Washington University is unique in North America in offering a Classics Ph.D. with a specialized track in Ancient Music.  Students will study with faculty in both the Classics and the Music Departments, learning about the Greco-Roman musical world and gaining skills in comparative musicology essential for carrying out successful research in this area.
 

Principal faculty:

Timothy Moore, John and Penelope Biggs Distinguished Professor of Classics
Ancient Music, Roman Theater, Research through Performance

Patrick Burke, Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology
Jazz and Popular Music in the United States, Music and Race

Dolores Pesce, Avis Blewett Professor of Music
Western Music of the Middle Ages
 

Requirements:

  • Complete the following courses:

                  L08 Classics 462: Ancient Greek and Roman Music
                  A 400- or 500-level course in ethnomusicology
                  A 400- or 500-level course in musicology or ethnomusicology

  • Complete a special field exam related to ancient music or its reception (with a specialized reading list).
  • The dissertation will concern a topic in ancient music or its reception.

 


Ancient Performance

The special track in Ancient Performance will give students interested in ancient theatre and other performance the opportunity to combine work in Classics with coursework, guided research, and hands-on experience in performance and performance studies.  Students will work with faculty both in Classics and in Performing Arts. 
 

Principal faculty:

Catherine Keane, Associate Professor of Classics
Roman Comedy and Satire

Timothy Moore, John and Penelope Biggs Distinguished Professor of Classics
Ancient Music, Roman Theater, Research Through Performance

Robert Henke, Professor of Drama and Comparative Literature
Ancient and Renaissance Theater and Performance, Comparative Literature, Dramatic Theory

Henry Schvey, Professor of Drama and Comparative Literature
Modern American and European Drama, Shakespeare in Production, Expressionism and the Arts, Tennessee Williams
 

Requirements:

  • Complete two 400- or 500- level courses in Performing Arts (course that includes the study of ancient performance or Classical reception in modern performance are encouraged, but not required).
  • Complete a special project involving performance (e.g. work as a dramaturge for a production, work on a translation for performance).
  • Complete a special field exam related to ancient performance, Performance Studies, or Classical reception in modern performance (with a specialized reading list).
  • The dissertation will concern a topic in ancient performance, Performance Studies, or Classical reception in modern performance.

 


Ancient Philosophy

The special track in Ancient Philosophy is designed for students interested in Ancient Philosophy who want to supplement their philosophical work with broad training in the languages, literatures, and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome.  Students will work with faculty in both the Classics and Philosophy Departments.
 

Principal faculty:

Eric Brown, Associate Professor of Philosophy
Greek and Roman Philosophy and Ethics

Luis Alejandro Salas, Assistant Professor of Classics
Greek and Roman Medicine, Greek and Roman Philosophy, Psychology
 

Requirements:

  • Complete the following courses:

            Two 400- or 500-level courses in ancient philosophy
            A third 400- or 500-level course in any area of philosophy

  • Complete a special field exam in a field of ancient philosophy.
  • The dissertation will concern a topic in ancient philosophy or its reception.