Classics

Message from a Student

Hi, I’m Riana and I’m a second year 1C Classicist (the most unusual Classics course!). Classics students are unusual in getting a lot more contact hours than most humanities students (especially at Jesus), meaning you’ll get to know both your fellow Jesus classicists and your tutors well, especially during your first two years before Mods (exams taken in your second term of second year). Some of those contact hours for your first two terms or more (depending on whether you do Course 1 or 2) will be faculty organised, so you’ll also get to know Classicists from other colleges too, which is a great way to make friends out of college. 1st and 2nd years are also often taught together for in college language teaching, meaning you get to know those in other years too. This variation in teaching also means your week is never boring! Classics at Oxford is split into Mods (the first two years) and Greats (Finals). Mods are made up of up to 10 papers (this maybe less if you do Course 2), most of which are compulsory, but two of which you’ll get the chance to choose, meaning you can get a sense of which parts of Classics you enjoy most before you go on to choose Greats options; for example, I’ve taken General Modern Philosophy and Aristophanes. In your first term, you’re likely to be set around 1 essay a week, as well as some faculty and in college language and translation work, which can sound like a lot, but once you get the hang of it is definitely manageable - especially as all the Jesus classicists are super friendly, and willing to help if you’re struggling with anything. Jesus is at the forefront of a new method of Classics teaching as of Michaelmas Term 2020, whereby the classical languages (initially Latin) are taught ‘actively’, meaning some classes are actually taught in Latin! While this can sound daunting, it’s amazing what a difference it can make to your understanding and confidence. All the tutors are understanding and patient if you can’t express something, or answer a question easily, and ensure that classes are taught at appropriate different levels. It can also be really fun!