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General information for postgraduate degrees can be found on the main University webpages:

Student postgraduate representative

The student postgraduate representative liaises between postgraduates and the Programme. The postgraduate representative attends Classics Programme meetings to report on any problems, make requests, and inform the staff of events, successes etc. If any confidential matters are to be discussed at the meeting, the postgraduate rep may be asked to withdraw from the meeting. The current postgraduate representative is Jacqui Moate.

Supervision

Concerns with supervision

If at any time a postgraduate student experiences concerns with their supervision, then any of the following individuals can be consulted. All postgraduate concerns are treated confidentially:

  • Your supervisor
  • Student postgraduate representative (currently Jacqui Moate)
  • Head of Programme (currently Gwynaeth McIntyre)

Research and study leave

Staff regularly receive Research and Study Leave sabbaticals. During this time the Head of Programme will appoint a substitute supervisor to ensure that you receive continuity with your supervision.

Memorandum of Understanding

Completion of a Memorandum of Understanding is compulsory and is completed after your arrival. It serves as an agreement between you and your supervisors concerning supervision practices (how often you meet etc) and deadlines for the submission of written work.

Progress reports

PhD students have a six-month meeting with the Head of Programme and their supervisors in the first year, and annually thereafter. MA students have 6-monthly meetings with the HoP and their supervisors. These meetings are a chance to consider and judge progress, and to raise any supervisory or other issues.

Conferences

Conference funding

PhD students can request overseas conference funding for one conference from the Division of Humanities.

Access the conference leave funding form

The current amount that can be applied for is $2,500 including the conference fee. We generally recommend that a research trip is carried out in conjunction with conference attendance.

Amphorae

The Annual Meeting of Postgraduates in Hellenic Or Roman Antiquities and Egyptology (AMPHORAE) is a conference designed for Postgraduate and Honours students from Australia and New Zealand to interact and share their current work among peers in a friendly and stimulating environment.

ASCS

The Australasian Society for Classical Studies (ASCS) aims at the advancement of the study of ancient Greece and Rome and related fields. Membership is open to all present and past researchers, teachers and students of the languages, literature, history, thought and archaeology of the ancient world, and other interested persons. ASCS holds an annual conference and publishes Antichthon, a journal of ancient world studies.

Language requirement

For postgraduate study in Classics, one is expected to have at least 3 semesters worth of training in Latin or Greek at MA level and at least 5 semesters in Latin or Greek at PhD level. Therefore, we recommend that students seeking to enter postgraduate study in Classics to have begun study on one or, preferably, both languages.

Tutoring and lecturing

Opportunities for tutoring are limited but the Programme is committed to ensuring that students gain, where possible, some tutoring experience during their postgraduate study.

Where possible, supervisors are encouraged to give their postgraduate students some lecturing experience (e.g. a guest lecture in a taught course). To those postgraduates who are proficient in Greek or Latin, the opportunity exists to teach the Introduction to Greek and Latin courses.

Workspace

Office space, including a desk, internet access, and a computer (if required), will be provided for each postgraduate student. Alternatively, a space in the postgraduate suite will be provided (if required).

Access to the building after hours is via student ID card and code access.

After hours access to the administration office is by key entry. Please note that as this room contains mail for staff and students, it should always be locked after hours.
For all space and access queries, please ask at the Programme's reception area.

Library and interlibrary loans

Library

The Classics subject librarian is Chris Seay. Chris is available to provide tours of the library and assist with access to library resources and training.

Chris Seay
Email christopher.seay@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 8976

Classics Library subject guide
For Classics research databases and the latest books

Interlibrary Loans

Interlibrary loans are covered by the Programme, within reason. Please ask at reception if you require an interlibrary loan.

Seminars and afternoon tea

The Classical Association invites monthly guest speakers to provide talks for its members as well as postgraduate students of Classics.

We operate a bi-weekly seminar series. Postgraduate attendance at these seminars is considered obligatory as part of the culture of the Programme.

Afternoon tea is provided prior to these seminars on Wednesday afternoon at 3pm in the Classics library. This is a wonderful opportunity for staff and postgraduate students to meet informally.

Thesis writing guides

Access the thesis writing guides that are available to download from the University Library

Submission of thesis

Contact information

For enquiries concerning MA and PhD research degrees, please contact:

Associate Professor Pat Wheatley
Postgraduate Coordinator
Email pat.wheatley@otago.ac.nz

For general administrative matters:

Email classics@otago.ac.nz

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