This course aims to: develop and encourage students' interest in the literature, history and culture of the classical world, by providing a broadly based and challenging curriculum including course-units that are innovative and stimulating, informed by the research expertise of the teaching staff, and examined by a range of methods of assessment; train students in the methods, techniques and approaches necessary for the critical study of Greek and Roman literature, history and culture, based on extensive reading of classical texts; help students to work independently and to organise effectively their own schedules of personal study; produce graduates with the transferable cognitive skills necessary to equip them for employment, postgraduate study, or further training; make available progressive language courses in Latin and/or Greek, starting from elementary, intermediate or advanced level, consolidating any existing knowledge of the language(s) and developing particularly reading knowledge but also some active competence and other language-based and language-related skills. Although language study is not required, all students are encouraged to take a language option, and if successful to continue language study throughout the programme, and thus to follow a `language pathway'. Classical Studies is a highly flexible programme which offers a broad-based study of the culture and history of the Greek and Roman worlds. It allows all students the opportunity to take either Greek or Latin (or both) at any level including beginners' courses, though you can take the programme without studying language. Students also take specialist courses, which may include ancient literature, history, religion, philosophy, art and archaeology. There is a wide range of styles of teaching, including lectures, seminars, small-group tutorials and virtual seminars via the web. Assessment practices in different course units vary, but our basic aim is to achieve a good balance between formal examinations, continuous assessment, and project work. Written examinations are held at the end of most courses. The third-year dissertation provides 25% of the total marks for the degree.