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About the Course
Classics and English is a course designed to give students the opportunity to continue their study of both Classics and English, and in particular to investigate and reflect on the literary and linguistic relations between Great Britain and the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome.
It brings together three of the most important world languages and many of the texts which have exerted the most powerful influence over Western culture. Teaching takes the form of tutorials and classes, which will usually be organized and taken by the Fellows and Lecturers of the College (although those pursuing some of the more specialized options may receive tutorials from an outside tutor). Attendance at, and production of work for, tutorials and classes is compulsory, and must be given priority over all other activities.
The University organizes courses of lectures which cover the syllabus, but which are not compulsory, and which are not designed to prepare candidates for a particular examination paper. Tutors will, however, be happy to advise undergraduates concerning which lectures are likely to prove most beneficial.
Examinations
The first year examination, Prelims, is taken after three terms. Candidates must offer the following five papers:
- An Introduction to English Language and Literature
- Early Modern English Literature 1550 – 1660
- Unseen Translation [candidates may offer either Latin, or Greek, or both]
- Greek and Latin Literature 1 (translation and comment)
- Greek and Latin Literature 2 (literary essays)
The Final Examination (FHS), taken at the end of three years, allows great flexibility on both sides of the course, as well as providing extensive opportunity for candidates to explore the relations between the two sides of the course. Candidates take two papers chosen from the Classics FHS options (which may include one option from English Course II covering early periods of language and literature); two similar papers (i.e. topics or periods) drawn from the field of classical studies; and two ‘link’ papers.
All students take two link papers, one compulsory (Epic) and a choice out from;
- Comedy
- Tragedy
- Reception
Candidates must also write a dissertation, which is often (but not necessarily) related to an interdisciplinary theme.
Cultural and Intellectual Life
Students at Jesus find themselves welcomed into a serious, lively, and good-humoured academic community with every opportunity to discuss their thoughts in tutorials, seminars, and College events. The Herbert English Society provides a forum for exchange of ideas and discussion of literature, criticism, and the arts. The Society invites poets, playwrights, novelists, academics, journalists, and cultural historians. Recent speakers have included the Booker Prize-winning author Ben Okri, Marina Warner, Philip Pullman, Bernard O’Donoghue, Craig Raine, Hermione Lee, Sally Shuttleworth, William St Clair, Blair Worden, and the acclaimed poet Geoffrey Hill.
