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