Sarah Wenner at Tharros

The Department of Classics offers M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Classics with specializations in Aegean Prehistory, and Greek and Roman Archaeology. For the past sixty years, the University of Cincinnati has trained students at the doctoral level and its graduates are among the most distinguished archaeologists in the field of Mediterranean archaeology. Archaeology graduates have assumed academic and research posts in the Academy at Athens, American School of Classical Studies in Athens, University of Arizona at Tucson, Bucknell University, Bryn Mawr College, Butler University, College of Charleston, Dartmouth College, Drew University, Greek Archaeological Service, J. Paul Getty Center, Harvard University, Ohio University, Tulane University, University of Cincinnati, University of Cyprus, University of Durrës, University of Leuven, University of London, University of Maryland, University of Maryland-European Division, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina Greensboro, University of North London, University of Otago, Smithsonian Museum, University of Thessaloniki, Rutgers University, University of Western Ontario, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Notre Dame University, Franklin and Marshall, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, University of Indiana, Trent University and Xavier University. Others are employed in the corporate world, museums and in publishing.

Admission

Students interested in applying for admission to the graduate program should first contact the Archaeology Graduate Advisor, Eleni Hatzaki

To be considered for entry in the fall of each year, an application must be complete no later than January 15 of each year. The application procedures are outlined here. Select applicants will be invited to campus to participate in a prospectives students’ event in late February.

Decisions are generally announced within 60 days of the closing of applications.

Teaching and Research Personnel

Eleven archaeologists are currently associated with the department of Classics at UC:

Barbara Burrell
 (Roman archaeology) Associate Professor. Caesarea Maritima Excavations.
Jack Davis (Greek prehistory) Carl W. Blegen Professor of Greek Archaeology. Pylos Excavation. 
Steven J.R. Ellis 
(Roman archaeology) Associate Professor. Pompeii Archaeological Research Project: Porta Stabia.
Florence Gaignerot-Driessen (Aegean prehistory) Assistant Professor. Anavlochos Project
Eleni Hatzaki 
(Aegean prehistory) Associate Professor. Gypsades Excavations, Knossos.
Carol Ruth Hershenson 
(Bronze Age Aegean) Junior Research Associate. Editor, Nestor.
Jeff Kramer (Bronze Age archaeology) Junior Research Associate. Archivist.
Kathleen Lynch
 (Classical archaeology) Professor.
Sharon Stocker (Greek archaeology) Senior Research Associate. Pylos Excavations.
John Wallrodt (Computer applications in archaeology) Senior Research Associate.
Susan Allen (Bronze Age Aegean) Associate Professor of Anthropology

Cincinnati emphasizes a balanced approach to Classical antiquity that prepares our graduates for careers in Classics as well as archaeology and art history. We encourage advanced study in ancient history and in at least one of the ancient languages, Greek or Latin. Three ancient historians are in residence: Peter van Minnen, Marion Kruse, and Calloway Scott. Students may also study with any of the several faculty at Hebrew Union College, conveniently situated just across the street from UC. Archaeologists in the Department of Anthropology at UC include Susan Allen and Ken Tankersley.

Resources

The Department officially supports archaeological fieldwork and post-fieldwork study at Pylos (Greece), Apollonia (Albania), the Athenian Agora (Greece), Knossos (Greece), Pompeii (Italy), Tharros (Sardinia), Gordion (Turkey), and Caesarea Maritima (Israel). It also sponsors the publication program of the University of Cincinnati Excavations at Ayia Irini, Keos, Greece, and Troy in Turkey.

The bibliographical newsletter Nestor and the monogaphs in the excavations series for Troy and Keos are based in the department, and there are opportunities for students to gain experience in the production of scholarly works. 

What we are looking for!

The Department receives many applications each year from students interested in studying for a graduate degree in archaeology (Bronze Age or Classical). We are able to admit a handful of these applicants. In making our decision we consider the following factors among others:
• facility in ancient Greek and/or Latin
• facility in modern foreign languages (preferably two): French, German, Greek (modern), Italian
• samples of written work that you send to us
• letters of recommendations from professors and from archaeologists with whom you may have worked in the field
• prior field experience in archaeology
• extent of classroom training in relevant fields such as Aegean Prehistory, Greek and Roman archaeology and art
• your undergraduate GPA
• your TOEFL score (if applicable)

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) results are welcome, but not required.

We also want to be convinced that you have thought carefully about our program and its faculty. Above all we want to ensure that Cincinnati is a good place for you to pursue your own interests in archaeology.

There are approximately 20 Ph.D. students in archaeology in the Department. The vast majority of students arrive in UC with a strong background in Classics. Past and current graduates in archaeology were trained at the following institutions:
The University of Albany, Albion College, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Arizona, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University of Auckland, Bilkent University, Boston University, Brandeis University, Bryn Mawr College, The University of Cambridge, The University of Copenhagen, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Dennison University, Duke University, University of Groningen, University of Heidelberg, Haverford College, Indiana University, The University of Leuven, The University of Maryland, Mary Washington College, University of Massachusetts Amherst, The University of Michigan, The University of Missouri, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, Oberlin College, Ohio State University, University of Pennsylvania, San Francisco State University, The University of Sydney, Sweet Briar College, Tufts University, University College Dublin, Wayne State University, Wellesley College, College of William and Mary, University of Windsor.

We are particularly eager to receive applications from students at foreign institutions.

Requirements in Bronze Age And Classical Archaeology

Language requirements in Greek and Latin. These can be met in two different ways:

  1. By passing a sight examination in Greek or Latin.
  2. By completing three courses in either Greek or Latin. Two of the courses must be at the beginning graduate level and one at seminar level.

Two modern language sight examinations.

Ancient History. Archaeology students must take two courses at the graduate level.

Special Topic. The Special Topic is selected after consultation and with the archaeology advisor. Competence is tested in a written examination.

Archaeology courses. Students entering the program with only a B.A. have to take seven graduate level courses in archaeology (three survey courses, four seminars), and write an M.A. thesis. Students entering the program with a BA and MA (or equivalent) have to take five graduate level courses in archaeology (two survey courses, three seminars). 

Comprehensive Examination
A Comprehensive Examination must be taken before beginning Ph.D. research. Examinations consisting of four written and one oral component are given in the following areas:

For Bronze Age Archaeology-

  1. Earlier Prehistory
  2. Late Bronze Age
  3. Classical Archaeology
  4. Greek and Roman History
  5. Oral Examination

For Classical Archaeology-

  1. Greek Archaeology
  2. Roman Archaeology
  3. Bronze Age.
  4. Ancient History
  5. Oral Examination

The Comprehensive Examination must be passed no later than by the end of the fourth year. The department encourages students to spend at least one year abroad after the completion of the Comprehensive Examination.

Financial Support

The Department offers fellowships (with tiers between $26,000 to $28,000 per year) for up to seven years for doctoral students entering with a B.A. degree or up to six years for students entering with a M.A. degree in Classics. An additional stipend of $2,000 is available for independent study during the summer for students resident in Cincinnati or traveling to study abroad.

Our Ph.D. students regularly receive financial support to study abroad during their fourth or fifth year of graduate work. In recent years students have chosen to study in Greece and Italy. In addition, many of our students complete a summer program of study in Italy or Greece.

For more information, contact Eleni Hatzaki, Department of Classics, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 210226, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0226 (513) 556-3050 FAX: (513) 556-4366.