Resources for Undergraduate Students
To understand the present and to imagine the future it is necessary to study the past. The History program aims both to impart knowledge and stimulate enquiry about the human past, and to develop, by means of historical study, a range of valuable skills and qualities of mind which have general application. History provides an important bridge between the Humanities and Social Sciences, and can be a valuable complement to studies in other faculties, especially Law and Commerce. History also provides opportunities for specialisation in area studies: Australian, European, African or Asian.
History is offered on both the Hobart and Launceston campuses. A full History major is available through Distance Education. In addition, a number of Hobart and Launceston units are available by cross-campus delivery. This means that a unit taught on one campus is made available on the other through a combination of videolink, taped-recordings, written material and face-to-face instruction.
People seek to learn about the past, to study change over time, because it is useful, intellectually challenging and endlessly fascinating. Historical knowledge is a vital component of what is now termed cultural literacy. In all walks of life, people familiar with events, institutions and ideas of the past have a head-start in making sense of the present.
The study of history, however, is not a matter of memorising facts: it is about learning how to locate information, to analyse and to interpret sources, to engage in systematic exposition and reasoned argument. It provides valuable experience and training in making judgements on the basis of incomplete information, in understanding human life in all its complexity, in critical thought and in jargon-free communication.
In today's fast-moving world, the value of a well-stocked and well-trained mind is all too evident. Arts graduates with history majors, and (if applicable) appropriate postgraduate diplomas, find work in journalism, the electronic media, teaching, libraries, politics, law, the public service, and business. It is worth noting, too, that history, broadly conceived, is an industry in its own right, with employment in writing and teaching, publishing and entertainment, museums and archives, heritage and tourism.
Courses in Classics have been available to students since teaching began at the University in 1893. Today, students enjoy an extensive choice of units in many fields of ancient studies thanks to the wide-ranging teaching and research interests of present members of staff. All units are offered in Hobart, with some units offered via video conferencing to the Launceston campus.
Classics, to put it simply, is the study of the cultural and political achievements of the ancient Greeks and Romans. For most students at this University, Classics means Ancient Civilisations, a course in which students study the history, literature, visual arts, philosophy and mythology of the ancient Mediterranean world. All works are studied in English translation and there are no language requirements until honours level. We also offer a major in Latin as well as courses in Ancient Greek.
Classics is a traditional subject. Why do we still do it today? One major reason is that the Greeks and Romans began conversations in which we are still engaged today. In their literature and philosophy the ancient Greeks were the first to ask such questions as: 'What are the rights of the individual against the state?', ˜Why should we be moral?', ˜What is knowledge and how can we be sure that we have it?'. The ancient Greeks invented the concept of democracy, while the ancient Romans invented the idea of the republic.
But Classics is also a modern subject. Classics as we do it now is very different from what was done a century ago. We place less emphasis on linguistic knowledge and the reconstruction of ancient texts and more on such issues as gender and political ideology. We are concerned to ask questions about the relationship between political power and artistic achievement, how the Greeks and Romans represented the natures of men and women, the character of their family structures, the roles of parents, children and slaves.
Studying Classics is not just about encountering two great and fascinating civilisations. It is also about learning how to locate information, to analyse and to interpret sources, to engage in systematic exposition and reasoned argument. It provides valuable experience and training in making judgements on the basis of incomplete information, in understanding human life in all its complexity, in critical thought and in jargon-free communication.
In today's fast-moving world, the value of a well-stocked and well-trained mind is all too evident. Arts graduates with Classics majors, and (if applicable) appropriate post graduate diplomas, find work in journalism, the electronic media, teaching, libraries, politics, law, the public service, and business.
Resources for Honours Students
All students interested in enroling in History honours must contact the History Honours Coordinator, Professor Michael Bennett, before applying.
HTA400 History Honours (Full-time)
HTA401 History Honours (Part-time)
Plus 12.5% CORE coursework unit:
HTA402 The Practice of History
Plus one 25% elective coursework unit chosen from:
HTA412 History Honours Seminar A
HTA414 History Honours Seminar C
Plus one 12.5% elective coursework unit chosen from:
HTA413 History Honours Seminar B
HTA415 History Honours Seminar D
Plus thesis totalling 50%:
HTA445 History Honours Thesis A
HTA446 History Honours Thesis B
HTA447 History Honours Thesis C
HTA448 History Honours Thesis D
Entry requirements: average score of 65% or better; successful completion of Latin 1.
HTC400 Classics 4 (Honours)
HTC401 Classics 4 (Honours)
HTC402 Seminar in Ancient Culture
HTC403 Seminar in Ancient History
HTC404 Seminar in Ancient Literature
HTC405 Honours Thesis Part A
HTC406 Honours Thesis Part B
(a) Seminar course A (one of HTC402, 403, 404) (25%)
13x2-hour seminars in first semester
Assessed by (a) 3x3,000-word essays and (b) 1 3hr-exam
Seminar course is Latin-based.
(b) Seminar course B (one of HTC402, 403, 404) (25%)
13x2-hour seminars in second semester
Assessed by (a) 3x3,000-word essays and (b) 1 3hr-exam
Seminar course is Latin-based.
(c) Thesis (HTC405, HTC406) (2x25%)
HTC405 Thesis Part A consists of two parts:
(1) Reading course in Latin or Ancient Greek (12.5%)
Assessed by (a) 1 3hr-exam and (b) 1x2000-word essay
(2) Thesis preparation (assessment incorporated into HTC406)
HTC40 Thesis Part B
Consists of thesis of 12,500-15,000 words
Welcome to the honours program in Classics. In this guide you will find information on the most obvious areas about which you may have queries, or about which the School particularly wishes you to be informed. Above and beyond these the golden rule is: when in doubt, ask your supervisor.
In your honours course you will be working with a number of lecturers. You will already know the teachers in the seminar courses you are taking. If you have not already done so, you should be identifying the area on which you will be writing a thesis, both by talking to your teachers and the Head of Discipline. The Head of Discipline will approve your project and appoint your thesis supervisor.
The School will endeavour to provide you with working space. We have a room for Classics honours (Room 317) and postgraduate students in Hobart (Room 471). You will be issued with a key to the Honours Room, which will give you access to the School MacLab (Room 465), the tea room and the photocopier room.
Thieving is a constant problem within the University so it is in your own interest as well as ours that you keep keys secure. Insurance only covers the University's own property!
The following are available, the School bearing costs where they are incurred:
Photocopying
Hobart: The Secretary will issue you with your own code. Please confine your copying to bona fide research material, and generally to items not otherwise available in your campus library. Your code will be issued with a limit of 500 pages. Charges will be made for copying over and above those figures, unless a special case is made to the Head of School via your thesis supervisor. In Hobart please note to lock the door behind you.
Interlibrary Loans
Any requests must be countersigned by your supervisor.
Phone and Fax:
Telephones are available for research-related STD calls in the Secretaries' Offices during working hours. For personal calls and calls out of office hours public phones are available: Hobart in the foyer of the Humanities Building. (Note the phone in the Honours room in Hobart is restricted to Campus only, but can receive outside calls).
The school fax facility is available at the discretion of your supervisor. Please check with the Administration Staff before use.
You may send any letters (not parcels) genuinely related to your research work via the School. Note that 'School of History and Classics' should be written or stamped on the back of the envelope (a stamp is available at the School Office).
Hobart students: Incoming mail will be put in the pigeon hole marked 'Honours', which is located in the tea room.
Microfilm readers
Microfilm readers are located in Hobart in Room 465B and 461, normally locked; access is by application to the Secretary. In Launceston there are microfilm readers in the library.
Computers
MAC computers are available to you in (1) the School Mini MacLab in Hobart (Room 465), and in (2) the University computer labs, which have 24-hour access.
We would like all Honours students to make use of their e-mail addresses and to access their e-mail at least once a week so that this can be used as a reliable means of communication for meetings etc.
The School's budget is always tight, but we try to make limited funds available on special request via your supervisor.
Your thesis supervisor will probably be your first port of call for queries or problems. Otherwise contact the School Executive Officer.
Hobart
Executive Officer: Lyn Richards +61 3 6226 2298
Administrative Assistant: Hannah Arthur +61 3 6226 2544
Launceston
Administrative Assistant: Danielle Grossman +61 3 6324 3223
Honours Co-ordinator
Dr Geoff Adams
+61 3 6226 2289
email: Geoffrey.Adams@utas.edu.au
Head of Classics Discipline
Dr Graeme Miles
+61 3 6226 2299
email: Graeme.Miles@utas.edu.au
Resources for Research Higher Degree Candidates
The School of History and Classics provides supervision for students pursuing Master of Arts (MA) (by research) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
The School has an international reputation for scholarship and research. Staff and honorary research associates have published over thirty books, mainly on colonial Tasmania; late nineteenth and early twentieth century Australia; Modern Britain and Ireland, France, India, China and Indonesia; and Medieval and Early Modern England.
When possible, the School offers postgraduate courses in Tasmanian history and the history of Christianity, and welcomes enquiries from students wishing to undertake research MA and PhD work in any of the fields in which the School has expertise.
Please contact Dr Stefan Petrow (Postgraduate Coordinator) on (03) 6226 2304 or via email: Stefan.Petrow@utas.edu.au.
Research Links