Classical Archaeology

The first study degree of Classical Archaeology is aimed on acquirement of general knowledge that represents vital presumption for the understanding and further study of the cultural-historical development, socio-economic structures, and material culture of the two main civilizations of the Ancient world - Greece and Rome.

Special courses are primarily focused on archaeology, with emphasis on the material culture, architecture, and arts of the ancient civilizations.

An integral part of the study is practical experience supporting not only in the field of archaeological prospection and research but also for subsequent laboratory processing, documentation, and scientific evaluation of the results.

Unique is the possibility to carry out archaeological excavations and student practice in areas of the direct influence of the ancient civilizations - currently in Crete, Albania, and Italy, or at an extraordinary Roman site near Mušov.

International relations and cooperation are supported not only by the participation of students in international research or by scientific activities of the department, but also by regular lectures provided by foreign specialists. Students are recommended to attend some exchange programs. The interdisciplinary overlap of the study is very specific, in addition to specialized classic archaeological courses, students acquire basic knowledge and orientation in archaeological theory, methods, and technics, in Latin and Classical Greek languages, Ancient Literature, Ancient History, Realia, and Mythology of both civilizations.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• orient him/herself in problematics of Classical Archeology, in all its fundamental aspects - material culture, history, cultural studies, topography, art, architecture and religion of the Antiquity
• explain and describe the context of cultural and historical development, socio-economic relations and the importance of two major civilizations of the ancient world - Greece and Rome
• provide and effectively apply theoretical and practical knowledge of basic archaeological methods and techniques of research and scientific evaluation
• work with foreign language literature, computers, IT and specific technical and laboratory equipment necessary for archaeological research
• present results of his/her own professional activities (paper presentations, posters, discussions etc.) and academic writing
• explain and advocate the meaning and the cultural and social significance of classical archaeology

The branch of Classical Archaeology in Bachelor degree provides basic archaeological, historical and language education but also practical training for work on archaeological excavations in technical professions, further in museums, art galleries and other scientific, cultural and heritage preservation institutes. This education is also usable for range of various career opportunities and work positions in administrative, travel movement, journalism, publishing houses, educational and cultural organizations, etc.

Practical training accompanied by supervision is an obligatory part of the curriculum for this field and students experience 2 weeks for the programme minor, 4 weeks for the programme maior and 6 weeks for the programme completus of practical field work training on an archaeological site.

Actual site choice of the practical training and it is spread out over the semesters depends at students discretion. Preference is given to the practical training at the site where actively participate researchers of the Institute (Priniatikos Pyrgos, Oxa - Kalos Lakkos, Bibracte or Mušov). Practical training on other archaeological sites in the areas of direct influence of ancient cultures is also accepted.

A standard scope of a Bachelor's thesis follows the Internal Regulation of the faculty (link:xxx) with a minimal scope of 70,000 characters including the main text, comparanda (notes, footnotes) and content. The other parts of thesis, as appendixes, list of literature, cover sheet and affidavit do not create part of the required thesis' scope. The lists of topics are created by supervisors. They are in line with the workplace profile and based on the actual research and didactic priorities. Students choose one of those topics; in exceptional cases only, the topics may be modified always together with the supervisor. Students obviously work with academic bibliography, published data and sources. Finalized thesis should demonstrate and document that its author is well versed in their research field and related scientific bibliography and further, that they is capable to independent critical analysis and expression of their own conclusions. Bachelor's thesis should in its form and content reach the quality of an academic (scientific) text.

After completion of the Bachelor's study programme, it is possible to continue further studies in any Master's degree programme (after satisfying the admission requirements). At the Faculty of Arts MU students can apply for admission to a follow-up Master's degree programme Archaeology – speciality in Classical Archaeology.