Distribution of Course Work
The normal course load will be four courses per semester for the first year, three or four per semester in the second year (students may take three courses when holding a Teaching Assistant position in the department), and usually three in the first semester of the third year.
Course choices will be made with the advice and consent of the Director of Graduate Studies. Students in Literature and History are expected to take at least one Greek and at least one Latin course per semester, and over the course of the first five semesters a minimum of six courses in ancient history and archaeology. Recommended: at least one Greek history/archaeology course and at least one Roman history/archaeology course per year. Students in Archaeology are expected to take at least two courses in archaeology or related disciplines and one language course per semester, and over the course of the first five semesters a minimum of five courses in either Greek or Latin. (The sixth semester, when students are taking the Preliminary Examination, is usually without formal coursework.)
Taking courses outside the department is permitted and encouraged, with the following stipulations: courses not obviously pertaining to classical studies are permissible only after students pass both the Qualifying Examinations, and all choices must be approved by the DGS. Further, the student must be making satisfactory progress toward a Duke degree in Classical Studies.