MA/PhD Reading Lists

[mphaar]

I'm currently finishing a major in classics, intending to apply to MA and PhD programs in the Fall of 2011. As the Classics program is quite small at my school, I'm going to be doing alot of independent reading from January-May. As I plan for this, I've been wondering what sort of 'critical mass' grad programs are looking for in a reading list- i.e. a certain combination of prose/poetry, a certain range of authors, etc.

Of course what's important depends on the type of program to which one applies. But for a person undecided about specific programs, is there a sort of canonical list of undergrad classics reading to refer to?

[Medievalmaniac]

I'm currently finishing a major in classics, intending to apply to MA and PhD programs in the Fall of 2011. As the Classics program is quite small at my school, I'm going to be doing alot of independent reading from January-May. As I plan for this, I've been wondering what sort of 'critical mass' grad programs are looking for in a reading list- i.e. a certain combination of prose/poetry, a certain range of authors, etc.

Of course what's important depends on the type of program to which one applies. But for a person undecided about specific programs, is there a sort of canonical list of undergrad classics reading to refer to?

There are several approaches you could take to this, so many reading lists to pick from. Are you planning to go into the Classics at the master's level? If so, you want to consult Classics department homepages for reading lists:

http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Classics/grad/reading.html

http://classics.unc.edu/grad/readinglists/grad_PHDlist.html

http://www.uiowa.edu/~classics/programs/graduate/reading.html

http://classics.artsci.wustl.edu/graduate/reading_list

If you just want a "well-read folks read these things" sort of list, those are plentiful, also:

http://www.stjohnscollege.edu/academic/ANreadlist.shtml

http://rci.rutgers.edu/~wcd/complist.pdf

Hope that gives you a starting point!

[mphaar]

Hey Medievalmaniac, thanks for your reply.

More what I had in mind was what amount of reading to attempt to prepare before applying to advanced degree programs. My intention is to pursue Classics at the PhD level, so I'm trying to work out how ambitious to be with my reading until next Fall. The reading list itself is of course not the only determining factor for admission, but it's one I don't quite have a feel for. Any ideas?

I have heard of some freak cases in which people never even having studied Latin have been admitted to big PhD programs. On the other hand, looking at what I've read through so far, my impression is that I would fall somewhat short of the amount desired by even MA programs.

[mphaar]

Hey Medievalmaniac, thanks for your reply.

More what I had in mind was what amount of reading to attempt to prepare before applying to advanced degree programs. My intention is to pursue Classics at the PhD level, so I'm trying to work out how ambitious to be with my reading until next Fall. The reading list itself is of course not the only determining factor for admission, but it's one I don't quite have a feel for. Any ideas?

I have heard of some freak cases in which people never even having studied Latin have been admitted to big PhD programs. On the other hand, looking at what I've read through so far, my impression is that I would fall somewhat short of the amount desired by even MA programs. So I guess I'm still wondering- anyone have an idea of the things/amount read by most people entering grad?

We're doing the Apology, Apollonius of Tyre, Cicero's In Catilinam now, and are planning to work on Homer and the Aeneid second semester. Should I make a major effort to read more independent study to prop up this short list?