The Department of Ancient Classics prides itself on its ability to offer postgraduate supervision and postdoctoral mentoring across a wide range of topics and disciplines. For information on courses available to postgraduates, see the list of Our Courses.
Maynooth University Department of Ancient Classics
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MA Programmes Update 2022-2023
The MAs in "Classics" and "Classical Studies" have been suspended for new students for the academic year 2022-23. However, the Department intends to reintroduce a revised MA from 2023-24. More details to be posted.
The MA handbook for 2021-2022 can be found here.
PhD Theses in Progress
Niamh Hopkins, Debt in Ancient Greece.
Supervisor: Dr William Desmond
Muditha Dharmasiri, Erased in Literary History, but remembered by the Kindred Spirits: Clashing Depictions of Female Performers in Ancient Rome.
Supervisor: Dr Maeve O'Brien
Adam Hutchinson, German Idealism and Cosmic Dualism.
Supervisor: Dr William Desmond
Stephen McCarthy, A Philosophical Commentary on Epicurus’ Letter to Herodotus: An Early Text in the Philosophy of Science.
Supervisor: Dr Gordon Campbell
PhD Theses Recently Completed
Oliver O'Sullivan, Suetonius: The Art of Biography and Personality.
Awarded: February 2020.
Supervisor: Dr Michael Williams
Dr Kerry Phelan, Historical Commentary on Demosthenes’ speech: Against Eubulides.
Awarded: November 2016.
Supervisor: Dr Kieran McGroarty.
Dr Quentin Broughall, Assuming the Purple: The Rehabilitation of Ancient Rome in Victorian Culture, 1837-1901.
Awarded: May 2015.
Supervisor: Prof. David Scourfield.
Dr Ruth O'Hara, An Assessment of the Notitia Dignitatum as a Historical Source for the Late Roman Bureaucracy.
Awarded: October 2013.
Supervisor: Dr Mark Humphries / Dr Michael Williams.
Dr Evelien Bracke, Of Metis and Magic: The Conceptual Transformations of Circe and Medea in Ancient Greek Poetry.
Awarded: August 2010.
Supervisor: Prof. David Scourfield.
Funding Opportunities
Maynooth University John and Pat Hume Doctoral Awards
Established in honour of John Hume, an alumnus of Maynooth University, and in recognition of his important contribution to Ireland, the John & Pat Hume Doctoral Awards are offered across all disciplines at Maynooth University. There is one type of award this year offering €18,500 stipend, €2,000 for research expenses plus fees for four years. Click here for more information.
The call for John & Pat Hume Doctoral Awards opens at 2pm, Wednesday, 30th November 2022 and closes at 12 midnight on Monday, 30th January 2023
Applications should be made online via a private PAC portal - John & Pat Hume PAC Application Portal.
In the meantime, if you would like to apply for a Hume Doctoral Awards to work with one of us, please email Dr William Desmond. Inquiries specifically about the Awards themselves can be sent to humephdscholarship@mu.ie
Mark Descriptors
The Department uses a set of descriptors as a general guide in assessing coursework essays and essay questions in examinations.
Please click here for further information.