A Practical Guide to your Studies

Tips for students and lecturers, and frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The following information is to be understood as a rough guide for students and lecturers on the Classical Archaeology degree programme, covering most FAQs. It is based on the formal regulations on University’s intranet, but provides simplified information in line with the practices at the Institute of Classical Archaeology (IKA). Exceptions may be made in justified individual cases and special situations. In general, basic information can be found on the webpage of the StudiesServiceCentre (SSC) and under 'Your way through your studies'.

Course examinations

These are subject to § 5 para. 3 of the study regulations of the University of Vienna:

“For course examinations, at least one examination date must take place in the semester in which the course is held after its end, as well as at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the next semester. The head of the course in question is responsible for setting these dates.” This is a minimum requirement, i.e. the course leader can (but does not have to) examine for longer on a voluntary basis. However, there is no final deadline.

Oral presentations and written assignments:

In order to avoid extreme variation in practice, IKA lecturers are asked to use these guidelines. However, students must follow the specific guidelines communicated for each course.

- PS: presentation: maximum 30 min.
- PS: written paper: 10 pages (substantive text)
 
- SE: presentation: maximum 45 min.
- SE: written paper: 20 pages (substantive text)

Dissertations:

- BA thesis: at least 30 pages (university requirement)
- MA thesis: at least 60 to approx. 120 pages of substantive text (without catalogue, illustrations, etc.)

Accessible study:

The number of students with anxiety disorders or anxieties in relation to giving presentations or public speaking has been increasing noticeably in recent years. Therefore, we would like to point out the possibility of alternative assessments or examination types in justified exceptional cases. The prerequisite for this is that the student contacts the Accessible Studies team in advance, and has their status confirmed with a specialist medical certificate ('diagnosis-free proof'). Alternative assessment methods are then worked out individually with teaching staff, and are binding for all parties involved.

As an affected student, you must therefore be responsible for your condition. At the beginning of the semester, please inform all of your course instructors of your situation. It is neither desirable nor expedient to have a series of hoc deadline extensions from individual teachers, as improvising often only prolongs problems in the degree programme, rather than resolving them.

BA theses:

Two BA theses are required, each with at least 30 pages of substantive text. The topic of these is chosen from an SE course from the IKA course programme. When assigning topics in the SE therefore, care should be taken to ensure that the chosen topic meets the (slightly more extensive) requirements of a BA thesis. Before assigning topics therefore, SE instructors should ask who would like to write a BA thesis as part of the course. A BA thesis can be assigned by all course instructors who hold an SE, regardless of whether they are 'internal', 'external', habilitated or not. If you submit a BA thesis, please do not forget to fill in the relevant form for grading and send it to us.

Deadlines for submission and grading of written work (PS, SE, BA thesis etc.):

For courses with continuous assessment, the submission deadline for PS papers, SE papers or BA theses is 30 April for the preceding winter semester, and 30 September for the preceding summer semester. Instructors of courses with continuous assessment must assess written work immediately, but no later than four weeks after receipt of the written work.

Supplementary examination in Greek:

ATTENTION: As the supplementary examination in Greek is not compulsory, but may be taken as an additional examination during the BA programme, it must not be the very last examination of your BA programme.

Supervision of MA theses:

All 'internal' habilitated lecturers (i.e. those who are on the staff of the institute), as well as all 'external' habilitated lecturers (assigned lecturers) are eligible as supervisors, provided they are still active in teaching and agree to supervise.

MA examination (viva voce) [more...]:

There should be two examiners, the first of which is usually the same as the supervisor of the MA thesis. All 'internal' and 'external' postdoctoral lecturers at the institute (see above) are eligible as second examiners. At least one of the two examiners should come from the circle of 'internal' habilitation candidates at the IKA.

ATTENTION: At least one of the two examination subjects must be chosen from the two core areas of Classical Archaeology (i.e. Greek Archaeology or Roman Archaeology).

The examination is usually chaired by the Vice-SPL for Classical Archaeology. Archaeology. If he is unable to do so, he can delegate this function to a deputy.

The candidate coordinates the date of the MA examination with the examination board (i.e. first and second examiner and chairperson) themselves. Please note that you will need a room at the institute (seminar room in the cast collection, lecture theatre 12 of the institute, etc.): Therefore, enquire in advance at the secretary's office when a suitable room is free and available. As soon as you have fixed the examination date, please also inform the secretary's office so that the room can be reserved for your defence!

Procedure of the approx. 1-hour (public) MA examination:

• 15-minute presentation (with PowerPoint) of the topic, content and results of the MA thesis; followed by approx.
• 20 minutes of questioning by the first examiner (supervisor) on the topic of the MA thesis and its scientific environment; followed by approx. 5 minutes of public discussion.
• Approx. 20 minutes of questioning by the second examiner on the second examination area.
• Each member of the examination board may then ask questions. The MA examination is to be assessed positively if both parts of the examination are positive. And then it's time to celebrate!

last update 14.1.2024