Dr Ian Goh

• Performing the Informal Economy in the Roman Italian Street, 100 B.C.E. – 100 C.E. (awarded 2026)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Prof Joanne Berry

• CL-M09 Dissertation in Ancient History and or Classical Literature

  Students produce a dissertation of up to 20,000 words on Classics and Ancient History or approved Classical Subject topic, chosen in conjunction with their supervisor. This represents the culmination of the MA Classics and Ancient History and constitutes Part Two of the programme.

• CL-M113 Advanced Research Project Preparation

  This module will develop the generic research skills acquired in CL-M08 (Research Methodologies in Classics and Ancient History) and focus them specifically towards preparation of a research proposal for the independent research project (CL-M09 Dissertation in Ancient History and/or Classical Literature). To this end students will be required to reflect critically on the feedback they have received for work in TB1; they will also be challenged to investigate diverse methodological approaches to their proposed area of research, for example by examining how understanding aspects of material culture enhances research approaches to literary texts (and vice versa). By the end of the module, students will have prepared a detailed research proposal for their dissertation.

• CL-M26 Greek Texts 1

  This module is for students with reading proficiency in Ancient Greek, typically with three or more years of prior instruction and learning. It develops skills of close reading, analysis and independent interpretation of Ancient Greek texts.

• CL-M28 Latin Texts 1

  This module is for students with reading proficiency in Latin, typically with three or more years of prior instruction and learning. It develops skills of close reading, analysis and independent interpretation of Latin texts.

• CL-M54A Postgraduate Further Greek 1

  This module is for those who have previously studied Ancient Greek, typically for two years at University, and want to consolidate and continue to a higher level of attainment.

• CL-M58A Postgraduate Further Latin 1

  This module is for those who have previously studied Latin, typically for two years at University, and want to consolidate and continue to a higher level of attainment.

• CLC102 Ovid's Metamorphoses: Transformations of Mythology

  If you want to find out how most of the old stories we know and love took the form they have today, this is the module for you. Together we¿ll read large chunks of the entertaining epic `Metamorphoses¿ (Met. for short) by the brilliant poet Ovid, which collected about 250 myths in the guise of a history of the world from its creation to his own day, the Roman empire around the turn of the millennium. The result is absolutely a work of genius; it is frequently confronting and sharply political, and it contains multitudes, teetering on the edge of excess. Every story involves transformation, and Ovid constantly plays with what was traditional and expected for his audience. You¿ll learn a bit about Roman history and literature along the way as well. Getting to know and understand this work will captivate you and even change your life. Please note, though, that the work contains many, often grotesque episodes that present rather disturbing sensitive material, which we promise is there for a reason.

• CLC200 Roman Love Poetry

  Love elegy was a short-lived, vibrant poetic genre that flourished at Rome during the late Republic and early Empire. More personal in its style than the grand narratives of epic, love elegy focuses on steamy extra-marital affairs, seduction techniques, and the social roles of men and women. This module examines, in English translation, selections from Catullus, Tibullus, Propertius, and Ovid. Through close reading of these texts, we shall discuss the conventions and development of love elegy as a poetic genre, as well as addressing its themes of gender, sexuality, loss, violence, poetic persona, and urban sophistication. A common trait of Roman love poetry is the provocative stance it adopts towards conventional morality, especially in the wake of the Emperor Augustus¿ marriage reforms. In order to evaluate such political and social engagement, this module will situate love elegy carefully within its historical context, and consider the possible implications of its rebellious worldview.

• CLC300 Roman Love Poetry

  Love elegy was a short-lived, vibrant poetic genre that flourished at Rome during the late Republic and early Empire. More personal in its style than the grand narratives of epic, love elegy focuses on steamy extra-marital affairs, seduction techniques, and the social roles of men and women. This module examines, in English translation, selections from Catullus, Tibullus, Propertius, and Ovid. Through close reading of these texts, we shall discuss the conventions and development of love elegy as a poetic genre, as well as addressing its themes of gender, sexuality, loss, violence, poetic persona, and urban sophistication. A common trait of Roman love poetry is the provocative stance it adopts towards conventional morality, especially in the wake of the Emperor Augustus¿ marriage reforms. In order to evaluate such political and social engagement, this module will situate love elegy carefully within its historical context, and consider the possible implications of its rebellious worldview.

• CLD301 Extended Research Project in Classics, Ancient History and Egyptology

  The research project will be the defining feature of your final year. This module is your chance to take the lead: design your own research project, explore it in depth over several months, and produce a substantial piece of original work. You can choose your topic freely, in consultation with a member of academic staff, ensuring it aligns with Classical Studies, Ancient History or Egyptology, and available resources. As your main coursework for this module, you can produce a dissertation of up to 10 000 words, but you can also propose another type of output which engages with the ancient world and is based on research. Throughout the process, you¿ll develop essential skills in independent research: ¿ Finding and evaluating sources ¿ Engaging with scholarly debates ¿ Structuring a long-form academic argument ¿ Managing your time and progress effectively ¿ Communicating your research in a format designed for a specific purpose and audience. There will be plenty of support throughout the year: each student is assigned a supervisor who will offer tailored guidance and feedback. You¿ll also attend support sessions to help you stay on track and sharpen your research and writing skills. By the end, you will present the results of your research, for example: ¿ A dissertation ¿ A podcast ¿ A video documentary ¿ A website or digital resource ¿ A museum project with appropriate documentation ¿ A creative work in an appropriate format. Plans for outputs other than a dissertation should be discussed with a prospective supervisor by the end of the previous academic year.

• CLG125 Further Greek 1

  This module is for those who have previously studied Ancient Greek to A-Level or equivalent and want to continue to a higher level of attainment.

• CLG225 Further Greek 1

  This module follows on from the Level 4 module CLG106, Intermediate Greek 2. You should take this module if you have taken CLG106 and want to continue with learning Greek in your final year. Only in exceptional cases will the Department allow you to enrol on this module if you have not taken CLG106.

• CLG227 Advanced Greek 1

  For students who have completed Further Greek 1 & 2 in Year 1. Practicing ancient Greek language and interpretative skills at an advanced level through the study of one or more texts, normally prose, in the original language.

• CLG325 Further Greek 1

  This module follows on from the Level 5 module CLG204, Intermediate Greek 2. You should take this module if you have taken CLG204 and want to continue with learning Greek in your final year. Only in exceptional cases will the Department allow you to enrol on this module if you have not taken CLG204.

• CLG327 Advanced Greek 1

  For students who have completed Further Greek 1 & 2 in Year 2. Practicing ancient Greek language and interpretative skills at an advanced level through the study of one or more texts, normally prose, in the original language.

• CLG329 Advanced Greek 3

  For students who have completed Advanced Greek 1 & 2 in Year 2. Practicing ancient Greek language and interpretative skills at an advanced level through the study of one or more texts, normally prose, in the original language.

• CLL125 Further Latin 1

  This module is for those who have previously studied Latin to A-Level or equivalent and want to continue to a higher level of attainment.

• CLL225 Further Latin 1

  This module follows on from the Level 4 module CLL106, Intermediate Latin 2. You should take this module if you have taken CLL106 and want to continue with learning Latin in your final year. Only in exceptional cases will the Department allow you to enrol on this module if you have not taken CLL106.

• CLL227 Advanced Latin 1

  For students who have completed Further Latin 1 & 2 in Year 1. Practicing ancient Latin language and interpretative skills at an advanced level through the study of one or more texts, normally prose, in the original language.

• CLL325 Further Latin 1

  This module follows on from the Level 5 module CLL204, Intermediate Latin 2. You should take this module if you have taken CLL204 and want to continue with learning Latin in your final year. Only in exceptional cases will the Department allow you to enrol on this module if you have not taken CLL204.

• CLL327 Advanced Latin 1

  For students who have completed Further Latin 1 & 2 in Year 2. Practicing ancient Latin language and interpretative skills at an advanced level through the study of one or more texts, normally prose, in the original language.

• CLL329 Advanced Latin 3

  Two hours of reading one or more Latin texts, normally prose; directed independent reading of a related Latin text. For students who have completed Advanced Latin 1 & 2 in Year 2. Practicing ancient Latin language and interpretative skills at an advanced level through the study of one or more texts, normally prose, in the original language.

Ian would welcome any enquiries from prospective students, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, who are interested in any topics on this page, or Latin literature generally. As Admissions Tutor for Classics, Ancient History, and Egyptology, he’s keen to recruit students of all backgrounds who are interested in the ancient world, and to promote our engagement, outreach, and provision of opportunities.