SUBMISSION
to the
REVIEW OF HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCING AND POLICY
from the
AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR CLASSICAL STUDIES
1. Preamble
1.1 The Australian Society for Classical Studies (ASCS) exists to promote the study of the ancient Greek and Roman world, broadly defined as those lands which either came under the direct rule of Greeks or Romans or had close dealings with these powers. A primary focus is on the ancient languages, Greek and Latin, as embodying the thought and expression of these respective peoples. The historical period concerned is extremely broad, ranging from the origins of human settlement in the Mediterranean area to the breakdown of the Roman Empire around the middle of the sixth century C.E., although the influence of Greek and Roman culture persists well beyond that date up until the present day. Many disciplines are represented within the membership of the Society, including archaeology, history, literature, politics, philology, linguistics, philosophy, theology, history of science and epigraphy. So ingrained is the culture of the ancient Mediterranean world within the fabric of contemporary Australian society that there is scarcely an avenue of human endeavour which is not somehow affected by it.
1.2 The claim of ASCS to make a submission to the Higher Education Review Committee is based on our membership being largely drawn from academics and students within existing university departments concerned with teaching and research in any of the areas outlined in 1.1 above. Historically, these would have been in Departments of "Classics" (i.e. Greek and Latin) but owing to the considerable changes in university education over the last fifty years they are just as likely now to be found in Religious Studies, Archaeology, Ancient History or other discipline areas.
2. A Coherent Policy for the next Two Decades
2.1 Classical Studies as a discipline has much in common with other Arts/Humanities disciplines, and the skills it develops can be encouraged by other language, literary and historical disciplines. Yet it is in the field of classics that there exist the longest established traditions of inculcating excellence in these attributes and arguably the most successful methods.These skills, apart from being valuable in their own right, also equip graduates for a wide range of employment options. These graduates acquire from their training skills in:
as well as a high level of literacy and, increasingly, computer skills. Significantly, the world's first electronic learned journal is produced in Australia, an indication of how widely diffused in the subject the use of information technology is.
2.2 The contribution of Arts/Humanities disciplines to the economic well-being of Australia must be recognised and encouraged. It is this general academic area which fosters study not only of ourselves and our place in the wider world but also of our neighbours. Knowledge of the cultures, languages, and histories of other peoples will promote understanding and cooperation, thus enabling the development of close ties at
whatever level is appropriate. Moreover, the international ties which Arts/Humanities disciplines in Australia have built up over many years have contributed in no small measure to the regard in which Australia is generally held. Any policy developments now which will weaken the Arts/Humanities area will have serious long-term consequences as experienced academics retire (or are shed) and students are deprived of the opportunity to learn from them.
2.3 Arts/Humanities disciplines have an important role to play alongside other disciplines such as Law, Economics and the Social Sciences, all of which to some extent require expertise in foreign languages and knowledge of history and culture. This must be taken into account when the development of a coherent policy is being considered: all areas of the intellectual and academic life of the nation need to be safeguarded.
3. Classical Studies as part of a Coherent Policy
3.1 The languages, literature, philosophy, history and religions of Greece and Rome are the very basis of European culture, from which contemporary Australian culture is essentially derived. A commitment to the principles of multiculturalism demands acknowledgement of our diverse past as well as encouragement of its study. The especial value of the continuing study of the Ancient Mediterranean world is that it provides access to the shared heritage of many contemporary societies. At a time when there is increasing emphasis on recovering and confronting our past as a nation, it is imperative that we know what that past is, and share it with posterity. Australians of European origin are entitled to know about their heritage, just as Australians of other origins are entitled to have access to it, and all Australians benefit from the public good of knowledge of our shared cultural heritage being preserved, passed on and advanced.
3.2 Democracy, citizenship, liberty and other political concepts of concern to contemporary Australia grew out of the political and intellectual life of Greece and Rome. Study of this past encourages awareness of broad political and social issues in a manner which enables people to make informed contributions to contemporary debates.
3.3 The traditional foundation of Classical Studies as a discipline is the study of the languages, Greek and Latin, and without these languages the whole discipline withers. The language of a society embodies the soul of that society and provides the key to its understanding. Access via language to the thought of our European heritage must be maintained, not only because Latin in particular became the medium of European communication for centuries but also because these languages are closely related to contemporary European languages which are widely spoken in the Australian community, such as Greek and Italian. There is also a question of international prestige for Australian universities, since the greatest universities in the European tradition, including those in North America,continue to maintain and indeed promote their excellence as centres of Classical scholarship. A truly great university which lacks Classics in some form is a rarity.
3.4 Australia has a world-wide reputation in Classical Studies earned both by the rigorous scholarship produced here and by the quality of graduates who have gone on to occupy prominent positions in universities overseas. These links are truly international, reaching beyond the traditional ties with Europe and North America to encompass academic cooperation with Classical scholars in Asian countries. Japan, for example, has a strong tradition of studying the European classical past, including the languages, a trend also evident in China.
3.5 Universities play an essential role in the training of teachers for secondary schools throughout the country. In order to maintain the level of professional competence of teachers of subjects such as Ancient History, a school subject particularly strong in number of states, there must be high-level training in the discipline (including the languages) at tertiary institutions.
3.6 The discipline of "Classical Studies" has close ties with other Arts/Humanities disciplines in Australian universities. In many institutions there is cooperation in teaching and a level of mutual academic support between Classical scholars and others,such as historians, philosophers, and archaeologists. If Australia is to develop and implement a coherent policy for universities, we must recognise the diversity which not only exists, but is also essential for the survival of academic life in this country. Moreover, student demand for, and community interest in the area of Ancient world studies is high. Universities have a responsibility both to meet this demand and to provide leadership in the community as a whole.
4. The Future for Classical Studies
4.1ASCS can provide documentation upon growing student interest in Classical Studies around the country, as well as the impressive Australian research profile in this area The primary concern of ASCS is that this level of operation and the ability of teachers and researchers to meet student demand and to satisfy community interest are in danger of being undermined by the implementation of policies which undervalue what the discipline contributes both to the community as a whole and to the academic standing of individual institutions. The Society is extremely concerned about the availability of funding for universities in general, and for Classical Studies in particular, as lack of funding leads to loss of positions and ultimately less choice for students. We believe that public funding must continue to support teaching and research in the common interest, although acknowledging that private contributions have a special role in enhancing or promoting particular academic endeavours, especially in research. Organized bodies of voluntary support such as "Friends", a number of which exist and thrive, can provide incidental assistance, but they cannot undertake the systemic funding of education across the community or of research in Australia's universities.
SUBMISSION
to the
REVIEW OF HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCING AND POLICY
from the
AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR CLASSICAL STUDIES
Summary
This submission:
(1.1) sets out the place of Classical studies in Australia's cultural heritage;
(1.2) speaks on behalf of the 'peak body' of professionals in this area;
(2.1) lists the generic skills inculcated through Classical studies in education;
(2.2) notes the importance to Australia of access to other languages and cultures;
(2.3) draws attention to the place of Classical studies within the fabric of higher education;
(3.1-2) emphasizes the importance of Classics for civic values within a multicultural Australia;
(3.3) insists upon the necessity maintaining the study of ancient languages;
(3.4) points out Australia's reputation in Classics research;
(3.5) draws attention to the need to continue train secondary school teachers in this area;
(3.6) emphasises that Classics must remain amidst the diversity of higher education;
(4.1) asserts the need to maintain adequate public funding for the discipline, noting the marginal role of private support.