School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry

The School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry (SOPHI), in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, is home to the Departments of Archaeology, Classics and Ancient History, Gender and Cultural Studies, History and Philosophy. Our aim is to be one of the leading centres for teaching and research in the humanities in Australia and the world. Our academic staff include some of the most eminent scholars in our disciplines in the world, along with an exciting array of early and mid career researchers working at the cutting edge of their fields. We believe strongly in the close relationship between excellence in research and high quality teaching. Our undergraduate and postgraduate students are taught by staff who are making major contributions to the field, and our staff benefit enormously from working with the exceptional students we attract to our courses and programs.

If you are thinking of extending your studies or returning to university after some time away, SOPHI offers a wide array of postgraduate coursework programs and units of study, as well as research supervision at MA, MPhil and PhD. Visit the pages on our website and learn more about our highly accomplished researchers and teachers and about the many possibilities for study in the School and the Faculty.

Latest News

• Sydney Writers' Festival -- William Dalrymple: Return of a King

  

  Dr Richard Miles from the Department of Classics and Ancient History History, will chair a session with Richard Dalrymple Sydney Writers' Festival event on Thursday 23 May (1-2pm)

• Sydney Writers' Festival -- Ancient Classics: A Contemporary View

  

  Dr Alastair Blanshard, from the Department of Classics and Ancient History, shares his thoughts on the question 'What the Classics Teach Us' ahead of his Sydney Writers' Festival event next Saturday 25 May.

• The Quarantine Project

  

  The Quarantine Project is a collaborative research initiative based around the former Quarantine Station at Sydney’s North Head. Uniting archaeologists, historians and heritage experts, we are documenting the many rock carvings and other markings made at the site through its 150 years of operation from 1835 to 1984. There are well over 1000 such inscriptions in the sandstone, each serving as an enduring ‘postcard’ connecting modern visitors to stories from the past. Many of these stories - of people, journeys, diseases and incarceration - will be analysed and shared via our research.

  Watch out for the upcoming story on The Quarantine Project on the ABC's 7:30 Report!

• Prof. Mike Parker-Pearson -- Stonehenge: new discoveries

  

  5-7, Monday May 27 2013
  Old Geology Lecture Theatre
  Edgeworth David Building A11
  Science Road
  University of Sydney