James B.

• Oxford, classics and oriental studies
• Oxford/Sussex

I am in my fourth year reading Classics and Oriental Studies (Sanskrit) at Oriel College, Oxford, where I hold an academic scholarship. My strengths lie particularly in language work: I have gained first class marks in every language exam I have sat so far at Oxford, including full marks in both papers of the University's Sanskrit Qualifying Exam. My finals options focus on ancient literature in all three languages, and I intend to carry my passion for my subject further by applying for postgraduate study in the coming academic year.

            The study of ancient literature is reliant upon a thorough understanding of the languages in which the works are written. There is unfortunately no way around this other than rigorously learning grammatical tables, which I emphasise as the foundation of the study of Classics. However, once this has been accomplished to some degree it is equally important to read a variety of different texts to get a feel for how the languages work in practice.     My approach to the actual analysis of a literary work is somewhat different. The most appealing aspect of literature to me is the fact that there is no "right" way of reading a piece of poetry or prose; everyone's interpretation is unique to them, and free discussion (although firmly grounded in the relevant text) must be encouraged. It is absolutely possible for the teacher to learn from the student as well as vice versa when discussing literature, and I hope to be able to facilitate this with my students.

            

            When I am not occupied by reading in and around my degree subjects, I am always keen to read as much literature from other periods and cultures as possible; there is no reason why a 20th-century novel can't influence the way in which you read a Classical text! Otherwise, I play the bassoon in various university orchestras and ensembles and enjoy running, cycling, and squash.