BA Classical Studies

Year of entry: 2023

Course unit details:
Advanced Greek Language 1

Course unit fact file
Unit code CAHE30120
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 3
Teaching period(s) Full year
Offered by Classics, Ancient History & Egyptology
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

This course-unit takes you on from CAHE30162 Intensive Greek 2 or A-level Greek to the next level. It involves (a) consolidation of Greek Grammar and syntax, (b) building of an enhanced vocabulary (c) the accurate translation and linguistic comprehension of one set text. (d) practice in unprepared translation of continuous passages from Greek into English and of sentences from English to Greek.

Pre/co-requisites

Pre-requisite units

Completion (at least 40%) of CAHE30162 Intensive Greek 2 (or A-level Greek or equivalent). Students who have achieved marks below 40% in CAHE30162 Intensive Greek 2 are not permitted to proceed to CAHE30120.

Co-requisite units

Students taking any Advanced Greek course unit are expected to take the linguists version of any Greek literature courses (where they meet the relevant pre-requisites for those course units).

 

Aims

The aims of this course are to continue the study of Greek language acquired at CAHE30162 Intensive Greek 2 (or equivalent), developing skills of reading prose texts, further consolidating knowledge and understanding of vocabulary and grammar, and developing active knowledge of the language, through translation both into and out of Greek.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of this course students will have/be able to:

  • read selections from one Greek prose set text and one verse text;
  • translate passages from the set texts unaided;
  • demonstrate consolidation of an understanding of Greek grammar;
  • demonstrate a deepened understanding of Greek grammar;
  • apply knowledge and understanding in the translation of English sentences and passages into Greek.

Intellectual skills

By the end of this course students will have/be able to:

  • increased their capacity to translate unseen passages of Greek into English, with reduced assistance;
  • show ability in prose composition in the translation of sentences from English to Greek.

Practical skills

By the end of this course students will be able to:

  • make fast and skilful use of language aids, such as dictionaries and grammars.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

By the end of this course students will have/be able to show:

  • self-discipline;
  • organisation;
  • demonstrate problem solving skills.

Employability skills

Other
The course supports the development of a large number of important employment skills, most notably the ability to understand, commit to memory, and successfully deploy the elements of a complex communication system. Conscientious study of an ancient language enhances understanding of English grammatical structures and broadens vocabulary, thereby enhancing the ability to communicate clearly, concisely and eloquently. Students of ancient languages also learn how to extract key elements from complex information and to identify, make sense of, and solve associated problems.

Assessment methods

Mid-year exam 30%
Exam 70%

 

Feedback methods

  • Written feedback on fortnightly homework exercises;
  • Written feedback on formative and summative assessment (see above);
  • Additional one-to-one feedback (during the consultation hour or by making an appointment).

Recommended reading

  • J. Taylor, Greek beyond GCSE (2nd edition, Bloomsbury 2017)
  • J. Morwood Oxford Grammar of Classical Greek (OUP 2001) and a good Greek-English Lexicon, e.g. H. Liddell and R. Scott, Abridged Greek Lexicon (Oxford 1963)

Set texts for this course vary from year to year, and will be announced before the start of the course each year.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Practical classes & workshops 44
Independent study hours
Independent study 156

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Emma Griffiths Unit coordinator

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