BA Ancient History

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Advanced Greek Language 3

Course unit fact file
Unit code CAHE30320
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 CLAH30220 Advanced Greek 2 to the next level. It involves (a) the accurate translation and linguistic comprehension of three set texts (two in verse and one in prose); (b) practice in unprepared translation from Greek into English.

Pre/co-requisites

Pre/Co/Antirequisite units

Completion (with a mark of at least 40%) of CAHE30220 Advanced Greek 2. Students who have achieved marks below 40% in CAHE30220 Advanced Greek 2 are not permitted to proceed to CAHE30320 Advanced Greek 3. A COMPENSATED FAIL at Advanced 2 IS NOT SUFFICIENT. 

 

 

Aims

To continue the study of Greek language acquired at CLAH30220 Advanced Greek 2, developing skills of reading a wider range of authors (in prose and verse), 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 extensive selections from three Greek set texts, one prose and two verse;
  • translate passages from the set text unaided;
  • demonstrate a deeper understanding of Greek grammar;
  • increased knowledge of the Greek canon.

Intellectual skills

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

  • demonstrate increased capacity to translate unseen passages of Greek into English, with reduced assistance.

Practical skills

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

  • 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;
  • problem solving.

 

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%
End-of-year exam 70%

 

Feedback methods

Feedback method

Formative or Summative

Written feedback on fortnightly homework exercises

 

Formative

Written feedback on summative assessment (mid-year exam)

 

Formative & Summative

Additional one-to-one feedback (during the consultation hour or by making an appointment).

 

Formative

 

Recommended reading

The course text used for prose composition is Writing Greek, by S. Anderson, J. Taylor (Bristol Classical Press). It may also be useful to have a copy of the following (for English into Greek exercises): Pocket Oxford Classical Greek Dictionary, ed. J. Morwood, J. Taylor (Oxford University Press). Access to a reliable Greek grammar, such as J. Morwood’s Oxford Grammar of Classical Greek (Oxford University Press), is also essential.

The set texts are fixed on a rotating basis by the Dept according to a set syllabus, from which no variation is permitted. The precise texts will be confirmed before the start of teaching in every year. Advanced Greek 3 students read the third text independently of the Advanced Greek 2 students.

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Practical classes & workshops 33
Independent study hours
Independent study 167

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Christian Laes Unit coordinator

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