Bachelor of Arts (BA)

BA Ancient History

Explore the Graeco-Roman world as a historian.
  • Duration: 3 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: V110 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Study with a language

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Course unit details:
Advanced Greek Language 1

Course unit fact file
Unit code CAHE30121
Credit rating 20
Unit level Level 3
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

This course-unit takes you on from previous study of Ancient Greek (A-Level Greek/ Intensive Greek 2 or equivalent) to the next level. It involves (a) consolidation of Greek grammar and syntax, (b) building of an enhanced vocabulary, (c) practice in unprepared translation and linguistic comprehension of continuous passages from Greek into English, and translation of sentences from English into Greek.

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Intensive Greek 2 CAHE30162 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Pre-requisites: CAHE 30162 Intensive Greek 2 (or equivalent) or A-level Ancient Greek. . Students who have achieved marks below 40% in CAHE30162 Intensive Greek 2 are not permitted to proceed to CAHE30120 Advanced Greek 1.

Co-requisites: None.

 

Aims

To continue the study of Greek language acquired at CAHE30162 Intensive Greek 2, 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.

Syllabus

The course-unit comprises grammar classes and unseen translation classes.


a) Grammar Classes
Consolidation and revision of all grammar and syntax, placing an emphasis on translation from English into Greek.
The textbook will be Greek Beyond GCSE  by John Taylor (Bloomsbury, 2017), which is available for purchase in Blackwell and online. Taylor will be supplemented by additional material.
Most grammar classes will begin with a short test (beginning week 2 of the first semester), testing parsing and vocabulary (see course outline below for more information).


b) Translation classes 
The translation classes consolidate grammatical and syntactical points covered in the grammar classes.  
We shall practise unseen translation – passages of Greek to be translated in class without dictionary assistance – throughout the course. 

Teaching and learning methods

• 3 classes per week, covering new grammar, vocabulary and unseen translation.
• 1 dedicated consultation hour per week.
• Blackboard:  course documentation will be available on Blackboard, as will unseens and further background materials such as links to online resources.
Classes will focus on: the consolidation and development of knowledge and understanding of grammar and syntax, unseen translation of Greek passages, and translation of sentences from English into Greek. There will be parsing tests in order to consolidate knowledge of vocabulary and morphology. Weekly written homework, comprising English to Greek and Greek to English, on which written formative feedback will be given. 
Students will have access to online interactive tests for vocabulary, morphology, and syntax.
 

Knowledge and understanding

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

• translate passages from a variety of Greek prose texts unaided;
• demonstrate consolidated understanding of basic Greek grammar and vocabulary;
• demonstrate deepened understanding of more advanced Greek grammar and vocabulary;
• apply knowledge and understanding in the translation of English sentences 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 into 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;
• developed 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

Assessment TaskFormative or SummativeWeighting within unit (if summative)
Homework and preparationFormative 
Mid-semester examSummative30%
ExamSummative70%

Feedback methods

Feedback methodFormative or Summative
Homework commentsWritten formative
Exam commentsSummative and formative
One-to-one feedback in consultation hoursFormative

Recommended reading

The textbook for language learning, which all students are required to buy, is Taylor, J. 2017 Greek Beyond GCSE (2nd ed. 2017) (9781474299756). 

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment practical exam 3
Practical classes & workshops 44
Independent study hours
Independent study 153

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
John Taylor Unit coordinator

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