Module CLAS40430: Ancient Greek for Research

Department: Classics and Ancient History

CLAS40430: Ancient Greek for Research

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Open	4	30	Available in 2026/2027	None	Durham

Pre-requisites

Less than one year of study of Greek as an undergraduate (or equivalent).

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combinations

CLAS40630

Aims

In accordance with the general aims of the MA in Classics, to promote self-motivated study of Ancient Greek as a preliminary to, and as providing an essential tool for, research in the general field of Classics and other disciplines that require knowledge of the language.

Content

Ancient Greek, to the level of knowledge and understanding indicated under 'Subject Knowledge' below.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

The student will by the end of the module have sufficient knowledge of ancient Greek to enable him or her to begin to read original sources in the language with the requisite aids (dictionaries, grammars, commentaries) to hand.

Subject-specific Skills

The student will acquire basic reading skills in ancient Greek.

Key Skills

Students taking this module might have no prior knowledge of an ancient or modern language. The learning of Ancient Greek will allow them to develop their linguistic skills, as well as building their skills as independent researchers.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Teaching will be by regular classes in Michaelmas and Epiphany terms and revision sessions in Easter term. Classes will be structured around reading, formative exercises, and engagement by the teacher with questions and problems raised by the student. The emphasis, as appropriate in a Level 4 module, will be on self-study, guided by the teacher.
Formative assessment will be based on language exercises, of various sorts, and appropriate to the progressive learning of a language, completed on a regular basis throughout the year.
The summative assessment process will test the student's ability to read original sources in the language with the requisite aids (dictionaries, grammars, commentaries) to hand. The process will consist of two online examinations, completed unseen (but with dictionaries, grammars and commentaries as appropriate): the first, which students must complete within a 2-week timeframe, will normally take place at the beginning of Epiphany term and will focus on morphological and linguistic analysis. The second, an online 24-hour exam in the Easter term, will focus on applied analytical and translation skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours	Attendance Monitored
Language Classes	30	An alternating pattern of 1 x 2 hour and 2 x 2 hours classes per fortnight in Michaelmas and Epiphany terms.	2 hours	60	Yes
Revision Classes	3	Three times during the first week of Easter term.	1 hour	3
Preparation and Reading				237
Total				300

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Written Examination	40%	Online Examination	2 hours (Epiphany Term)	100%
Written Examination	60%	Online Examination	2 hours (Easter Term)	100%

Formative Assessment

Regular formative exercises in Michaelmas and Epiphany terms.

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.