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Module

CAG1011 : Intermediate Greek Language and Literature Part 1

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Nick Freer
  • Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

The module aims to:
Develop and consolidate knowledge of Greek grammar, vocabulary and style.
Train students in the detailed study of Greek verse and prose texts, at the level appropriate to the "post-beginners" / "post-A-level" knowledge of the language which they have acquired or are acquiring.

The overall aim of both modules is to allow you to engage with what Greek authors wrote in their own words, and to introduce you to the study of Greek literary texts in the original. CAG1011, taught in the first half of the year, continues the training offered in CAG1002, adding to your knowledge of classical Greek vocabulary and grammar and aiming to bring that knowledge up to a level where you can tackle original Greek texts without relying on a published translation. At the same time you will continue to practice skills of literary analysis, applied to details both of a set original Greek text and unseen passages studied alongside their English translation, and of simpler passages which you translate for yourself. You will be introduced to the basic instruments of philological analysis (e.g., lexica, grammar books, works on particles, syntax, commentaries etc.), as well as to the critical engagement with secondary literature.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module begins by completing the textbook from where CAG1002 left off and then introduces students to a relatively straight-forward Attic prose text in order to consolidate the material taught in CAG1001, CAG1002 and the first weeks of CAG1011.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion681:0068:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading991:0099:00Three hours of preparation for each session.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching331:0033:00Small group teaching
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Language classes, with a large element of teacher-student interaction, are the best way to combine the imparting of (grammatical and other) knowledge with the hands-on training in linguistic and literary skills.

In the first weeks of the module, new linguistic material will be introduced. Once the textbook material has been covered, we will move to translating and discussing an Attic prose text during the synchronous teaching hours. The grammatical and syntactical phenomena taught in the Beginners' sequence (and in the first weeks of CAG1011) will be reviewed throughout the module's duration in the form of structured learning activities (e.g. weekly tests or other exercises). We will also read select scholarly pieces on the set text and will practise reflecting critically on its application on the text.

The small classes introduce, explain, demonstrate and give students the opportunity to apply, under guidance,
• the further knowledge of the Greek language; and
• the approach to analysing Greek literary texts which the module aims to instil. This may involve the study of one selected literary text (or of a suitable proportion of such), or of a small range of text excerpts from different genres.
In private study, students:
• consolidate knowledge imparted in the taught classes,
• further practise applying that knowledge to set tasks of language and literary analysis and of translation, and
• learn to use their language skills to think in analytical and constructive ways about original Greek texts.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination901A70N/A
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise1M30Weekly tests
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Written exercise1MShort exercises to be completed in physical or on-line format.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Written examination is still inevitably the best way of testing students' assimilation of linguistic knowledge and skills, and translation skills including in unseen texts.


The tests ensure students’ constant review of the material covered in the previous week, and allow the instructor to detect difficulties early on in the semester and provide students with constant feedback on their progress.

The short exercises help students review and consolidate the material introduced to them in the previous session.

Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.

This module cannot be made available to Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students under any circumstances.

Reading Lists

Timetable