PgDip/PgCert Greek

The Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma in Ancient Greek provide a self-contained period of structured but challenging study for anyone who wishes to pursue their interest in Greek language and literature.

The course leads to a professional qualification in Ancient Greek (which will be of use to teachers, archivists, librarians) as well as the necessary language skills for those planning to study for research degrees in Classical subjects or other disciplines such as Theology, Medieval Studies, or Celtic Studies. The course also provides a pathway into the MA Classics or MA Classical Language and Literature.

It offers students the opportunity to focus exclusively on the acquisition and/or development of a classical language and can be started at beginners, intermediate or advanced level depending on their linguistic ability. Students can also opt to study for a Postgraduate Diploma in Latin.

Aims and Objectives

The PgDip/PgCert in Greek or Latin provides:

1. a self-contained period of structured but challenging study for anyone who wishes to pursue their interest in Greek or Latin language and literature.
2. a professional qualification in Greek or Latin (e.g. for teachers, archivists, librarians).
3. the necessary language skills for those planning to study for research degrees in Classical subjects and at postgraduate level in other disciplines, such as Theology, Medieval Studies, Celtic Studies.
4. a pathway into the MA in Classics or MA in Classical Language and Literature.

The specific objectives of these degree schemes are:

1. To enhance students’ ability to understand and translate Greek or Latin language.
2. To extend students’ knowledge of Greek or Latin literature through the reading of texts.
3. To enhance students’ appreciation of the great richness and variety of the literary heritage of the Greek and/or Roman world.
4. To develop skills of literary criticism.

Key Features

The Postgraduate Diploma in either Greek or Latin is a degree unique to the University and offers students the opportunity to focus exclusively on the acquisition and / or development of a classical language.

The PgDip in Greek or Latin can be started at beginners (pattern A), intermediate (pattern B) or advanced level (pattern C), depending on the student’s linguistic abilities (see Course Outline).  The course transcript given to students at graduation will show which pattern has been followed and what standard has been achieved.  A Medieval Latin module can be taken as part of the PgCert in Latin, substituting this for one of the Advanced modules.

Students take either Greek or Latin.  It is not possible to include both Latin and Greek.  Students can, of course, opt to study first for a PgCert or PgDip in one language and follow this with study of the other.  Alternatively, the MA Classical Language and Literature or the MA Classics is available for those who are interested in studying both classical languages at postgraduate level.

Students choose either a two- or a three-year programme, depending on whether they are able to attend the Summer Workshop, but pattern A, for those starting their chosen language Beginners level, is only available as a three-year programme.

Students usually take up their studies in September.  A second semester start-date may sometimes be possible depending on linguistic abilities.  Students who start their language studies from the very beginning can only begin in September.  Apart from the language modules offered at our summer school and the Medieval Latin module, no language modules are offered during the summer period.  All modules run either from September to December or from February to April.  Modules taken in the first semester are examined in December; modules taken in the second term are examined in May.

The PgDip can be used as a pathway into the MA Classical Language and Literature, the MA Ancient Narrative, or the MA Classics.  Language modules taken at the Summer Workshop in Greek and Latin can be integrated in the programme, but it is also possible to take this degree entirely by distance learning.  The School does not offer modules in prose composition, but classes in this can be taken as an optional extra at our summer workshop .

Students opt to write either a 10,000 word dissertation or take an extra advanced language module for the final 20 credits of their degrees.  Students are expected to display their language skills in their dissertation.  The dissertation option is recommended for those wishing to pursue their postgraduate studies at a higher level.

Further information

Dr James Richardson
j.richardson@tsd.ac.uk

School of Classics