Ancient Greek: Beginners - Part 1



Overview

This course is intended for beginners but is also suitable for those wishing to refresh their Ancient Greek. It will comprise one weekly, one-hour pre-recorded lecture to be viewed by students in preparation for the weekly tutor-led live session at the advertised time. Students will be encouraged to prepare and study at home.

Using the first sections of the JACT textbook 'Reading Greek', we will start with learning the Greek alphabet before we meet major noun and adjective groups, several types of active verbs, and a number of pronouns.

This course will be reading-based so there will be the opportunity to read extended passages in Greek from the beginning as well as learning the grammatical underpinnings of the language. Through the study of texts and class discussion students will be introduced to aspects of Greek culture and thought.

By the end of the course we will have encountered the major noun and adjective groups, and be familiar with the present tenses of active, middle, and contract verbs, giving you the confidence to translate from English to Greek and Greek to English with ease.

In line with teaching of Ancient Greek in the UK, accents are not a mandatory part of the learning.

Programme details

Courses starts: 3 Oct 2024

Week 1: Alphabet and pronunciation

Week 2: The definite article. First and second declension nouns and adjectives

Week 3: Present active indicative verbs including compound verbs

Week 4: Introduction to contract verbs

Week 5: Imperative mood, vocative case, adverbs

Week 6: Enclitics, particles and more practice with first and second declension nouns

Week 7: Irregular verbs εἰμι and οἰδα

Week 8: The middle voice

Week 9: Final first and second declension noun types; prepositions

Week 10: 3rd declension nouns and pronouns

Textbooks

To participate in the course you will need to buy, or have regular access to, the following books:

JACT      Reading Greek: Grammar and Exercises, Cambridge University Press, 2007

JACT      Reading Greek: Text and Vocabulary, Cambridge University Press, 2007

Please ensure you are able to access copies of any required textbooks prior to enrolling on a course but please keep in mind that courses with insufficient students enrolled will be cancelled. The Department accepts no responsibility for books bought in anticipation of a course running.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £275.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Mrs Elena Vacca

Elena Giulia Vacca is a Classicist specialising in Comparative Literature and Classical Reception in Russian Literature. She lectures in Latin Language at the University of Oxford and is also a Classics tutor for Latin and Classical Greek in City Literary Institute of London. She is currently working on her PhD project at the University of Oxford. She also teaches Italian as a foreign language (L2) in the Italian Cultural Institute of London.

Course aims

The course offers an introduction to ancient Greek which will also draw in elements of Greek culture and some famous names from the Greek literary world. There will be plenty of opportunities to read some adapted Greek and develop confidence in this area. 

Course objectives:

  • To support students in their learning of Attic Greek to understand simple texts.
  • To provide weekly opportunities to practise, consolidate and master the grammar at a sensible pace.
  • To introduce students to aspects of ancient Greek language and culture.

Teaching methods

Online classes combine presentations with discussion and practice. PowerPoint presentations and notes will be provided. Video recordings will introduce vocabulary and review texts as well as grammar. Live online sessions will offer opportunities to read and analyse more texts, practise and discuss translations. 

Learning outcomes

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

  • read short Greek texts out loud;
  • demonstrate a good knowledge of some grammatical forms and vocabulary;
  • analyse and translate short passages from Greek into English and sentences from English into Greek.

Assessment methods

Short written homework tasks including handwriting practice, word and simple sentence translation, gap fill activities, multiple-choice tasks, and translations.

Application

We will close for enrolments 14 days prior to the start date to allow us to complete the course set up. We will email you at that time (14 days before the course begins) with further information and joining instructions. As always, students will want to check spam and junk folders during this period to ensure that these emails are received.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).

Level and demands

No prior knowledge of the language is required. 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support