External summary

Ancient Greek is the language in which many of the basic concepts underlying Western society to this day have found expression for the first time; and ancient Greek culture and thought are at the root of many strands of modern thinking in Europe and beyond. The study of ancient Greek is not only a valuable pursuit in itself but also informs our views of the world in which we live. The MA in Greek Studies combines both linguistic and philological work as well as the study of a civilisation that utilised this language in a wide range of different contexts (e.g. political, religious, philosophical, etc.) and in different societal niches, i.e. by individuals from different social levels, emphasising the need to appreciate social status and equality in the context of personal and other diversity. In addition to the study of many significant authors and texts from Greece’s classical past, students are moreover afforded the opportunity to read and analysis the writings of authors from the archaic and Hellenistic periods and/or authors writing under Roman rule. To acquire a sound grammatical understanding of ancient Greek, a good knowledge of its vocabulary and the different uses of ancient Greek by different authors as well as an appreciation of the relationship between Greek society and its language and literature are, thus, the central aims of this programme.

Educational aims of programme

The programme aims

• to develop students’ knowledge of ancient Greek, leading to growing fluency, accuracy of comprehension and sensitivity to linguistic nuance
• to develop students’ understanding and critical appreciation of a wide range of ancient Greek, with due attention to its literary, historical and cultural context
• to extend students' study of ancient Greek literature beyond the normal classical limits into the post- classical period
• to enable students to embark on further study and research in the fields of ancient Greek language and literature (classical and post-classical)
• to enable students to teach (after professional training) ancient Greek language and literature at all study levels
• to provide a solid methodological foundation for further research in ancient Greek, or for further study and research in the Arts and Humanities
• to develop the general critical, analytical and communicative skills which prepare students for vocational training, for a wide variety of employment opportunities, and for continued life-long learning

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

Graduates from the MA in Greek Studies will possess and demonstrate

• a sound grasp of ancient Greek grammar and vocabulary
• a good knowledge of ancient Greek syntax and its similarities to and differences from the syntax of the English language
• an acquaintance with the major genres of ancient Greek literature and with the linguistic and literary conventions of these genres
• a sensitivity of a range of different styles in prose and verse
• an understanding and critical appreciation of the thoughts, beliefs, ideas and concepts of ancient Greek authors (literary, historiographic, philosophic, rhetorical, didactic, etc.) in their social, political and historical contexts
• an understanding of ideas and patterns of thought current in the ancient Greek world
• an awareness of historical and social concepts pertaining to the use of ancient Greek, and of continuities with and differences from the archaic and classical periods in the later Hellenistic and Roman periods
• an understanding both of the modern preconceptions with which students approach classical antiquity and of the various traditions of classical scholarship

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

Graduates from the MA in Greek Studies will possess and demonstrate

• an ability to apply linguistic and philological knowledge in the close reading and interpretation of ancient Greek texts
• an ability to analyse philological and linguistic problems, compare and evaluate different views and formulate independent and well-argued hypotheses
• an ability to analyse and comment on the thoughts, beliefs, ideas and concepts of ancient authors with due consideration of their social, political and historical contexts and of pertinent secondary literature
• an ability to comment on the major genres of ancient Greek literature and on the linguistic and literary conventions of these genres as well as on a range of different styles in prose and verse
• an ability to think creatively and imaginatively about ancient Greek and ancient Greek literature in the setting and pursuit of own research agendas

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

Graduates from the MA in Greek Studies will possess and demonstrate

• an ability to appreciate linguistic, literary and cultural difference in the use (and users) of ancient Greek
• an ability to analyse and explain, on the example of ancient Greek, how language influences modes of expression and thought
• an ability to compare different literary styles and linguistic choices through the study of a range of ancient Greek authors and texts
• an ability to gather and evaluate complex and variegated data, and to organise this into complex and lengthy arguments of either (or both) a linguistic or philological nature
• an ability to exercise informed critical judgement regarding the study of ancient Greek and ancient Greek literature
• an ability to reflect on own language use through comparison with the ancient use and usages of Greek
• an ability to reflect on the influence of ancient Greek on the development of modern languages
• an ability to reflect on the influence of ancient Greek literature and ancient Greek culture on the development of modern literatures and cultures

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

Graduates from the MA in Greek Studies will possess and demonstrate

• an ability to make effective use of oral, written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding
• an ability to marshal argument lucidly, coherently and concisely, be it in writing or in speaking
• an ability to think on their feet when presented with unexpected and/or unusual linguistic problems, questions or topics and to propose remedies and answers in a clear and persuasive manner
• an ability to present one’s views in collaboration with others, both in group discussion and in joint presentations
• an ability to present lucidly the results of investigation to specialists and non-specialists alike, orally or in written form

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

Graduates from the MA in Greek Studies will possess and demonstrate

• an ability to work independently and investigate purposefully
• an ability to approach intellectual challenges with academic rigour and mental agility
• an ability to think under pressure when addressing often difficult questions
• an ability to manage and meet firm deadlines and to organise their own learning and workload to that effect
• an ability to contribute to wider debates and issues on the basis of their knowledge and understanding of the ancient world that shows a high level of social responsibility
• an ability to collaborate effectively with others, including peers and academic seniors such as tutors and lecturers, capitalising on diversities of thinking, experience and skills in ways that value personal difference

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

Graduates from the MA in Greek Studies will possess and demonstrate

• a command of bibliographical and library research skills, as well as a range of skills in reading and textual analysis
• an ability to employ a range of electronic resources and presentation aids, and means of electronic communication (e.g. electronic databases, powerpoint, wikis, etc.)

Programme structure and features

a) Modes of study: the standard mode of study for the MA in Greek Studies is full-time.

b) Programme-specific entry, typical programme structure and progression requirements:

• The programme is open to total beginners in ancient Greek as well as to students who have already attained some knowledge of Greek.
• First-year Greek is taught in two different streams to take account of the students’ previous linguistic attainment: absolute beginners take Greek 1a (1st semester) and Latin 1b (2nd semester), while those who already have a secure knowledge of the language take Greek 1c (1st semester) and Greek 1d (2nd semester). [Students in 1c and 1d read the same texts and attend classes with those in 2a and 2b (see below), but have separate and different tutorials and examinations.]
• In second year, both streams converge to Greek 2a (1st semester) and Greek 2b (2nd semester).
• A pass at 40% is required in the first-year courses in Greek to progress to the second-year courses. And a pass at 50% (at first attempt) is required in the second-year courses to progress to Honours in Greek Studies.
• In addition to their courses in Greek, students are required to take in both Year 1 and Year 2, a further 80 credits: in Year 1, 40 of the 80 credits are recommended to come from 'The Greek World 1A: Greece in the Making' and 'The Greek World 1B: Greece's New Horizons', or 'Latin 1A' and 'Latin 1B', or 'Latin 1C' and 'Latin 1D'; in Year 2, all of the 80 further credits are subject to student choice.  Course(s) in second year must follow on from courses already passed in first year in the sense defined in the College Regulations.
• At Honours level, students are required to take in each of the two Honours years 120 credits. In Year 3, 20 credits must be from ‘Greek Language A’, and at least 40 credits from Honours courses in Greek. In Year 4, 20 credits must come from ‘Greek language B’, a further 40 credits from Honours courses in Greek, and 40 credits from the Dissertation.
• Assessment in the MA in Greek Studies typically involves a combination of coursework and examinations. Full information on the programme and course specific learning outcomes and assessment practices are laid out clearly in the Classics Sub-Honours Handbook, the Classics Honours Handbook, and in specific course booklets available for each course of this programme.
• The range of possibilities in Years 1 and 2 enables sideways movement into and out of this particular programme as the student's preferences and aptitudes emerge, and it provides different contexts and insights which are valuable for more advanced study of Classics.

c) SQCF credit points: courses at 1st and 2nd year level are at SQCF credit level 8; courses at Honours level are at SQCF credit level 10.

d) Exit awards: the MA in Greek Studies (Honours) is the typical exit award for the programme after a normal study period of four years. Students who fail to progress into Honours or who experience difficulties with the completion of their Honours programme might be able to move to a general BA in the CAHSS subject to a number of conditions as laid out from time to time by CAHSS.

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Teaching and Learning strategies employed at the University of Edinburgh consist of a variety of different methods appropriate to the programme aims. The graduate attributes listed above are met through a teaching and learning framework (detailed below) which is appropriate to the level and content of the course.

Teaching and Learning Activities

Specific activities will vary with course options taken, but may include:

In Year 1 (for core courses)

• Lectures
• Tutorials

In Year 2 (for core courses)

• Lectures
• Tutorials

In Year 3

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Groupwork

In Year 4

• Research Project
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Groupwork

Assessment methods and strategies

Courses can be assessed by a diverse range of methods and often takes the form of formative work which provides the student with on-going feedback as well as summative assessment which is submitted for credit.

Various assessment methods are used dependent on course options taken, but may include:

In Year 1 (for core courses)

• Essays
• Coursework
• Class tests
• Written Examinations

In Year 2 (for core courses)

• Essays
• Coursework
• Class tests
• Written Examinations

In Year 3

• Essays
• Written Examinations
• Class tests
• Seminar Presentations/Assignments
• Group Exercise

In Year 4

• Dissertation
• Essays
• Written Examinations
• Class tests
• Seminar Presentations/Assignments
• Group Exercise

Career opportunities

Classics graduates often progress to further study or careers in academia, teaching and museum work. Previous graduates have also gone on to work in law, accountancy, finance, IT, publishing or the Civil Service.

Other items

Students on all the Classics degrees can do a non-compulsory year abroad in their third year, through ERASMUS or International Exchange.