Greek (Ancient)

Ancient Greek is taught by the Department of Classics and Ancient History within the School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry (SOPHI).

The department of Classics and Ancient History offers three separate majors in ancient world studies: Ancient History, which has a history-centred disciplinary approach to the ancient world; and Latin and Ancient Greek, language-based majors which allow for progression from complete beginners to an advanced mastery of the language and literature. Students are encouraged to supplement the focus of their particular major by drawing on the wide range of units of study available within the department (and in related departments, such as Archaeology and Philosophy) to build an Arts degree with a deep, cross-disciplinary grounding in the ancient world.

The study of Ancient Greek focuses mostly on Classical Greek, with some coverage also of the post-Classical period and biblical Greek. Initial emphasis is placed on mastery of the language, and study of the literature and other aspects of Greek culture is approached primarily through the reading of texts, but the more advanced units provide an opportunity for study in greater depth of core subject areas within Greek language, literature, history, philosophy, culture and religion. The elementary unit also provides a suitable foundation for those who wish to read the New Testament.

The department offers a full range of units in Greek for both the pass and the honours degrees.

The Greek 1600 units of study assume no previous study of Greek and aim to provide students with basic knowledge of the language. Those who have achieved the appropriate level of Ancient Greek at the HSC or equivalent examination will be granted senior status and be admitted to Greek 2600. 3600 level units focus on texts which cover literary genres and features of language or society. These are intended to prepare students for more advanced work and are prerequisites for entry into Greek IV honours.

Honours in Ancient Greek
Qualifying for Honours
If you are considering an honours year in Ancient Greek, it is best to seek early advice on all the pathways open to you and the skills you will need to do your best. Our formal prerequisites are a credit or better average in 42 senior credit points of Greek including two of GRKA3603, 3604, 3605, 3606 plus 6 additional senior credit points of Greek, Latin, or Ancient History. The Honours Coordinator can advise you on acceptable equivalents to our standard requirements.

Undertaking Honours
An extra year of Greek allows students to specialise in a particular field and to write a major piece of research. The honours year can be the culmination of your study of Greek or a pathway to further research in our postgraduate program (though in this case you should also consider doing at least two years of Latin). Our program consists of two seminars, an unseen translation exam and a thesis of 15,000 words on a topic decided by you in consultation with your supervisor.

Full details of the program, its prerequisites and its relationship to other majors taught by the department may be found on the departmental website at sydney.edu.au/arts/classics_ancient_history

Honours in Classics (joint Greek and Latin)
Qualifying for Honours
If you are considering an Honours year in Classics it is best to seek early advice on all the pathways open to you and the skills you will need to do your best. Our formal prerequisites are EITHER credit average in 36 senior credit points of Latin including two of LATN3603, 3604, 3605, 3606 plus 18 additional senior credit points of Greek OR credit average in 36 senior credit points of Greek including two of GRKA3603, 3604, 3605, 3606 plus 18 additional senior credit points of Latin. The Honours Coordinator can advise you on acceptable equivalents to our standard requirements.

Undertaking Honours
An extra year of Classics allows students to specialise in a particular field and to write a major piece of research. The Honours year can be the culmination of your study of Classics or a pathway to further research. Our program consists of two seminars, an unseen translation exam and a thesis of 15,000 words on a topic decided by you in consultation with your supervisor.

Full details of the program, its prerequisites and its relationship to other majors taught by the department may be found on the Departmental website at sydney.edu.au/arts/classics_ancient_history

Cross-listing (units of study from other subject areas)
Please check the cross-listing schedule located on the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences website.

Contact/further information
Students seeking further information about units of study, or about the books recommended for study, should call at the School office on level 3 of the Quadrangle, phone +61 2 9351 2862 or consult our website at sydney.edu.au/arts/classics_ancient_history.