Course summary

· This is a one-year postgraduate course in Classics (Advanced Diploma) focused on the intensive learning of ancient Greek and Latin. · Students will acquire a sound understanding of these ancient languages: their syntax, vocabulary, and the styles of some major authors. · The course will allow students to broaden their general knowledge of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds through teaching informed by current developments in scholarship and research. · The course will introduce students to tools and resources for further study and research and equip them to use them effectively. · The course will provide opportunities for successful students to apply for research degrees, including our own MPhil and PhD degrees for which there is a requirement to be able to work confidently with evidence in the original ancient languages. · The course bridges a gap between undergraduate degrees in cognate disciplines (History, Philosophy, English, Classical Civilisation) and postgraduate research degrees in Classics. The course will also lead to careers in secondary education, usually via a PGCE, that may involve teaching Greek and/or Latin. Learning Outcomes Knowledge and understanding By the end of the Advanced Diploma, within the constraints of the course (which may focus on a single author, period or topic), students should be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes: • knowledge, abilities and skills in reading Greek and/or Latin to a point where students can tackle independently and with confidence authors of whom they have prior experience. • enhanced understanding of the structure and functioning of the Greek and/or Latin languages. • a command of Greek and/or Latin vocabulary. • familiarity with a range of different kinds of Greek and/or Latin. • experience in reading particular texts and authors that will better equip them for independent reading and research. • understanding of an aspect of Classics in depth and skills of literary, historical, philosophical, art historical, archaeological or philological analysis. Skills and other attributes Critical skills • Knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. • Intellectual skills: intellectual initiative, critical reflection, the ability to identify and solve problems, the ability to assess the meaning and significance of information, analytical and evaluative thinking, estimation of the relevance of information, discriminating between opposing claims, forming judgements on the basis of evidence, the ability to engage in lateral thinking, openness to creative thinking, the ability to marshal information lucidly, coherently and concisely. By the end of the course students should have completed a course of study which could equip them for postgraduate research in Classics. • Communication skills: the ability to marshal arguments lucidly, coherently and concisely, the ability to present material orally in a clear and effective way, including sensitivity to the listener’s perspective, the ability to present written material clearly and appropriately, in good English, and with attention to detail. Practical Skills • Organisational skills: self-direction, self-discipline, the ability to write and think under pressure and to meet deadlines, management of time and resources. • Interpersonal skills: working creatively, flexibly and adaptably with others, formulating and meeting objectives, interacting successfully on a one-to-one basis. • Research skills: bibliographic and lexicographic skills, observational skills, practical skills, writing, note-taking and presentation skills. • Computer literacy: use of word-processing, use of the internet and e-mail, use of online materials for language-learning, searching ancient texts, and analysis morphology.