JACT DURHAM GREEK & LATIN SUMMER SCHOOL
COURSES OFFERED
We offer a huge range of courses in both Latin and Greek to cater for all ability and experience. This ranges from absolute beginner to university-level study - and this year, we are delighted to introduce our first Classical Civilisation module focussing on epic poetry and the world of the Homeric Hero! Please read the descriptions of the courses and contact the Director of Studies (Seb.Durham.LGSS@gmail.com) if you aren't sure what would be most appropriate: it's most important for you to pick an option that is both enjoyable and comfortable for you
Please note that at Higher and Advanced levels, it is possible to study half a week of each language, but we would not recommend this at Beginner, Post-Beginner or Intermediate Level
*NEW FOR 2024*
The Homeric Hero
This is a new course aimed at those with no prior knowledge of either Latin or Greek who would nonetheless like an introduction to the culture and literature of the ancient Greek world, and the poems of Homer in particular. This will look at the presentations of the traditional 'hero' in Greek literature, as well as the construction of Greek epic poems in translation
What prior experience should I have?
You do not need to have any experience either of language or Greek literature
What will we study?
An introduction to the Greek alphabet and language blended with a study of The Iliad and The Odyssey in translation
How will I know if this is right for me?
If you would like to study the myths of the ancient Greek world and the stories of its most famous heroes without any prior knowledge of an ancient language, or if you are studying Classical Civilisation or Ancient History at any level, this course would be ideal for you
Beginner's Greek
What prior experience should I have?
None (although it is highly recommended that you familiarise yourself with the alphabet before we start the course as we will go at a fairly quick pace).
How do I know if this is the right level for me?
If you have never studied any Greek before (or perhaps did a bit some time ago) this might be an appropriate level
What texts will I study?
JACT Reading Greek. We will be using both parts: Grammar & Exercises and Text & Vocabulary. We aim to finish Chapter 1 in the course of the week.
What will be expected of me in lessons?
The sessions will involve learning vocabulary and grammar, reading short, basic texts, group work and a couple of informal vocabulary tests with advance warning. There will be plenty of time for revision and individual study in between sessions.
When translating sentences/text, we usually go around the class and take turns to translate each sentence. You will be able to prepare in advance, and may use the reference grammar and running vocabulary as much as you like. There is, however, no obligation for anyone who feels uncomfortable to contribute a sentence.
Beginners Latin
What prior experience should I have?
None.
How do I know if this is the right level for me?
You have never done any Latin before (or you have done a bit but have forgotten!)
What texts will I study?
We will be using the JACT Reading Latin (second edition) books
What will be expected of me in lessons?
We go at a fairly quick pace – the intention is to cover Section 1 in the course of the week! But the small class size means there is also a chance to focus on the bits you want to.
Post-Beginners Greek
What prior experience should I have?
Some prior experience of learning Ancient Greek is required: this should include confident knowledge of
-
the alphabet
-
the definite article
-
the verb endings for present indicative active in omega (eg. ω, εις, ει etc.).
Students should also be willing to work at a faster pace than in the beginner’s class. Please note, if you have previously learned from the American system (which uses Nom, Gen, Dat, Acc for noun declension order) you should be willing to adapt to the English system of Nom, Acc, Gen, Dat. for the duration of this course.
Anyone who has completed a short beginner’s course with either the Reading Greek or the Athenaze texts will have suitable experience, but this is not essential.
How do I know if this is the right level for me?
Post-beginners is essentially aimed at those who have some introductory level of Greek, or those who are returning to the subject after a substantial break and would like a thorough recap.
What texts will I study?
JACT Reading Greek; there will be some rapid revision of Chapter 1, followed by in depth study of Chapters 2-4.
We will aim to cover
-
1st/2nd Declension nouns and being introduction to 3rd
-
Prepositions
-
Personal pronouns
-
The imperative
-
Irregular and middle verbs
What will be expected of me in lessons?
You will be asked to engage actively with the lessons including reading aloud and completing in-class exercises, and to attend with homework exercises prepared to the best of your ability.
Post-Beginners Latin
What prior experience should I have?
You should be familiar with the grammar covered in Book 1 of Reading Latin, including:
-
Present indicative active (incl. imperatives) verbs from conjugations 1-4, plus sum, eō, ferō, volō.
-
1st, 2nd & 3rd declension nouns and adjectives
-
1st & 2nd person pronouns
-
Prepositions: in, ad, ā/ab, ē/ex
-
Interrogatives: quis/quī
-
Common case use, plus the partitive genitive (using nimis, satis, quid) and ablative of description.
We’ll revise all of these grammar points at the beginning of the week, so don’t worry if any of them feel a little rusty; however, it might be a good idea to go over them before the Summer School starts.
How do I know if this is the right level for me?
Post-beginners is essentially aimed at those who have some introductory level of Latin or those who are returning to the subject after a substantial break and would like a thorough recap.
What texts will I study?
We will be using Reading Latin for our textbook. We will work through Section 2: key features include the perfect and future tenses, 4th/5th declension nouns, numerals, deponent verbs, and additional irregulars, pronouns and case uses. After this, we’ll aim to move on to Section 3, which includes comparatives/superlatives, adverbs and participles. The passages in Section 2 are taken from Plautus’ Amphitruō, whilst Section 3 uses various sources to give an overview of Early Roman History.
What will be expected of me in lessons?
You will be asked to engage actively with the lessons including reading aloud and completing in-class exercises, and to attend with homework exercises prepared to the best of your ability.
Intermediate Greek
What prior experience should I have?
You should have studied Greek for a few years or preparing for a GCSE qualification or equivalent.
How do I know if this is the right level for me?
This would be an appropriate challenge for you if you are comfortable recognising standard subordinate clauses and constructions and would appreciate a focus on grammatical constructions, which will include tenses (indicative, active and middle), present optatives, present and aorist participles, infinitives and imperatives (active and middle); the main irregular verbs; adjectives and pronouns; and prepositions. This would be an ideal option if you are currently studying at GCSE level or would like revision of key constructions and grammar; if you would prefer more time reading Greek texts in the original, you may wish to consider Higher Greek.
What texts will I study?
Selections from JACT Reading Greek Sections 6-11, depending on the size and previous experience of the group, along with extracts of Demosthenes, Plato and Herodotus
What will be expected of me in lessons?
In class, we read aloud the Greek passages for study, and you will be asked to take a turn in translating into English. We work collaboratively to elicit and formalise the grammar from the reading passages. In between classes, you will be asked to prepare ahead, translating a reading passage or completing grammar exercises.
Intermediate Latin
What prior experience should I have?
You should have studied Latin for a few years or preparing for a GCSE level qualification or equivalent.
How do I know if this is the right level for me?
You should be comfortable recognising verb forms of all conjugations in the active and passive indicative and subjunctive, be familiar with participles and infinitives, and have come across all the noun declensions and some pronouns. This would be an ideal option if you are currently studying at GCSE level or would like revision of key constructions and grammar; if you would prefer more time reading Latin texts in the original, you may wish to consider Higher Latin.
What texts will I study?
Selections from JACT Reading Latin Sections 5-11, depending on the size and previous experience of the group, along with extracts of Cicero's In Verrem and Ovid's Remedia Amoris
What will be expected of me in lessons?
You will be asked to prepare a short section of text of about 10-15 lines, and study vocabulary at your own time. You will work on more complex constructions and subordinate clauses in the lessons
Higher Greek
What prior experience should I have?
You should be studying Greek at A Level or equivalent
How will I know if this level is right for me?
This would be suitable if you are currently studying Greek at A Level, particularly if translating verse is new to you; Higher Greek is aimed at supporting the transition from Year 12 to Year 13, but would also be appropriate if you have studied Greek previously at A Level in the past. There will be revision of key grammatical components throughout the week, as well as discussion of the context and significance of the text. If you would prefer to read texts at a slightly faster pace without grammatical support and revision, Advanced Greek might be a more suitable level.
What texts will we cover?
Sophocles Antigone and Xenophon Anabasis. Texts and running vocabulary will be provided.
If you opt to study Combined Latin and Greek at Higher level, you will study Euripides Medea and Ovid Heroides 12 (Medea to Jason)
What will be expected of me in sessions?
You will be asked to prepare a section ahead of each hour-long session and then to contribute to the translation and discussion of the text, with translation supported by the group leader. You will be asked to answer questions on key grammar, modelled on A Level-style questions.
Higher Latin
What prior experience should I have?
You should be studying Latin at A Level or equivalent
How will I know if this level is right for me?
This would be suitable if you are currently studying Latin at A Level, particularly if translating verse is new to you; Higher Latin is aimed at supporting the transition from Year 12 to Year 13, but would also be appropriate if you have studied Latin previously at A Level in the past. There will be revision of key grammatical components throughout the week, as well as discussion of the context and significance of the text. If you would prefer to read texts at a slightly faster pace without grammatical support and revision, Advanced Latin might be a more suitable level.
What texts will we cover?
Cicero Pro Caelio 1-32; Ovid Heroides 12 (Medea to Jason) and 4 (Phaedra to Hippolytus). Texts and running vocabulary will be provided.
If you opt to study Combined Latin and Greek at Higher level, you will study Euripides Medea and Ovid Heroides 12 (Medea to Jason)
What will be expected of me in sessions?
You will be asked to prepare a section ahead of each hour-long session and then to contribute to the translation and discussion of the text, with translation supported by the group leader. You will be asked to answer questions on key grammar, modelled on A Level-style questions.
Advanced Greek
What prior experience should I have?
You should have previously studied Greek at A Level, or be studying it at university level or similar
How will I know if this level is right for me?
This would be suitable if you would like to read Greek texts at speed and discuss their context or significance without the need for reviewing grammatical constructions; if you would prefer more grammatical support, Higher Greek might be more appropriate.
What texts will we cover?
Lysias Against Simon; Homer Iliad 3. Texts and running vocabulary will be provided.
What will be expected of me in sessions?
You will be asked to prepare a section of prose or verse text and to engage in translation and discussion; the group leader will prompt but it is expected that the majority of translation will be led by students preparing it in advance.
Advanced Latin