Latin and Greek were the mainstay of education in Ireland and the UK until as recently as 30 years ago when it was decided to drop Latin as a University entrance requirement. As a result, the teaching of the languages in second level schools declined and beginners' courses were introduced at University level. Few students, therefore, outside and sometimes even within the discipline of Classics itself, have the time to acquire more than a passing knowledge of the languages.
The UCC Summer School was established in 1999 in order to alleviate this situation. The course is highly intensive, offering nearly two years of instruction over an 8 week period. It is aimed primarily at postgraduates in any discipline who require knowledge of either language for further study. In previous Summer Schools we have attracted students from a wonderfully diverse number of disciplines: Classics, Archaeology, History, English, German, History and Philosophy of Science, Philosophy and Theology. They have also come from all over the world (Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, The Philippines, Spain, Sri Lanka, UK, USA).
The course is also aimed at schoolteachers whose schools wish to reintroduce Latin and Greek into their curriculum. Two Irish schoolteachers who completed the programme in recent years have already had success in this area and we hope that more will follow.
The Summer School was awarded the European Label for Innovative and Creative Language Teaching and Learning in 2004 by the Linguistics Institute of Ireland on behalf of the European Commission. The jurors were "impressed by the planning, energy and dedication which is being invested to ensure the success of such an intensive language learning module" and that we "have succeeded in making the UCC course exemplary at an international level" due to "the vision and professionalism" of all involved. For more information about what is behind this award see www.leargas.ie/education/lingua/ell.html . The €1000 prize money was given in the form of bursaries to students in need of financial aid.
Dr Konstantin Doulamis, Director and Greek teacher
Ms Vicky Janssens, Administrator and Latin teacher
Parallel programmes are offered in Latin and Greek and both start from scratch, with the assumption that students have no prior experience in either language. The 8 weeks actually comprise 3 separate modules.
In Latin:
In Greek:
In each language 6 weeks will be spent completing the basic grammar. Classes occupy the mornings 6 days a week (9:30am-1pm MWF, 10:00am to 12:30pm TThS, with a half-hour coffee break each day). Weekly tests will be held on Saturdays. It is essential to complete and pass these to gain credit.
During the last two weeks classes are from 9:30am to 1:00pm (with a half-hour coffee break) for 8 days (Monday to Friday and the following Monday to Wednesday) and the final exam will be on the morning of the last Thursday.
For the whole 8 weeks, afternoons are left free to allow for absorption of material and to complete homework assignments for the following day, and staff are always on hand for consultation. Though classes are only held in the morning the course is very demanding. Students should not expect to be able to hold down a part-time job and complete the course properly.
The basic textbooks for Latin for the first 6 weeks are:
Module 1 (weeks 1-4) will cover Reading Latin sections 1-4; Module 2 (weeks 5-6) will cover Reading Latin section 5. Module 3 (weeks 7-8): text to be announced.
The basic textbooks for Greek for the first 6 weeks are:
Module 1 (weeks 1-4) will cover Reading Greek parts 1-3; Module 2 (weeks 5-6) will cover Reading Greek parts 4-5. Module 3 (weeks 7-8): text to be announced.
In the final two weeks of the course students will read original texts. The aim is to read as much original Greek or Latin as possible while at the same time acquainting the students with the basic tools for translations (dictionaries, grammar books, commentaries, translations, etc.).
Texts in previous years have included Vergil Aeneid 4 and 6 and Livy Book 1 in the Latin class, and Plato's Apology and some of Lysias' speeches in the Greek class.
The full fee for the 8-week course, including accommodation (June 27th to August 19th inclusive) and textbooks is €3200. Payment must be made in euros only (by cash or by cheque). Non-EU students may wish to use electronic bank transfer to accomplish this (details available upon request). Please note that we do not accept credit card payments.
Accommodation will be near the University campus (about 15 minutes on foot), in self-catering 3- to 5-bedroom apartments.
Should you wish to arrange your own accommodation, the tuition fee, including textbooks, is €1950.If you intend to book your own accommodation you may find the following websites useful: www.daft.ie, www.myhome.ie, www.gumtree.ie. You might also want to contact UCC Accommodation (www.ucc.ie/en/asa/)
If you cannot print off the application form a hard copy can be requested by writing to the address below. Unless you require accommodation there is no deadline for the submission of application forms (except if you require a visa) but applications will be dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis. To guarantee a spot applications accompanied by a non-refundable deposit of 10% should be received by April 30, 2010, though please note that in previous years the courses were full well before this date so it is best to apply as early as possible. Full payment must be made before June 1st, 2010.
NOTE:Students requiring a visa must have not only their application and deposit in by April 30, 2010 but also provide evidence of having their visa in hand by this date and have paid the full course fee in order to secure a place on the course.
Schoolteachers in the Republic of Ireland will be able to receive some financial help from the In-Career Development Unit at the Department of Education and Science. For further information phone Anne Maher at (01)8892073
Enquiries about the Summer School should be directed to:
Ms Vicky Janssens, Department of Classics, University College Cork, Ireland
tel +353-21-4903618/2359; fax +353-21-4903277; e-mail v.janssens@ucc.ie
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This page is maintained by K. Doulamis. It was last updated on October 28, 2009.