Greek

Our course enables complete beginners to learn ancient Greek and prepares you to study a range of works penned by authors such as: Homer, Euripides, Sophocles, Plato, Herodotus, Xenophon and Thucydides. We emphasise building the skills and vocabulary necessary for you to translate, understand and analyse ancient texts, and to examine their meanings within their wider cultural and historical contexts. This process also invites you to reflect on the nature and function of language and how we communicate.

Greek is delivered through small-group classes that afford you the time and space to practise and develop your grammar and translation skills. Alongside learning the language and the significance of the ideas within the texts, you will be introduced to aspects of ancient Greek history and culture. This can be enhanced by selecting modules in Greek and Roman Civilisation, taught in translation. Assessments include exams, essays, commentaries, reflective exercises and take-home work. You do not need to have previously studied Ancient Greek, to register for this programme. Upon successful completion of the degree you also will be prepared to teach ancient Greek to others and undertake research on these texts.

First Year

Modules provide you with key grammar, reading and translation skills: Greek Language I • Greek Language II. Complementary modules in Greek and Roman Civilisation include: • Lost Cities of the Ancient World • Classical Myth • Classical Greece

Second Year

Develop your understanding of Greek by completing the basics of grammar and moving on to translating original, unadapted texts: Intermediate Greek • Introduction to Greek texts. Complementary modules in Greek and Roman Civilisation include: • Greek Religion & Sacred Places • Alexander and his Successors • The Athenian Empire • Greeks, Romans, and Barbarians

Students may also choose to participate in a 10-day study tour to Greece for academic credit.

Final Year

Engage with different genres of Greek texts in depth, including works by: • Homer • Sophocles • Euripides • Plato • Xenophon • Herodotus •Thucydides. Complementary modules in Greek and Roman Civilisation include: • Sparta • Family Life in Ancient Greece • Magic in the Ancient World • Eating and Drinking in Classical Antiquity • Death and the Afterlife

Students will have access to both EU and non-EU destinations through a comprehensive suite of international courses, including Erasmus, Erasmus+, and the various study abroad and partnership arrangements that UCD has established with universities across the globe. Examples of partner institutions include: University of Zadar (Croatia); Aarhus Universitet (Denmark); University of Athens (Greece).

You can continue your study of the ancient world at UCD with our taught MA in Classics and specialise further with a research degree – MLitt or PhD.

Our graduates have highly-valued skills such as research, analysis, and communication that allow them to pursue a wide range of careers, such as journalism, broadcasting, teaching, law, business, non-profit sector, marketing, cultural heritage, archaeology, civil service, and IT.

• Level 5/6 QQI-FET


• Open Learning Entry Route


• Mature Entry Route


• DARE Entry Route


• HEAR Entry Route


• University Access