GRE4110 – History of the Greek language

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

The course treats the history of the Greek language in Antiquity, from Bronze Age Mycenaean to the Koiné of Hellenistic times and Late Antiquity until the Byzantine and the Modern Period. The Greek dialects and the use of language in various literary genres (epic, drama, etc.) are also treated. Aside from the study of Greek texts from various linguistic periods, students will also gain deeper insight into the specifics of historical linguistics as a research area.

Learning outcome

Having completed this course, you will be able to:

  • recognize typical features and stages in the development of the Greek language.
  • identify Greek dialects.
  • be familiar with the language of various genres of Greek literature.
  • read, understand and evaluate critical reading in the area of historical linguistics.
  • draft, explore and answer research questions in Greek historical linguistics.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester?register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.

You must be admitted to Classical Studies (master) to sign up for this course. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO,?please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Specialization (80 ECTS credits) in Ancient Greek at the Bachelor's level.

Overlapping courses

Teaching

14 two-hour seminars.

We expect you to prepare for the seminars and to participate actively.

NB: If no more than two students sign up for the course, the teaching may be given as supervised reading.?

In order for you to be allowed to sit for the final examination,?the following compulsory tuition activities must be approved by the teacher:

  • oral presentation in class of an ancient Greek text from the perspective of language history
  • submission of a draft of the seminar paper (maximum 2 pages, 2300 characters pr page)

The draft of the seminar paper is valid only for the semester in which t has been approved. Approved oral presentation is valid also for the next two semesters in which the course is offered.

Examination

Seminar paper of a total of 10-15 pages, 2300 characters each (without spaces; title page and reference list not included).

You submit your assignment in the digital examination system Inspera. You must familiarize yourself with Inspera before the submission deadline.?Read about how to submit your assignment in Inspera.

In order for you to be allowed to sit for the exam, all compulsory tuition activities must be approved by the teacher.

Examination support material

You are required to familiarize yourself with the rules for sources and citations. It may be considered cheating or attempted cheating to use other people's material without informing about it.

Language of examination

You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English. If you would prefer to have the exam text in English, you may apply to the course administrators.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail.?Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) May 19, 2025 9:43:16 PM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
10
Teaching

The course is offered on an irregular basis.

Examination
Autumn
Teaching language
Norwegian (English on request)

Contact

Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas