Bachelor of Arts Honours in Classical Culture

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with

Practical Competence: The learner should be able to demonstrate his/her ability in the following skills, and to demonstrate informed decisions, based on these skills: research skills applied to the study of secondary sources (Greek and Latin texts in translation).

Foundational Competence: The learner should be able to demonstrate understanding of: foundational competencies, referring especially to skills of interpreting poetical, rhetorical and prose texts, as well as works of art.

Reflexive Competence: The learner should demonstrate the following abilities: reflective competencies, enabling the student to apply knowledge to contexts (for example, the social function of literary and visual artefacts).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

All potential learners who claim to have achieved the entrance level of this qualification through experience need to apply to the Accreditation Committee of the Faculty of Arts. Recognition will be made according to the Faculty's prescriptions and guidelines.

Potential learners who want to be credited for prior learning and/or for a particular module or modules, need to apply (in writing) to the Departmental Chairperson of the department which offers the module or modules for which the learners wish to be credited, clearly stating the title(s) of the module or modules they want to be credited for, as well as the basis on which they believe the accreditation should be granted.

The principles of RPL are subscribed to, and will be implemented in, a flexible manner. The principle of flexible and open access will, however, be offset against the provision that this is not to be the detriment of the potential student, and that his/her chance to succeed must be reasonable.

The Committee will assess learners' competencies in order to determine whether they are eligible for: a) access to, b) advanced placement in, or c) recognition of status for, this qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Arts with Greek, Modern Greek or Classical Culture, NQF Level 7.

The learner should be able to

1. Reflect on problems regarding the interpretation of texts and artefacts, and be able to make a well-founded choice.
2. Participate in teamwork through seminar work and participation in workshops and conferences.
3. Participate in independent research, based on an explicit methodology.
4. Appreciate primary sources, (literary and visual) and to categorise and fit these sources into secondary interpretational frameworks.
5. Communicate research findings in written, oral and visual form.
6. Appreciate technical skills, as well as the use of museums.
7. Demonstrate their knowledge of the roots of modern civilisation, especially with regard to patriarchal society, democracy, freedom of speech, and slavery.
8. Demonstrate their abilities in a group participation and self-learning. The use of web resources is also explored.
9. Focus on universal problems, such as the position of women, children, the marginalized and the phenomenon of exploitation.
10. Demonstrate that, through the use of visual materials, like sculpture, paintings and archeological artefacts; aesthetic and cultural sensitivity is improved.
11. Demonstrate skills in the areas of cultural development, human science research and communication.
12. Demonstrate that, by understanding how classical civilization developed, renewed itself and brought forth the modern sciences; a feeling for entrepreneurship is established.

Does the learner

1. Demonstrate an ability to interpret primary texts and artefacts?
2. Demonstrate his/her ability to present a seminar and participate critically in workshops?
3. Demonstrate his/her ability to write a research paper, utilising an explicit method based on primary sources?
4. Demonstrate his/her ability to analyse and evaluate published articles?
5. Have skills to write a research article and conduct a seminar?
6. Demonstrate his/her ability to do independent fieldwork and compile reports on Internet websites and museums?
7. Demonstrate his/her ability to integrate modern social problems with those experienced in ancient classical society?
8. Show an ability to work in a group and to make use of technical help?
9. Demonstrate an ability to analyse modern films based on classical themes e.g. The English Patient?
10. Demonstrate his/her ability to evaluate and interpret primary artefacts?
11. Demonstrate research and communication skills?
12. Demonstrate creative thinking and problem solving in organising an exhibition?

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented

• Essays,
• seminars,
• project word,
• fieldwork.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented

• Four written examinations (of 3 hours each) and one research essay of approximately 20 pages, typed in 1.5 spacing. (Examination sessions: July, November and January).