PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
BA (Hons) Ancient Languages
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
BA
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
N/A
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
From 2014 intake onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Arts and Humanities
Parent Department:
Hebrew and Jewish Studies
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
www.ucl.ac.uk/hebrew-jewish
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time / Part-time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
AAB at A Level; a pass in a further subject at AS Level
1 ancient and 1 modern language at GCSE
or 1 ancient or modern language at A Level (A grade)
Additional UCL requirements for GCSE level:
English Language at grade B, plus Mathematics at grade C. For UKbased students, a grade C or equivalent in a foreign language (other
than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL
provides opportunities to meet this requirement following enrolment
at UCL.
Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
(see Guidance notes)
IB Diploma with 36 points
A score of 17 points in three higher level subjects including Greek or
Latin at grade 6, with no score lower than 5.
3 years Full-time
6 years Part-time
Level 6
QAA 164 02/07
Classics and ancient history (including Byzantine Studies and
Modern Greek) (2007)
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark/statements/
Classics.asp)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
YEAR 1
 HEBR1005 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew (1 cu)
 Language 2 (Greek or Latin) (1 cu)
 CLAS1301 Introduction to the Study of Language (.5 cu)
 1.5 cu of optional courses (may include language 3 (see
below for list) and up to 1 cu from outside the main area of
study)
YEAR 2
 HEBR7003 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew (1 cu)
 Language 2 (Greek or Latin) (1 cu)
 Language 3 (1 cu)
 1 optional cu
YEAR 3
 HEBR7008 Advanced Biblical Hebrew (1 cu) or
 HEBR7603 Introduction to Ugaritic(1 cu)
 Language 2 (Greek or Latin) (1 cu)
 2 optional cus (may not include beginners’ Latin or Greek;
may include .5 to 1 cu of extended essay/Final Year
Dissertation)
Language 3: Aramaic, Syriac (Dept. of Hebrew and Jewish Studies)
Latin or Greek (Dept. of Greek and Latin)
Egyptian (Institute of Archaeology)
Akkadian, Sumerian, Hittite, Sanskrit (SOAS)
Optional units may include languages and/or relevant non-language
courses, e.g. ancient history, archaeology, literature, etc.
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
Board of Examiners in Hebrew and Jewish Studies
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit: N/A
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
To provide an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the ancient world, uniting academic enquiry into the
philology and shared cultural heritage of the Mediterranean and Near East.
To promote proficiency in a range of ancient languages and the ability to access and evaluate literary, religious, and
historical sources in the original.
To develop the ability to assess and present various types of evidence which are relevant to specific issues and
thereby to equip students with skills that will be valuable to them in future employment and study.
To promote the acquisition of analytical thought, stimulate student’s imagination and encourage enjoyment of
learning.
Award of this degree leads to openings not only in further study and academic employment but also in careers in
teaching, museum and archive work law, the media, community work, the civil and diplomatic services, and a wide
range of other professions in the public and private sectors.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1.
2.
3.
Acquisition of 1-2 is through small-group classes and regular
assessed coursework.
Acquisition of 3-4 is through a combination of lectures and
small-group classes. Throughout the learner is encouraged to
undertake independent reading both to supplement and
consolidate what is being taught/learnt and to broaden their
individual knowledge and understanding of their subject.
4.
Hebrew, Greek, and/or Latin
Other ancient Near Eastern languages
The linguistic structures of ancient
languages and key concepts in historical
linguistics
Literature, culture, and history of the
ancient world
Assessment:
Testing of the knowledge base is through a combination of
unseen written examinations (1-4), assessed coursework (1-4)
in the form of essays (3-4), in-class tests (1-2), set
assignments (1-2), and extended essays (3-4).
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1.
2.
Intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and
learning programme outlined above. Each course, whatever
the format of the teaching, involves discussion of key issues,
practice in applying concepts both orally and in writing,
analysis and interpretation of material and individual feedback
sessions for learners on work produced.
3.
4.
5.
Reason critically
Apply concepts and methods of linguistic,
literary, and historical analysis to literary
and other sources
Identify and solve problems
Analyse, interpret, and synthesise
Demonstrate and exercise independence
of mind and thought
Assessment:
The variety of assessment methods employed all place great
emphasis on the learner’s ability to demonstrate skills 1-5
through the production of coherent and critical responses
either to problems or tasks set.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1.
1. Throughout the programme learners take classes in Hebrew
and Greek or Latin language, with another ancient language
studied at least for one year.
2. First-year students take a compulsory course in historical
linguistics, equipping them with the necessary tools for
subsequent linguistic analysis. All language- and text-based
courses include instruction and practice in developing
translation skills.
3. Classes are given on literary theory and historical methods
and approaches.
4. All learners receive initial guidance on how to identify, locate
and use material available in libraries and elsewhere.
Comprehensive bibliographies are provided for each course at
the outset, as are detailed guidelines for the production of
coursework and extended essays.
2.
3.
4.
Read and write Hebrew and Greek or
Latin at a high level of proficiency and
another ancient language to an
appropriate level
Apply key methods and concepts of
linguistic analysis and translation
Apply key methods and concepts of
literary and historical analysis
Retrieve, sift, and select information from
a variety of sources
Assessment:
Skills are assessed through assessed coursework (in-class
tests, set assignments, and essays produced out of class) and
by unseen written examinations.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Structure and communicate ideas
effectively both orally and in writing
Manage time and work to deadlines
Participate constructively in groups
Work independently
Find information and use information
technology
Assess critically the relevance and
importance of the ideas of others
Analyse and synthesise data
Learn foreign languages with confidence
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
All courses require regular written work and regular feedback
on this is given to the learner to develop both their
understanding and their powers of expression (skills 1 and 8).
Skill 2 is learnt (rather than taught) through the management of
time to meet the various and sometimes conflicting deadlines
(all notified at the outset of each course) for submission of
coursework. Skills 1, 3, 6, and 7 are developed in classes,
seminars and tutorials, which rely on discussion and
interaction, as well as presentations in certain courses either
by individuals or by groups. Skills 4 and 6 are developed
through coursework assignments. Skill 5 is largely developed
through individual learning.
Assessment:
Effective communication of ideas is an important criterion in
assessing all areas of a student's work and the regular
feedback as well as the final mark reflects this. Skills 4, 6, and
7 are assessed by coursework and essays. Skill 5 is assessed
through the assembly of necessary information for set
assignments and essays. and their production on PCs. Skill 2
is indirectly assessed by degree of compliance with deadlines,
as late submission of work is penalised by graded mark
deductions. Skill 3 is not formally assessed. Skill 8 is assessed
by feedback on regular language coursework and classroom
preparation.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Nikolaos Gonis
Name(s):
Lily Okalani Kahn
Date of Production:
February 2013
Date of Review:
October 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
October 2015
October 2015