Two-Year Academic Program in Ancient Philology (Master’s of Arts Degree awarded by International University of Catalonia)

The Two-Year Academic Program in Ancient Philology focuses on Ancient Greek and Biblical Hebrew and offers intensive full immersion language training in both languages. Students will gain the ability to read moderately difficult narrative texts without the need of a dictionary/translation, save for rare occasions. Students complete the program with courses in linguistics, philology, philosophy, paleography, history, and literature. Some of these courses are taught in Ancient Greek.

This program is ideal for people interested in a career teaching Ancient Greek and/or Biblical Hebrew, as well as for scholars interested in Antiquity, classical philosophy, classical philology, religious studies, or the connection between Greek Antiquity and Judeo-Christian heritage.

Graduates of this program, or students registered in the second year, may apply to be streamed into the one-year Emphasis in Teaching Ancient & Modern Languages track, which focuses on preparing the student for a career in teaching languages in an immersive setting. Students gain first-hand experience teaching as well as participating in methodological courses and workshops. This track grants an additional 8.5 ECTS credits free of charge.

Application forms available online, by email, or in person. Scholarships available.

Disclaimer

The Polis Institute does not award academic degrees. Students who successfully complete this program may register at the International University of Catalonia (Barcelona, Spain) and be awarded a Master’s of Arts Degree in Ancient Philology by that institution once they have fulfilled its requirements. Please note that the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits are awarded by the accrediting institution and not by the Polis Institute.

1 ECTS Credit = 10 academic hours

Alternative One-Year Program

A shortened version of the Two-Year Program is available to students with a BA Degree wishing to study for only one year. Students will complete 600 academic hours including 440 hours of mandatory language courses. Scholarships and other teaching and research opportunities are also valid for the One-Year Program. Upon graduation, students will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Polis Institute.

Brochure 2022/2033

Mandatory Courses

First year

Language Courses

• Ancient Greek
• Biblical Hebrew

Students with no prior knowledge of the target language must start with Level I. Students with prior knowledge must complete a written and oral placement test in order to qualify for higher levels.

Theoretical & Practical Courses

• Greek Philology (taught in Ancient Greek)
• Historical Geography I
• Historical Geography II
• History of the Near East III/IV
• History of Writing Systems (taught in Ancient Greek)
• Issues in Semitic Languages
• Lexicon, Code, and Interaction
• Rabbinic and Early Christian Literature
• Introduction to Jewish Sources
• Syntax of Natural Languages

Second year

Language Courses

• Ancient Greek
• Biblical Hebrew

Students with no prior knowledge of the target language must start with Level I. Students with prior knowledge must complete a written and oral placement test in order to qualify into higher levels.

Theoretical & Practical Courses

• Phonetics and Phonology
• Derivational Morphology
• Historical Geography III
• Historical Geography IV
• History of the Near East I/II
• Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Philology
• Medieval Sources
• Patristic Sources
• Greek Palaeography
• Critical Apparatus
• Translation Theory (taught in Ancient Greek)
• Speech in Ancient Language (taught in Ancient Greek)

Research Track

• Master's Thesis

Non-research Track

• Seminar Paper
• Extra Mandatory Courses

Theoretical ECTS + Thesis: 62.5

Language ECTS: 62.0

Total Required ECTS: 124.5

Elective Courses

Elective courses listed here can be chosen over the two years without additional fees. Students may also request to register for elective courses from other programs for additional fees. Elective courses are subject to change.

Language Courses

• Ancient Greek 1
• Biblical Hebrew
• Classical Syriac
• Coptic
• Latin
• Modern Hebrew

Theoretical & Practical Courses

• Introduction to Hebrew Literature
• Ancient Greek Readings I: Koine Greek Prose (taught in Ancient Greek)
• Ancient Greek Readings II: Greek Philosopher (taught in Ancient Greek)
• Ancient Greek Readings III: Fathers of the Church (taught in Ancient Greek)
• Ancient Greek Readings IV: Attic Greek Prose (taught in Ancient Greek)
• Greek Lunch (Symposium taught in Ancient Greek)
• Semitic Palaeography
• Seven Seals (taught in Ancient Greek)
• Jewish Feasts
• Applied Philology Seminar 1: Practicum
• Applied Philology Seminar 2: Practicum
• Applied Philology Seminar 3-6: Practicum
• Selected Near Eastern Language
• History of the Near East
• The Genre of Parables in Gospels and Early Jewish Texts
• The Notion of God According to the Tanakh, Christian Bible, and Qur'an

Emphasis in Teaching Ancient & Modern Languages

Graduates of the Two-Year Academic Program in Ancient Philology, or students registered in the second year, may apply to be streamed into the one-year Emphasis in Teaching Ancient & Modern Languages track, which focuses on preparing the student for a career in teaching languages in an immersive setting. Students gain first-hand experience teaching as well as participating in methodological courses and workshops. This track grants an additional 8.5 ECTS credits free of charge.

Theoretical & Practical Courses

• Issues in Teaching Ancient Languages
• Workshops
• Assistant Teaching