Special Course for Beginners in Greek

Abstract

The Department of Classics of the University of Melbourne held a special course for beginners in Greek throughout February 1946. The idea first came from discussion with the Professor of Philosophy: he felt that there was a real demand for Greek among students in Philosophy and other Arts departments who had not done it at school. The course was therefore offered without cost to present and intending members of the University, both staff and students. Seventeen were accepted, including five University teachers: History and Philosophy were both strongly represented; we had a number of men, including a high proportion of ex-servicemen, who were about to do Arts courses leading to Theology; and we had several students of a highly commendable type, namely those who, while fully committed to other courses, felt that a month's work in Greek would at least give them a worth-while experience. There were other applicants whom we could not fit in. It seems quite clear then that there does exist among adults a demand for opportunities to find out something about Greek. The sincerity of this demand is shown all the more by the fact that the applicants were required to undertake to give their whole time to Greek for a month, working all day and six days a week.The conception of a full-time course was suggested by observation of the success of the Australian Army and Air Force schools in Japanese and by reports of similar courses in America, which by working at high pressure achieved results never dreamed of in the leisurely methods of peace.