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Language Proficiency

Graduate Reading Proficiency Exam

The Graduate Reading Proficiency Examination in Ancient Greek, Classical Latin, or Medieval Latin is given by arrangement between the student and the Department of Classical Studies during the Fall and Spring terms only. You must register with our department at least two weeks before the date of the examination. The examination is set for 2 hours and is scored according to the accuracy of translation and the amount of material translated. Latin/English or Greek/English dictionaries may be used. You may not take the examination more than three times. You should bring your ID card with photograph to the examination.

Note: Information about language proficiency is relevant to graduate students pursuing a degree outside of our department.

You may be certified as reading proficient in Latin by examination or by completion of L400 or the equivalent with a grade of B or better.
You may be certified as reading proficient in ancient Greek by examination or by completion of G650 or the equivalent with a grade of B or better.
You may show in-depth proficiency (a level of proficiency above and beyond reading proficiency) by passing the M.A. Translation Exam in Latin or Greek, or by earning a grade of B or higher in two advanced courses in Latin (those above L400) or Greek (G305 and above).

Graduate Reading Proficiency Examination materials

Classical Latin

Poetry: All Students–Vergil Aeneid I and VI

Prose:

Students in English, Comparative Literature, modern foreign languages, fine arts, music, speech and theatre: Cicero Pro Archia Poeta, Cicero Pro Caelio sections 56-80
Students in history: Cicero De Imperio Cn. Pompei (=Pro lege Manilia)
Students in philosophy: Cicero De Senectute

Ancient Greek

Poetry: All Students–Homer Iliad I, Odyssey V

Prose:

Students in English, Comparative Literature, modern foreign languages, fine arts, music, speech and theatre: Plato Ion
Students in history: Xenophon Anabasis I
Students in philosophy: Plato Crito

Medieval Latin – Humanities

Set books:

Jerome, Biblia Latina Vulgata: Psalms 1-50, iuxta LXX (i.e., the "Gallican" version). Biblia sacra iuxta vulgatam versionem, ed. R. Weber, Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1969 (5th ed. 2007).

Walter Map, De Nugis Curialium: Distinctio IV. Ed./Trans. M. R. James, Rev. C.N.L. Brooke and R.A.B. Mynors. Oxford Medieval Texts. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1983.

Medieval Latin – Music

Poetry:

Ambrosian Hymns (ed. Fontaine, 1992)

Notker, Sequences (ed. von den Steinen, Notker der Dichter und seine Geistige Welt)

Carmina Burana (ed. Hilka-Schumann; electronic text available through IUCAT: Digitale Bibliothek deutscher Klassiker imWWW)

Prose:

Biblia Latina (Exodus)

Augustine on music (De Musica, PL 32.1079-1194) Johannes Tinctoris, Liber de arte contrapunti.

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Language Proficiency

Graduate Reading Proficiency Exam

Graduate Reading Proficiency Examination materials

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