FAQs -- UC Berkeley Greek Workshop 2017

UC BERKELEY DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICS
2017 INTENSIVE SUMMER GREEK WORKSHOP (GREEK 15)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates for workshop?

The workshop will run from June 5th to August 11th, 2017.

How much does the workshop cost?

The tuition cost, as determined by UC Berkeley Summer Sessions, varies depending on status (UC undergraduate, UC graduate student, visiting student). Details can be found here; please note that the Workshop is a ten-unit course. There will be up to eight tuition fellowships (in total for both the Greek and Latin Workshops) each providing a $2,000 rebate from tuition costs. Application instructions for the fellowships, and deadline information, can be found here.

How do I register?

For registration instructions, please consult the registration page here.

Can I audit the Greek Workshop?

According to University policy, auditors are not permitted in the Workshop.

Does the Workshop fill up?

In past years the Workshop has often filled. It is a good idea to sign up early to ensure that you get in.

I want to enroll in the Workshop but need to miss a week (or more) of class. Can I still enroll?

The Workshop moves very quickly and there is not much time for students to catch up if they fall behind. Students are generally discouraged from missing any class, but in certain circumstances, it may be possible to do so.

How much does it cost to live in the Bay Area? The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most pleasant and desirable places to live in the U.S., so the cost of housing here is a little higher than many of us would like. If you're willing to share housing, though, you could probably pay about $800/month for rent. The UC Berkeley Dorms are available for summer housing, though the age range of the people staying there may make other options better for older students. The Berkeley Co-Op Houses offer inexpensive housing and board (in most cases) in exchange for two hours of co-op work per week. The International House, which is very close to campus, may be better for graduate students, but it is a bit more expensive. You can also check for summer sublets on craigslist or calrentals. The Berkeley campus is close to public transport including the BART system, so you need not confine your housing search to Berkeley itself.

There are plenty of inexpensive places to eat around the Berkeley campus, and the groceries, especially the produce, available at the Berkeley Bowl or Monterey Market are excellent and affordable.

Will I be able to handle learning so much Greek in ten weeks?

The Workshop is designed for students with no previous experience with Greek, and most students are able to succeed. There is lots of help available for students who are struggling. Instructors hold regular office hours and answer questions in the evening over e-mail. Students are encouraged to form study groups. Instructors actively discourage a competitive environment, and in past years there has been a great sense of camaraderie in the Workshop community.

I've taken some Greek before. Is the Workshop right for me?

If you've recently taken and been successful in a complete introductory course in ancient Greek, you may find that the Workshop would merely provide you with the opportunity to review what you previously learned. If you took some Greek some time ago or took only part of a first-year course, you will likely find the Workshop challenging and edifying.

Will I have time to take other courses, hold a job, or work on my dissertation while enrolled in the Workshop?

Students are expected to be in class for six hours each day and to study and complete homework assignments for approximately three hours each evening. In the past, students have found it very difficult, not to say impossible, to pursue other projects or take on other obligations while in the Workshop.

I am a graduate student in philosophy (or comparative literature or history or theology, etc.), and I have a translation exam requirement in Ancient Greek. Will the Workshop prepare me to pass my exam in the fall?

Many students in the past have been able to pass translation exams in the fall following their summer in the Workshop. All students are encouraged to take a Greek reading course in the fall following the Workshop to cement the reading knowledge they have developed over the summer.

What Greek course will I be ready to take after the Workshop?

Every student will be prepared to take a second-year Greek sequence (usually consisting of a course on Plato and oratory follow by a course on Homer). Some students who are motivated to do so may find that they are ready for more advanced reading courses.