E. Language Courses
E1. I would like to take a course in Greek/Latin. I have already done some Greek/Latin, but I don't have the prerequisite listed in the Calendar. What should I do?
If you don't wish to begin at the 100 level, there are two possibilities:
- advanced placement
- credit by special assessment
(1) Advanced placement
If you believe you have sufficient knowledge in Greek or Latin to take a particular course, but you do not hold credit in the prerequisite course, it may be possible for you to take the course "with the consent of the Department" on successful completion of a placement test (this is set out in the University Calendar, 44.4).
This may be the case if, for example, you studied Greek or Latin for several years at school but did not take the subject for matriculation, or if you have taken an equivalent non-credit course in Greek or Latin. It would not normally be possible for a student who had failed a prerequisite course to advance to the next level by taking a placement test.
You should contact the instructor of the course you wish to take well in advance of the beginning of term. This is to allow time for the instructor to: consult with the instructor of the prerequisite course, if necessary; arrange the test at a mutually convenient time; set and mark the test; and give you time to register in the course. If you are also seeking credit by special assessment (discussed next), special conditions apply.
You should note that:
- no credit can be given for successfully completing the test, and
- waiver of the prerequisite does not guarantee admission to the course if it is full.
(2) Credit by special assessment
If you can demonstrate an acceptable level of mastery of Greek or Latin, you may be permitted to receive degree credit in the prerequisite course without actually registering in and taking the course. You would then also have the prerequisite for admission to the course you wish to take.
There are restrictions on the number of courses you may attempt by special assessment. Deadlines, fees and other information relating to special assessment are set out in the University Calendar 42.5.
If you have audited the prerequisite course or if you have withdrawn from the course, you cannot later receive credit by special assessment.
E2. I would like to complete beginners' and intermediate Greek/Latin (i.e. courses numbered 101, 102, 301, and 302) in less than the two years normally required. Could I take an intensive course at another institution during the summer?
See question F6 under for general rules that apply to transfer credit.
Time constraints commonly arise when students decide to enter the Honours program late in their degree or decide they wish to pursue graduate studies and need to have one or more Classical languages for admission. The Department recognizes that an intensive course during the summer can assist students in meeting their academic goals. The Classics program at the University of Alberta frequently includes intensive language courses (most often Latin 101 and 102) during the spring and summer.
If you wish to take a course at another institution for credit and/or to satisfy a prerequisite, you should ensure that the course is acceptable for the purpose.
The Faculty of Arts, with the advice of the academic staff in Classics, has assessed a number of courses at Alberta post-secondary institutions for transfer credit. Contact the Undergraduate Student Services Office for information on the course you are considering.
Other courses are assessed for credit on a case-by-case basis. You will need to provide the Classics BA Advisor with information about the course.
Even if you are able to obtain transfer credit for a course at another institution, you should note that some intensive beginners' courses may not provide the preparation you need to pursue a 300-level course at the University of Alberta. You may find it helpful to obtain a course description for the course you are considering taking, and then contact the instructor of the 300-level course you plan to take for advice on any supplementary work you may need to do to prepare for the 300-level course.