This requirement may be satisfied as follows:
1. In Latin or Greek: (i) By proposing to the Advisory Committee a list totaling approximately 750
pages of Oxford Text, drawn from no fewer than 10 different prose writers and poets. The threehour
language examination will consist of four passages of about 175 words each, taken from these
texts. A dictionary is not permitted. If the student has passed one semester or both semesters of the
Classics Department’s survey in the language, one quarter or (in the second case) one half of this
reading list may consist of works read in the survey. Alternatively (ii), the student may ask his or
her Advisory Committee to set a three-hour unseen translation exam consisting of three passages
of about 150 words each, drawn from the standard canon of prose and verse authors. A dictionary
is not permitted. In order to pass, the translations submitted must be virtually error-free.
2. In any other ancient language, by taking at least one year’s coursework in that language to achieve
minimum competence in it as defined by the Department of Near Eastern Studies. Since advanced
research may require competence beyond these minimum levels, the Advisory Committee may also
recommend or even require extra language training if appropriate.
3. In a modern language such as German, French, Italian, or modern Greek, either (i) by passing an
examination set by AHMA's Modern Language Exam Committee in that language; or (ii) by
completing at least two years’ coursework at Berkeley in that language with an average grade of
B+; or (iii) by submitting for consideration by the student’s Advisory Committee an examination
in that language passed at another university. In the last case the Advisory Committee’s decision
whether or not to accept the examination will be final.
Modern language exams are scheduled together at the end of the week before classes start each semester
and a third time at the end of Spring semester by AHMA's Modern Language Exam Committee. Students
will have 90 minutes to translate one passage from a relevant scholarly work. They will have the option of
translating ca. 300 words without use of a dictionary, or ca. 500 words with the use of a dictionary, from
the same assigned passage.
Ancient language exams are scheduled during the week before classes start each semester and during RRR
week of the spring semester. Ancient language exams are individually crafted, and students should ask their
Advisory Committees well in advance to set them. They may enroll for credit in an Independent Study
course (AHMA 299) or Individual Study for Master's Students (CLAS 601), as appropriate, in order to
prepare for them. The units for such independent study courses are not applicable to the coursework
requirement for Stage I.