Graecum
Graecum (from Latin exam Graecum , Greek test ' ) is the name of the ancient Greek - exam , similar to the Latin Latinum and the Hebrew Hebraicum , that is proof of knowledge of ancient Greek in at least a sufficient extent.
need
Until 1900 every student at German universities was expected to be able to speak Greek and Latin; This was changed under the influence of Kaiser Wilhelm II , who considered the ancient languages superfluous. Nowadays the acquisition of the Graecum or knowledge of ancient Greek is only a requirement in a few subjects; So especially in the subjects of Protestant and Catholic theology and philosophy as well as in all ancient science subjects such as Latin, ancient history and classical archeology . In some of these subjects, however, only major or doctoral students have to prove the Graecum; there are also differences from university to university.
Acquisition
The Graecum usually confirms successful participation in "at least four years of ascending compulsory instruction" in ancient Greek with the final grade of "sufficient" (5 points) or better. The federal states can also specify longer periods in their ordinances. There must be exams and grades.
Due to the relative rarity of ancient Greek lessons at today's German schools, however, the Graecum is usually acquired in the first semesters of the course as a supplement to the Abitur . In preparation, universities offer language courses during the semester (previously usually over two or three semesters). Private institutes with holiday intensive courses offer further preparation options. As a rule, the Graecum exam requires the translation of a medium-difficulty Plato or Xenophon passage, plus an oral exam. Supplementary exams for the Graecum are taken both within the university and by the federal states (in Hesse, for example, by the state education authorities). The exam can be repeated once if it is not passed, and in some federal states it can be repeated twice.
