School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry

Classical Languages: Advancement, Mentoring, Outreach

CLAMO – Classical Languages: Advancement, Mentoring, Outreach – promotes the study of ancient Greek and Latin at the University of Queensland and in the wider community. The initiative is a collaboration between the Classics and Ancient History Society (CAHS) and Classics lecturer Caillan Davenport. In 2015, the CAHS President is Kristina McColm, and the Vice-President for Classical Languages is Nile de Jonge.

 
Mentoring and Support for Classics Students at UQ
 
All students enrolled in first-year Greek and Latin language subjects (GREK1110; LATN1110; GREK2120; LATN2120) are assigned their own mentors as a point of contact for advice and support. The mentoring team, composed of senior undergraduate students and postgraduates, runs drop-in help sessions twice a week. Students are encouraged to drop by to seek clarification on points of grammar and syntax, to test their knowledge of vocabulary, and to do practice exercises. The 2015 mentors and times of drop-in help sessions will be announced at the beginning of Semester 1. For further details, see the CAHS web site. (http://cahsociety.com/clamo/)

School and Community Outreach Events

In 2011-2014, the following outreach events were held:
  • In 2011-2012, we welcomed Latin students from Brisbane Boys’ Grammar, Brisbane Girls’ Grammar, and the Aeneas School of Classics. Students heard talks on a variety of topics, including Latin manuscripts, Cicero, Pliny the Younger, and Boudica, as well as interactive sessions with inscriptions and coins in the R.D. Milns Antiquities Museum.
  • In May 2012, CLAMO participated in UQ Diversity Week, with a panel on ‘United in Diversity: Perspectives from Ancient Literature’. The forum featured papers by Amelia Brown on Xenophon’sAnabasis, Chris Mallan on Dio Chrysostom’s Alexandrian Oration, and Caillan Davenport on Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations.
  • In June 2012, Caillan Davenport and Janette McWilliam took Latin on the road to the Queensland History Teachers’ Association Annual Conference, where they spoke about integrating Latin words and terminology into the Ancient History classroom.
  • In 2013-2014, we welcomed Year 11 and Year 12 Ancient History students from Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC) and Stuartholme School for taster sessions on Latin, its history and development, and manuscripts from the Fryer Library. The students also participated in workshops at the R. D. Milns Antiquities Museum (http://www.uq.edu.au/antiquities/extension-latin).
 
We would love to run further outreach days for students with no knowledge of Latin and Greek. Possible subjects include: the alphabet, numbers, names, basic terminology, famous words and etymology. If any school teachers are interested in us arranging such events for their students at UQ, or would like us to come to their school, please contact Dr. Caillan Davenport (c.davenport@uq.edu.au). We can tailor these events to your curriculum and teaching needs.
 

Contact

For further information about CLAMO activities, please contact the Classics and Ancient History Society (cahs.uq@gmail.com) or Dr. Caillan Davenport (c.davenport@uq.edu.au).
 
  
Enjoying a CLAMO lunch