Unit information: Greek Language Level C1 in 2013/14

Unit name	Greek Language Level C1
Unit code	CLAS32405
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Sandwell
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	CLAS22316 or equivalent
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Classics & Ancient History
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The aim of this unit is to develop and reinforce students’ skills in the reading of ancient Greek, and to do some work on the comparative practical criticism of classical texts. The texts under study – a section of the Odyssey and a late-fifth-century satyr play by Euripides – relate the ‘same’ episode: the encounter of wily Odysseus with the giant Cyclops; but they do so in very different ways. As we read, we shall consider a variety of perspectives from which to view these texts, emphasising especially the need to replace them within their cultural and generic contexts.

Aims:

Upon conclusion of this unit students will have developed knowledge of the issues raised in relation to the texts studied and their interpretation. They will have developed an appreciation of the literary style of the texts studied and improved their fluency in reading and translating of Greek.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students should have:

• developed their skills in reading, translating and interpreting a Greek/Latin text;

• become familiar with current debates about the texts studied, and their historical and cultural significance;

• developed and refined their skills in constructing coherent and relevant critical arguments, in relation to the understanding and appreciation of the texts studied;

• developed and enhanced their skills in oral and written communication by contributing to discussion in seminars, presenting short papers, and producing an essay and various written examinations.

Teaching Information

3 x 1 hour seminars.

Assessment Information

1 essay of 3,000 words and 1 examination of one and a half hours, consisting of a passage of 10-12 lines for unseen translation (30% of exam mark) with passage summary, a passage of 10-12 lines for prepared text translation (30% of exam mark), and a passage of 20 lines with specific questions for comment (40% of exam mark). No choice of questions will be offered and no reference texts or dictionaries will be allowed in this exam.

Reading and References

M. Silk, ‘The Odyssey and its explorations’ in R. Fowler, ed., The Cambridge Companion to Homer (Cambridge 2004), Chapter 3

L. M. Slatkin, ‘Composition by theme and the mētis of the Odyssey’, in S. Schein, ed., Reading the Odyssey: Selected Interpretive Essays (Princeton 1996), 223 – 37

P. E. Easterling, ‘A show for Dionysus’, and ‘Form and performance’, in P. Easterling, ed., The Cambridge Companion to Greek Tragedy (Cambridge 1997)

D. Konstan, ‘An anthropology of Euripides’ Kyklōps’, in J. Winkler, F. Zeitlin, eds., Nothing to Do with Dionysos? Athenian Drama in its Social Context (Princeton 1990), 207 – 27

Set Texts:

W.B. Stanford, ed., Homer Odyssey I-XII (Bristol Classical Press). Set Greek passage: the whole of Book IX . The whole of the Odyssey to be read in English.

R. Seaford, ed., Euripides Cyclops (Bristol Classical Press). Set Greek passage: lines 85 – end. The whole of the play to be read in English. Students will read 1200 lines of Greek in total.