Unit information: Greek Language Level D in 2013/14

Unit name	Greek Language Level D
Unit code	CLAS30074
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Michelakis
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	CLAS22405 or equivalent
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Classics & Ancient History
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The primary unifying principle for this unit is to survey some of the great, non-epic poetry of archaic Greece. In addition to reading extensive selections from five of those whom Hellenistic scholars canonized as the nine lyric poets (Alcman, Sappho, Alcaeus, Anacreon, and Pindar, but not Ibycus, Stesichorus, Simonides, or Bacchylides), we will also touch on the poignant elegies of Mimnermus and the martial ones of Tyrtaeus. As we read these poems, we’ll be continually revisiting three intersecting themes: first, what sort of “ancient wisdom” do these poems, emerging within their own cultural and poetic traditions, attribute to themselves? Second, what sort of wisdom has been attributed to them in their reception? Third, what interpretive principles do we use or have earlier poets, philosophers, and scholars used in looking for this wisdom?

Aims:

Upon conclusion of this unit students will have developed knowledge of the issues raised in relation to the texts studied and their interpretation, and the relevance of these for wider theoretical issues. They will have developed a detailed appreciation of the literary style of the texts studied and improved their fluency in reading and stylistic translating of Greek/Latin.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students should have:

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

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

• developed and refined their skills in constructing coherent, relevant and sophisticated critical arguments, and in relating their readings of the texts to wider theoretical issues;

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

Teaching Information

Seminars and reading classes.

Assessment Information

• 1 essay of approximately 3000 words in length (50%), and

• 1 90-minute examination containing sight translation, set text translation, and passages of set text for comment (50%).

Reading and References

Budelmann, F. (ed.) (2009) The Cambridge Companion to Greek Lyric. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Calame, C. (1997) Choruses of Young Women in Ancient Greece: Their Morphology, Religious Role, and Social Function. trans. D. Collins and J. Orion. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.

Campbell, D. (1991) Greek Lyric Poetry. New Edition. Bristol Classical Press

Ferrari, G. (2008) Alcman and the Cosmos of Sparta. Chicago.

Segal, C. (1998) Aglaia: The Poetry of Alcman, Sappho, Pindar, Bacchylides and Corinna. Lanham: Littlefield and Row.