Unit information: Greek Language Level C2 in 2014/15

Unit name	Greek Language Level C2
Unit code	CLASM0031
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Lyndsay Coo
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
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.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students should have:

• developed their skills in reading, translating and interpreting a Greek 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. 30 contact hours; 170 hours independent learning

Assessment Information

Mode of assessment for Second, Third years and MAs will be as follows: • 1 essay of 2,500 words (2nd years), 3,000 words (3rd years) or 4,000 words (MAs). Weighted at 50%. • 1 examination of one and a half hours at the end of the relevant Teaching Block, 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. Weighted at 50%

Reading and References

To be read in Greek (1000 lines in total):

• Aristophanes: Frogs 830-1523. Recommended edition: K. Dover, AristophanesFrogs, Oxford 1993
• Aristotle: Poetics 1447a8-18 (Introduction) and 1449a9-1454b18 (=chs 4-15) Recommended edition: D. W. Lucas, Aristotle: Poetics, Oxford 1968

Students should also read books 2,3 and 10 of Plato’s Republic in English.