Introductory description

The purpose of the course is to build upon previous learning and skills in Greek language and literature, and to allow students both to broaden and to deepen their interpretation of significant themes.
As well as developing the ability of students to translate and interpret Greek literary texts, the module also includes discussion of salient aspects of grammar and syntax.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This module builds upon the module Greek Language and Literature (or A level), aiming to enhance the student's appreciation of Greek literature. Students will read set texts in both prose and verse.
Syllabus:

• Homer, Odyssey Book 8
• Herodotus Book 5.55-6, 62-76, 90-93, 97
• Lysias 1

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• an advanced and comprehensive knowledge of Greek grammar
• the ability to translate set texts independently
• some understanding of how language and style contribute to the overall comprehension of the texts

Indicative reading list

Grammar of Classical Greek – Morwood
Homer. Iliad I, with Notes and Vocabulary by P.A. Draper, Ann Arbor: University of Michican Press, 2002.
Plato. Symposium, with commentary and notes by Gilbert P. Rose, Bryn Mawr Classical Commentaries, Bryn Mawr, 1985
Aristophanes: Clouds, with notes and vocabulary by L. S. Barnard, Bryn Mawr Greek Commentaries, Bryn Mawr, 1987.
Lysias. Selected Speeches, edited by C. Carey, Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics, CUP, Cambridge, 1989.

Subject specific skills

• an advanced and comprehensive knowledge of Greek grammar
• the ability to recognise and comment upon a number of different genres and stylistic registers in Greek texts
• the ability to translate the set texts and recognise the philological and interpretative implications of their translations
• an awareness of how the thematic concerns of the individual books studied relate to the authors’ work as a whole • the ability to translate previously unprepared passages from the set authors
• the ability to interpret and discuss critically aspects of the set texts and of some secondary bibliography

Transferable skills

• critical thinking
• problem solving
• communication
• information literacy
• professionalism