At the end of this course, the students; 1) acquire full theoretical and critical knowledge on classical Greek and Roman literature, 2) critically analyze and discuss the thematic, structural, generic, mythological, religious, and historical contents of the classical text under study, 3) become fully familiar with the social, cultural, political, intellectual, historical, mythological, and literary context of classical Greek and Roman literature, 4) are able to make a comparative and historical study of classical Greek and Roman civilizations, 5) can appreciate the impact of classical Greek and Roman literature on modern European literature in general and English and American literature in particular.
MODE OF DELIVERY
PRE-REQUISITES OF THE COURSE
No
RECOMMENDED OPTIONAL PROGRAMME COMPONENT
COURSE DEFINITION
This course mainly comprises an in-depth study of classical Greek and Roman literature through sample texts of different genres within a social, political, cultural, and literary context.
COURSE CONTENTS
WEEK
TOPICS
1st Week
General introduction: Uses of the study of classical Greek and Roman literature; the origins of the literary tradition in classical antiquity; the impact of classical Greek literature on Roman literature.
2nd Week
Main features and literary aspects of the Homeric epic; study and critical analysis of sample passages from Homer's epics The Iliad and The Odyssey.
3rd Week
(Continued)
4th Week
Homer's influence on Virgil; Virgil's idea of epic; study and critical analysis of sample passages from The Aeneid;
5th Week
(Continued)
6th Week
(Continued)
7th Week
Midterm Examination
8th Week
The rise and development of tragedy as a literary genre in ancient Greece: theoretical, historical, social, and cultural perspectives.
9th Week
Study and critical analysis of Aeschylus' Agamemnon, Sophocles' Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex), and Euripides' Electra.
10th Week
(Continued).
11th Week
The rise and development of comedy as a literary genre in ancient Greece; study and critical analysis of Aristophanes. The Frogs.
12th Week
(Continued).
13th Week
Samples of classical Greek and Roman poetry: mythologies (Hesiod?s Theogony), hymns, lyrics, pastorals (Theocritus' Idylls and Virgil's Eclogues), odes (Horace's Odes),
14th Week
(Continued). Wrap-Up.
RECOMENDED OR REQUIRED READING
Texts:
Homer. The Iliad;
Homer. The Odyssey.
Virgil. The Aeneid.
Aeschylus. Agamemnon.
Sophocles. Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex).
Euripides. Electra.
Aristophanes. The Frogs.
Theocritus. The Idylls.
Virgil. The Eclogues.
Horace. The Odes.
Suggested Secondary Sources
Harris, William V. Ancient Literacy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 1989.
Murray, Gilbert. The Literature of Ancient Greece. Chicago: Phoenix, 1956.
Newman, John Kevin. The Classical Epic Tradition. Madison: U of Wisconsin P, 1986.
Ford, Andrew. Homer: The Poetry of the Past. Ithaca: Cornell UP, 1994.
Bloom, Harold. Homer?s Odyssey: Bloom?s Notes. Broomall, PA: Chelsea House, 1996.
Finley, M.I. The World of Odysseus. 1954. Rev. ed. Harmondsworth: Pelican-Penguin, 1970.
Jenkyns, Richard. Classical Literature: An Epic Journey from Homer to Virgil and Beyond. New York: Basic Books, 2016.
Ogilvie, Robert Maxwell, Roman Literature and Society; Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1984.
Putnam, Michael C. J. Virgil's Aeneid: Interpretation and Influence. Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina P, 1995.
Rabinowitz, Nancy Sorkin. Greek Tragedy. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2008.
Burnett, Anne Pippin. Revenge in Attic and Later Tragedy. Berkeley: U of California P, 1998.
Michelini, Ann N. Euripides and the Tragic Tradition. Madison: U of Wisconsin P, 1987.
Lowe, N. J. Comedy. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2009.
Hubbard, Thomas K. The Mask of Comedy : Aristophanes and the Intertextual Parabasis. Ithaca: Cornell UP, 1991.
Segal, Charles. Poetry and Myth in Ancient Pastoral Essays on Theocritus and Virgil. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton UP, 1981.
Powell, Anton. Roman Poetry and Propaganda in the Age of Augustus. London: Bristol Classical Press, 1997.
Griffin, Jasper. Latin Poets and Roman Life. Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina P, 1986.
PLANNED LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Lecture,Discussion
ASSESSMENT METHODS AND CRITERIA
Quantity
Percentage(%)
Mid-term
1
30
Quiz
2
20
Attendance
1
5
Presentation of Article
1
5
Total(%)
60
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%)
60
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%)
40
Total(%)
100
ECTS WORKLOAD
Activities
Number
Hours
Workload
Midterm exam
1
2
2
Preparation for Quiz
2
3
6
Individual or group work
14
3
42
Preparation for Final exam
1
10
10
Course hours
14
3
42
Preparation for Midterm exam
1
10
10
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam
1
2
2
Homework
Quiz
2
1
2
Article Presentation
1
4
4
Total Workload
120
Total Workload / 30
4
ECTS Credits of the Course
4
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION
English
WORK PLACEMENT(S)
No
KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES (KLO) / MATRIX OF LEARNING OUTCOMES (LO)
