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CLAS2171: ADVANCED GREEK 2A

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Type Open
Level 2
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Classics and Ancient History

Prerequisites

  • For students taking Classics (Q801), Classical Civilisation (Q820) and Ancient History (V110) Intermediate Greek 1A.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To study in depth a selection of verse texts suitable for students with a good command of ancient Greek morphology and syntax, some experience of reading texts in the original, and a good understanding of Greek culture.

Content

  • This module introduces students to a selection of ancient Greek texts appropriate to readers with a good command of grammar, some experience of reading texts in the original language, and a good understanding of Greek culture.
  • Authors may include Hesiod, Solon, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Aristophanes.
  • All texts will be linked by a theme which will provide the focus for the module.
  • The emphasis will be on poetry.
  • Examples of themes may be: the hero in fifth-century Athens, the myth of Prometheus, poetry and politics, etc.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • A knowledge of ancient Greek morphology, syntax, and verse-forms sufficient to form the basis of an independent appreciation and understanding of a selection of Greek verse authors; a knowledge and understanding of a selection of works from a selection of Greek verse authors; a knowledge of vocabulary appropriate to a student with a year's post-Intermediate study and experience of the Greek language.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • An ability to construe some Greek verse texts with dictionaries; an ability to read and interpret these texts in relation to a knowledge of Greek culture.

Key Skills:

  • A grasp of the differences between two Indo-European languages, one ancient and one modern, and of the issues relating to moving between them, in relation to verse texts.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Interactive classes will be offered as the most appropriate and effective way of teaching.
  • Students will learn through regular preparation for the classes and interaction with the teacher and each other in the process of learning.
  • The course will be assessed through an exam paper and a summative essay, each of which will be designed to test knowledge and interpretation of the set texts at Advanced level 2.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Seminars (language classes)442 per week1 hour44Yes
Preparation and Reading156 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: EssayComponent Weighting: 30%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Essay2500 words100 
Component: ExaminationComponent Weighting: 70%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Written examination2 hours100 

Formative Assessment

Homework in the form of translations and/or commentaries to be prepared in advance of every class. Formative tests in class. No collections.

More information

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