Greek: Epics and Lyrics

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The course encompasses reading of primarily epical and lyrical texts from the Archaic period (750-480 B.C.), but poetical texts from the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman eras may also feature. In addition, an introduction to Greek historical linguistics is included (with particular emphasis on the main features of the Greek dialects and literary language), as well as a study of Greek metre, an overview of Greek religion and mythology, and further study of Greek literary history (with particular emphasis on the authors read in the original).

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

The candidate has

  • increased knowledge of Greek language and grammar with emphasis on language history, dialect groups, kunstsprache and metre
  • increased knowledge of Greek literary history with emphasis on epic and lyric poetry

Skills

The candidate can

  • read metrical Greek texts independently with the aid of a dictionary
  • identify forms and analyse sentences in Greek with the aid of a grammar
  • give an account of important Greek poets

General competence

The candidate can

  • acquaint herself with the grammatical structure of a new language
  • work with texts in other languages with the aid of grammars, dictionaries, commentaries and similar aids.

ECTS Credits

15

Level of Study

Bachelor

Semester of Instruction

Autumn

Place of Instruction

Bergen
Required Previous Knowledge
GRE101 or an equivalent level of knowledge and skill
Recommended Previous Knowledge
We recommend that the students have taken the exam in GRE102 before taking the exam in GRE104.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
None
Access to the Course
The course is open to everyone with study right at the University of Bergen.
Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is given in the form of lectures on parts of the course literature, with a particular introduction to metre and language history.

The course offers ca. 52 hours of teaching (two 2-hour sessions a week).

If less than five students register to a course, the Department may introduce reduced teaching; cf. the relevant guidelines on Mitt UiB (Canvas). On courses where reduced teaching may be given, the students will receive information at the start of the semester, before the 1. Feb. / 1. Sept. deadline for registering.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
None
Forms of Assessment

The examination consists in an oral test, during which the candidate will read, translate and analyse metrical texts included in the course literature, and answer questions pertinent to the texts read and to other course literature.

The exam assignment will be given in the language of instruction in the course.

The exam can be given in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading Scale
The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade, grade F is a fail.
Assessment Semester
Autumn
Reading List
The course literature encompasses about 45 pages of Greek poetical text (30 lines = 1 page), studied in commented editions. In addition, systematic expositions of Greek historical linguistics and metre and an introduction to Greek religion and mythology are included.
Course Evaluation
Students evaluate the course in accordance with the quality assurance system at UiB and the Department.
Examination Support Material
None
Programme Committee
The programme board of Classical Philology
Course Coordinator
Faculty representatives from Classical Philology
Course Administrator
Department of linguistic, literary and aesthetic studies