Module Catalogue 2024/25

CAC3054 : Epic Journeys: The Odyssey and Homeric Epic (stage 3) (Inactive)

CAC3054 : Epic Journeys: The Odyssey and Homeric Epic (stage 3) (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Susanna Phillippo
  • Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The Odyssey: marvellous voyage with a fairy-tale ending, or grim battle for survival in a world of shifting rules? The Homeric epics derive from a long oral tradition, and while they stand at the very beginning of western literature, they are complex and multi-faceted works which have been interpreted in many different ways. This module will examine the Odyssey in the context of the early Greek epic tradition surrounding the Trojan War legend, and, more specifically, will explore its relationship with the other great Homeric epic, the Iliad, studying the parallels and contrasts between portrayals of heroes and heroism, narrative technique, characterization and emotion, and thematic design.

The module aims to train students to use details of a text for analysis and appreciation of:
•Stylistic and narrative design and effects
•Thematic patterns
•The handling of emotional impact
•The handling of character portrayal and of audience sympathies

The module aims to teach students to:
•Identify characteristic features of Homeric narrative technique, including those which reflect the Odyssey’s and the Iliad’s status as works designed for oral performance.
•Explore how these may work for an audience in a performance context, especially in terms of emotional and dramatic effect.
•To develop students’ capacity for independent exploration and analysis of a literary text.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus covers the following topics concerning Homeric epic, as these are manifested in the Odyssey, with comparison to the way similar elements and approaches are manifested in the Iliad at selected points:
Questions of design
Narrative technique:
•plot and thematic patterns
•narrative patterns
•description and narrative
•building themes
•handling narrative climaxes
•presentation of character
The heroic world
Immortals and mortality

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of this module students should have:
-developed an understanding and appreciation of narrative techniques as employed in Homeric epic poetry
-developed an understanding of the way such techniques work in oral performance
explored the diverse ways and varying directions in which a poet may direct an audience’s reaction to characters and events in a narrative, and the possible role in this process of cultural ideas, values and ethics different to their own.

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of this module students should have:
-further developed their skills in critical analysis and appreciation of textual detail;
-further developed skills in relating analysis of such detail to larger thematic, narrative and aesthetic questions about a text as a whole;
-further developed their ability to apply these skills to comparisonbetween related texts;
-further developed their communication skills, particularly through class discussion and seminars;
-developed skills of initiative in undertaking a short ‘independent study’ assignment requiring them to apply analytical skills from a comparative angle.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion601:0060:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture241:0024:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading491:0049:00N/A
Structured Guided LearningAcademic skills activities81:008:00Activities linked to weekly lecture/workshop/seminar topics
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching32:006:00Seminars
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops31:003:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study501:0050:00N/A
Total200:00
Jointly Taught With
Code Title
CAC2054Epic Journeys: The Odyssey and Homeric Epic (stage 2)
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures (which also mostly include group work on applying lecture themes to specific passages) are designed to introduce students to overall approaches to the text, its techniques and its cultural background, and to illustrate to students how these ideas may be applied to the exploration of textual detail (and vice versa), giving students the opportunity to try this latter approach also for themselves.

Workshops give the students the opportunity to apply close reading techniques to excerpts from the texts.

Seminars are designed to give students the opportunity to engage with issues about and approaches to the text for themselves, both in preparing an oral presentation and in preparing to participate in discussion; and also to develop students' skills of oral and interpersonal communication.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination14402A6024-hour take-home paper. Word limit: 2,000.
Exam Pairings
Module Code Module Title Semester Comment
Epic Journeys: The Odyssey and Homeric Epic (stage 2)2N/A
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay2M40Essay of 2,000 words
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Oral Presentation2MPreparation of material to present to in-class group in seminars.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The examination will comprise a choice of commentary and essay questions.

Commentary questions assess students’ capacity to analyse passages in detail, usually as a basis for discussing characteristic features of the text as a whole. Essay questions assess students’ ability to assemble their knowledge of the text(s) studied into a coherent discussion of key overall questions about the text.
The open book format tests the students' skills of working within a restricted time-frame to a specific tight brief, while allowing them to consult the range of primary material necessary for a strong detailed analysis.

The assignment assesses the additional Stage-3 skills outcome of initiative in independent application of analytical skills. This involves a comparative approach to texts read independently, hence requiring more word count space.

Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending semester 1 only are required to finish their assessment while in Newcastle. Where an exam is present, an alternative form of assessment will be set and where coursework is present, an alternative deadline will be set. Details of the alternative assessment will be provided by the module leader.

Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending the whole academic year or semester 2 are required to complete the standard assessment as set out in the MOF under all circumstances.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

The Odyssey: marvellous voyage with a fairy-tale ending, or grim battle for survival in a world of shifting rules? The Homeric epics derive from a long oral tradition, and while they stand at the very beginning of western literature, they are complex and multi-faceted works which have been interpreted in many different ways: the Odyssey has been seen as a women’s novel and a proto road-movie among other things! Secrets and lies, quests and questions, enigmas and marvels: this course aims to examine the range of elements, moods and effects that go to make up what has been termed the world’s first great adventure story. We shall also explore the relationship between the Odyssey and the other great Homeric epic, the Iliad, studying the parallels and contrasts between portrayals of heroes and heroism, narrative technique, characterization and emotion, and thematic design.

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