Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims:
1. To further develop students' skills in reading, interpreting and analysing original literary texts in Greek;
2. to further develop students' knowledge and understanding of the nature of specific Greek literary texts, and of problems and issues involved in the study of those texts;
3. to familiarise students with a range of resources (traditional and digital) employed in the advanced study of Greek literary texts.

Outline Of Syllabus

Students taking this module will undertake work on literary texts in the original Greek. The particular texts will be determined on a yearly basis, taking into account the need to avoid overlap between a student's Stages 2 and 3 (and, where relevant, their Master's stage).

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students who complete this course should acquire, to a more advanced level than at Level 2:
1. the ability to read, understand, translate and critically comment on Greek texts (seen and unseen);
2. the ability to consolidate and put into practice sound knowledge of Greek grammar and vocabulary;
3. an awareness of the difficulties involved in translating from one language into another;
4. to show a clear understanding of the chosen set text in terms of style, function, content;
5. to understand literary works and their historical/cultural context.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. To translate a range of Greek texts fluently and accurately into clear and appropriate English;
2. to analyse and critically reflect upon literary texts in their original language;
3. to use a range of resources required for scholarly study of ancient Greek texts;
4. to recognise patterns (whether linguistic, stylistic, thematic or conceptual);
5. to apply learned knowledge and skills (selectively, where appropriate) in the completion of the module’s different assessment components.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Classes are largely student-led, and provide the opportunity to collaboratively read, review and discuss the prescribed text(s) by continuous monitoring of students' translation of the set text by round-the-class translation; practice in critical analysis and appreciation of the set texts; at the same time students will also further refine existing skills in:
- identifying and understanding a range of Greek linguistic and syntactical features;
- translating Greek into clear and fluent English;
- literary analysis;
- use of scholarly resources such as commentaries, apparatus criticus etc.

Structured learning activities will hone the students' ability to engage critically with scholarship on the set text and to discuss it in a constructive manner They will provide students with the opportunity to:
- acquire knowledge and understanding of broader themes, ideas and contexts (whether literary, historical, philosophical, socio-cultural);
- prepare for weekly synchronous sessions;
- further refine discipline-specific technical skills.

Guided independent study is intended as time for:
- skills practice;
- directed reading and research;
- preparing and completing any formative and summative assessments.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Summative assessment is designed to assess students' knowledge and interpretative understanding of the texts studied, with particular reference to the application of their linguistic knowledge and translation skills, and their skills in presenting their views and analyses of key issues regarding the set text(s). The examination is set because an examination is still inevitably the best way of testing translation abilities, and will also test the ability to interpret texts. The research project will assess in more depth students’ ability to interpret and analyse Greek texts, inscribe them into their cultural and political context, and engage critically with relevant secondary literature.

Formative assessments (mainly translation and commentary work set as homework) are designed to review, revise and consolidate (a) key points of grammar and translation skills; (b) skills of close reading and interpretation.


This module can be made available to Erasmus students only with the agreement of the Head of Subject and of the Module Leader. This option must be discussed in person at the beginning of your exchange period. No restrictions apply to study-abroad, exchange and Loyola students.

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.

General Notes

N/A