GRK30100 Greek Texts: Herodotus

Academic Year 2023/2024

Students will translate and examine selections from the Histories of Herodotus in the original Greek. In Autumn 2023 students will engage with selections from books 1 and 3 of the Histories. In particular, this module will read and translate the Lydian Logos from Book One, as well as some passages from Book 3 concerning the Persian ruler Cambyses (selections from 3.29-38 and 3.61-66). In addition to translation, these passages will be discussed in terms of the wider themes which define the Histories as a whole, including oracles and dreams, Greeks and non-Greeks, and the rise and fall of empires.

Prior to class students are expected to prepare sections of the text as outlined in the reading schedule. This entails translating and, where relevant, reading modern scholarship and commentaries on topics such as: the author’s style, historical views and methodology, key themes in the Histories and modern interpretations of them.

PLEASE NOTE that the School of Classics reserves the right to withdraw modules in the period up to and including the first week of the teaching trimester.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

To successfully complete this module students must demonstrate an ability to:
* accurately translate Herodotus' text from Ancient Greek into English;
* critically engage with modern commentaries and scholarship on Herodotus and the Histories;
* reflect on and answer specific questions about the text and its themes;
* write about the set text at an appropriate level for a level three module as outlined in the UCD grading criteria (if completing the essay rather than sitting a third exam).

Indicative Module Content:

It is expected that students will translate selections from Book 1 of Herodotus.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

18
Specified Learning Activities

100
Autonomous Student Learning

32
Total

150
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is delivered through seminars/tutorials in small groups. Before each class students will prepare their translations of set passages, following the reading schedule set by the module coordinator. As they read they should work to build a list of key vocabulary and flag any issues they may struggle with as they read. In class time will be devoted to translating and discussing the set text and discussing points of historical and literary interest. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students taking this module should have at least one year’s experience of reading unadapted Greek texts


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Class Test: Students will be asked to translate, parse, and comment on a passage from Herodotus. Week 6 n/a Graded No

25
Class Test: Students will be asked to translate, parse, and comment on a passage from Herodotus. Week 12 n/a Graded No

25
Essay: Students must complete an essay or commentary of c.2,000 words. Graduate students taking the module as part of a research degree will complete a third in-class test instead. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

30
Continuous Assessment: Two homework assignments will be set by the module coordinator and submitted via Brightspace in weeks 3 and 9. Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided students within 20 working days from the date of the exam or submission of coursework.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 11:00 - 11:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn