GRK30110 Greek Texts: Epic

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module studies Book 1 of Homer's Iliad, to be read in the original Greek. The book deals with the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon, and introduces the main themes of the Iliad including heroism, political conflict, and the role of the gods. Classes will be devoted to reading the text and discussing points of interest. Students will be expected to prepare a section of the text for each class, and to be able to translate and discuss it.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
* translate the text with confidence and accuracy;
* evaluate modern interpretations of the text;
* answer questions on specific points in the text;
* construct a relevant and analytical essay on the text.

Indicative Module Content:

We will read and discuss about 40 lines of the text in each class.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

18
Specified Learning Activities

54
Autonomous Student Learning

28
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module is taught in small classes, typically 2-3 students, and focuses on reading the text in Greek and discussing points of interest. There will be 18 classes in total. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students taking this module should have at least a year’s experience of Greek language study.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: 1,500-word essay. Students taking the module as part of a research degree programme shall do another class test instead of the essay. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

30
Class Test: 50-minute test (translation and comment) Week 11 n/a Graded No

35
Class Test: 50-minute test (translation and comment) Week 5 n/a Graded No

35

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

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive detailed individual feedback on all their assignments.

Prescribed Text

Seth L. Schein (ed.), Homer: Iliad Book 1 (Cambridge University Press, 2022)

The edition by Simon Pulleyn (Oxford University Press, 2000) is also useful, and has a vocabulary.

Recommended Secondary Literature

J. Griffin, Homer (Oxford, 1980)
M.S. Silk, Homer: The Iliad (Cambridge, 1987; 2nd ed., 2004)
B. Graziosi, Homer: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford, 2019)
J.S. Burgess, Homer (London, 2015)
W. Allan, Homer: The Iliad (London, 2013)
A. Kahane, Homer: A Guide for the Perplexed (London, 2012)
S.L. Schein, The Mortal Hero: An Introduction to Homer’s Iliad (Berkeley, 1984)
B.B. Powell, Homer (Oxford, 2004)
D.L. Cairns (ed.), Oxford Readings in Homer’s Iliad (Oxford, 2001)
M.W. Edwards, Homer: Poet of the Iliad (Baltimore & London, 1987)
R.L. Fowler (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Homer (Cambridge, 2004)
Name Role
Ms Suzanne Lynch Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 09:00 - 09:50
Spring