Undergraduate Course: Greek Literature of the Roman Empire (GREE10029)
Course Outline
| School |
School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College |
College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits |
20 |
| Home subject area |
Greek |
Other subject area |
None |
| Course website |
None
|
Taught in Gaelic? |
No |
| Course description |
This course will examine Greek literature of the period commonly termed the Second Sophistic. Two prose texts will be read in depth: Longus' pastoral novel 'Daphnis and Chloe', which describes two young rustics and their quest to consummate their love, and Lucian's satirical 'The True Histories', one of the first works of science fiction. The course will set these texts within the cultural and literary phenomena which characterise the Second Sophistic, and will discuss them according to the characteristics of their respective genres. Particular attention will be paid to the rhetorical and philosophical aspects of the texts and their allusive play with literary predecessors. Close attention will also be paid to narrative structure and prose style and diction. |
Entry Requirements
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites |
|
| Prohibited Combinations |
|
Other requirements |
None
|
| Additional Costs |
Three books: two at £7.99 each, and one at £18. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites |
Visiting students should usually have at least 3 courses in Classics related subject matter (at least 2 of which should be in Ancient Greek) at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this) for entry to this course. We will only consider University/College level courses, but Elementary or Intermediate Greek courses will not count. Students beyond Intermediate level but with less Greek than the prerequisite should consider either Greek 2A/2B. |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course students should be able to:
- Demonstrate (in the essay and exam) a clear knowledge of the language and style of Greek prose works of the Roman Imperial period as evident in the works of Longus and Lucian.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristic aspects of the Greek Novel, Greek pastoral, and Greek satirical and historiographical writings.
- Show a clear awareness of the main literary, cultural and rhetorical phenomena and innovations which mark literature of the Second Sophistic.
- Discuss allusions to literary, cultural and philosophical predecessors in the works of Longus and Lucian.
- Write a sound, well-researched and clearly argued essay on aspects of the primary literature studied.
- Present a short presentation on a section of the original text.
|
Assessment Information
One Essay (3,000 words max.) - 40%;
one (2-hour) Degree Examination - 60%.
Visiting Student Variant Assessment
One Essay (3,000 words max.) - 40%.
Subject-Area administered Exam/Exercise in lieu of Degree Examination - to take place in Week 12 (see the current course handbook for further details) - 60%. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords |
Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser |
Prof Andrew Erskine
Tel: (0131 6)50 3591
Email: Andrew.Erskine@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Ms Elaine Hutchison
Tel: (0131 6)50 3582
Email: E.Hutchison@ed.ac.uk |
|
|
University Homepage