CLAS40630: Greek Text Seminar

• Ability to read Greek independently, with appropriate supporting tools, to such a level as would be expected from a student who has studied Greek for at least two one years as an undergraduate (or equivalent).

• None.

• CLAS40430

• In accordance with the general aims of the MA in Classics, to promote independent reading and self-directed research in the study of a Greek text or texts for students who have received appropriate linguistic training in their previous studies.

• The precise content changes yearly, depending on the text(s) studied, but typically students will be asked to prepare up to ca.100 lines of verse or 5 Oxford Classical Text pages of prose per fortnightly seminar, and also to read selections from the scholarly literature and from other relevant primary texts each fortnight. By the end of the module, students may expect to have read the equivalent in terms of length of one book of epic in verse or one forensic speech in prose, and should also have read a substantial proportion of the relevant scholarly discussion of that work.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• The module builds on the students' prior knowledge of Greek and it consists of the intensive study of a particular Greek text or closely related group of texts. Since the background of the students varies from year to year, the text or texts chosen will be decided at the start of each year, taking into account any texts already read by the group, the research interests of the instructor, and the availability of relevant secondary literature. By the end of the module, students should have acquired a familiarity with the linguistic, rhetorical, generic and literary aspects of the text or texts studied, along with a comprehensive understanding of the scholarly literature on the interpretation of the text(s).

Subject-specific Skills:

• Students will develop the ability to discover, by means of independent research, the outlines of scholarly debate on a particular text or set of texts, and to participate in that debate by drawing on textual, linguistic and historical data to support their positions, and to learn how to present a cogent interpretation of a Greek text. Students will also learn how to evaluate and criticise competing interpretations of Greek texts

Key Skills:

• The analytical and interpretative skills required for the successful completion of this module are transferable to any field which demands the ability to evaluate widely disparate kinds of information, to weigh the merits of competing interpretations, and to formulate a cogent argument. Student should further develop their writing skills and be able to demonstrate good presentation skills. Students will be expected to acquire competency in the use of relevant bibliographical and digital tools and resources.

• Teaching will be by fortnightly seminar, in which students will be expected to actively participate. Material that students prepare for the class may, with appropriate development, form the basis of written assignments.
• Formative assessment might be expected to consist of an essay and sample commentary on up to 50 lines of text. The essay should show awareness of relevant scholarly literature on the text and include a methodological statement on the students approach to commentary work.
• Summative assessment will be by one 5,000-word submission comprising: a short introductory essay on a key issue in the interpretation of the text being commented upon and a commentary on up to 100 lines of the text. Submissions should demonstrate the connection between close reading (as exemplified by the commentary) and overall discussions of key aspects of the chosen text(s) (as explored in the essay).

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our Help page. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the Help page, or a query about the on-line Postgraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.