Learning objectives
- Knowledge and ability to understand: students will acquire knowledge and understanding skills in the field of Greek literature, with the acquisition of a solid knowledge of its diachronic development, then the basic concepts of comparative and historical linguistics and Indo-European studies, laying stress on society, poetry, religion.
- Knowledge and understanding skills applied: the students will be able to apply the knowledge and understanding skills useful to the institutional preparation of Greek literature; then, to comment on the texts of the course and to make connections among the Indo-European languages and cultures within the scientific method. Appropriate skills will be acquired to understand the most conspicuous problems of interpretation, through the possession of bibliographic tools. Ability to understand and skills in solving problems related to new or unfamiliar subjects, belonging to larger or interdisciplinary contexts related to their field of study will be strengthened.
- Autonomy of judgment: students will develop the ability to collect and interpret data useful for determining independent judgments in Greek literature and Indo-European languages and cultures, including transversal reflections on cultural and intercultural, scientific or ethical issues related to them. They will be able to integrate knowledge, manage complexity and make judgments based on limited or incomplete information.
- Communication skills: thanks to the attention for communication skills and in particular on the development and use of mediation skills, students will be able to communicate certain information. They will be able to formulate conclusions clearly, supported by knowledge. They will also be able to explain the underlying rationale behind their conclusions.
- Ability to learn: thanks to the general teaching system, students will develop the learning skills necessary to continue to study, in an autonomous and predominantly self-directed way, in ongoing and continuous training courses.
Prerequisites
GL mod. A: there will be a preparatory course ("Greco zero"), addressed to those who have not previously dealt with the study of the Greek language. The previous basic knowledge of Greek language and literature is not mandatory.
IEC: no specific requirements.
Course unit content
Greek Literature (= GL) "GL mod. A": Euripides' Iphigenia in Aulis: text and interpretation.
Indoeuropean civilization (= IEC):
– Foundations of historical linguistics: language families and genealogical classification.
– Indo-European languages and culture: description, geography, history and sources.
– Old Persian in the Frame of Indo-European: foundations of grammar, linguistics and reconstruction, introduction to the cuneiform script.
– The Great Inscription of Behištun by Darius I the Great: reading, translation and commentary. The prelude of the Greco-Persian wars.
Full programme
https://elly2024.dusic.unipr.it
Bibliography
GL mod. A: For the text and the translation of the work above mentioned, reference editions will be recommended at the beginning of the course. For the institutional part of the examination: History of Greek literature; three works at choice; optionally, an essay at choice) and see the extended program (PDF online at ELLY).
IEC:– – In-class notes, teaching materials and exercises on Elly.
– MILIZIA, Paolo. 2002. Le lingue indoeuropee. Roma: Carocci. ISBN 978-88-430-2330-1.
– BENVENUTO, Maria Carmela & POMPEO, Flavia. 2022. La lingua degli antichi Persiani. Milano: Hoepli. ISBN 978-88-20-3945-16 (this book will be used for in-class work, students are required to hold it before lectures begin).
Further personal readings:
– LURAGHI, Silvia. 2016 [2021]. Introduzione alla linguistica storica. 2ª ed. Roma: Carocci. ISBN 978-88-290-0531-4.
– WIESEHÖFER, Josef. 2003. La Persia antica. Bologna: Il Mulino. ISBN 978-88-15-09031-7.
– SCHMITT, Rüdiger. 1991. The Bisitun Inscription of Darius the Great. Old Persian Text. London: School of Oriental and African Studies.
Teaching methods
GL mod. A: The teaching method in use is appropriate to the specific needs of the subject which requires the communication of the main course contents through classes; discussion with the students about textual and exegetical problems; tutorial programs for the students.
IEC: Traditional lecture with in-class and home exercises of analysis and reconstruction. Because the course is both introductory and technical, students are warmly invited to an active participation.
Assessment methods and criteria
GL mod. A: students will be assessed by an oral examination based on the readings and other material used in the course and that will be administered at the end of the course. The assessment aims to test: 1) proper knowledge and critical understanding of the main themes of the history of the Greek literature (6/12 CFU); 2) oral proficiency; correct use of language; ability to give proper answers to the questions. In more detail:
a fail is determined by the lack of an understanding of the minimum content of the course, the inability to express oneself adequately, by a lack of autonomous preparation, the inability to solve problems related to information retrieval and the decoding of complex texts, as well as an inability to make independent judgments. A pass (18-23/30) is determined by the student’s possession of the minimum, fundamental contents of the course, an adequate level of autonomous preparation and ability to solve problems related to information retrieval and the decoding of complex texts, as well as an acceptable level of ability in making independent judgments. Middle-range scores (24-27/30) are assigned to the student who produces evidence of a more than sufficient level (24-25/30) or good level (26-27/30) in the evaluation indicators listed above. Higher scores (from 28/30 to 30/30 cum laude) are awarded on the basis of the student’s demonstration of a very good or excellent level in the evaluation indicators listed above.
IEC: Final oral examination based that aims at testing (1) the knowledge of the comparative and historical method within Indo-European studies, (2) linguistic analysis and reconstruction skills, and (3) clear exposition and argumentation with the use of the technical vocabulary. More in detail:
– a fail depends on a lack of knowledge of the basic fundamental contents, a lack of technical vocabulary and failure in resolving the proposed exercises, a lack of autonomous judgement, analysis, argumentation and communication of the contents;
– scores 18–23/30 reveal minimal performance;
– scores 24–25/30 reveal an adequate performance;
– scores 28–30/30 reveal a very good performance and 30/30 cum laude reveals an excellent performance.
Other information
The course is in blended mode.
Anyway, it is highly recommended to attend it, since GL can be new, and IEC is certainly new, regarding the high school disciplines.
Because the course is both introductory and technical, students are warmly invited to an active participation.
Lectures and in-class exercises consist of an occasion for strengthening and self-evaluation of the program. Students who cannot regularly attend lectures can download all the materials from Elly2024 and can autonomously use the textbooks indicated as "further readings" in the bibliography section. Thus, they can take the exam as described in the specific section of this syllabus.
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
