30367 - Greek Grammar (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

After completing this module the student gains a thorough knowledge of the historical grammar of ancient Greek, and is able to explain the main phenomena of Greek grammar within the frame of Indo-European language system. He/she is able to appreciate literary and stylistic features of the texts analyzed. He/she knows rules and tools of textual criticism and dynamics of the history of tradition, and can assign a place in the history of ancient literature to the texts analyzed and read them critically, in the light of their primary contexts and their ways of transmission. By reading ancient texts relevant to grammar and poetics, he/she becomes familiar with the main trends of ancient Greek reflection on language and literature and is able to estimate its legacy in modern and contemporary art and literature.

Course contents

Special focus

a) Callimachus, Hymn to Apollo.

Core course

b)  Elements of historical Grammar of ancient Greek.

Course timetable: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-6 pm; Room: Aula Pasoli (Via Zamboni 32, 3rd floor).

First lesson: November 16th, 2015 (1st semester, 2nd period).

Readings/Bibliography

a) Lecture notes. For the Greek text, see: Callimachus, ed. R. Pfeiffer, II. Hymni et epigrammata, Oxonii, Clarendon, 1953, 5-113; F. Williams, Callimachus. Hymn to Apollo. A Commentary, Oxford, Clarendon, 1978; M. Asper, Callimachos. Werke, Darmstadt, Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 2004, 394-401; Callimachus. The Hymns, ed. with intr., transl. and comm. by Susan A. Stephens, Oxford, OUP, 2015, 72-99. An Italian translation can be found in Callimaco. Inni Epigrammi Ecale, intr., trad. e note di Giovan Battista D’Alessio, I, Milano, Rizzoli, 2007[4], 78-95; Callimaco. Inno ad Apollo e altre poesie, pref., trad. e note di Maria Paola Funaioli, Novara, Ladolfi, 2012, 18-27; Callimaco. Inni. Chioma di Berenice, a c. di Valeria Gigante Lanzara, Milano, Garzanti, 1984, 12-23. Further readings will be recommended during the course.

b) Lecture notes. The reading of one of the following handbooks is required: L. Heilmann, Grammatica storica della lingua greca, Torino 1963; P. Chantraine, Morphologie historique du grec, Paris 1947; D. Pieraccioni, Morfologia storica della lingua greca, Messina-Firenze 1975.

Teaching methods

After some introductory lectures, the analysis of the text will go on together with the study of the main topics concerning the historical grammar of ancient Greek; in particular, Callimachus' text will be read and translated by the students with the teacher's help (which will give them the opportunity to test the acquired skills and to make themselves familiar with both traditional and IT research tools); all classes will take the form of seminars.
Slides, photocopies and documents distributed through the mailing list of the course.

Assessment methods

A first assessment of the achieved learning outcomes will take place during the course, on the basis of the discussions during the seminars.
The exam will be an oral exam: the teacher will ask the student to read one of the Greek texts examined during the course, to make comments on its language and grammar, and to answer questions concerning the course contents.
Exam registration must be made through AlmaEsami at the following website: https://almaesami.unibo.it/almaesami/welcome.htm

Teaching tools

PC, projector, photocopies.

Links to further information

http://www.unibo.it/docenti/valentina.garulli

Office hours

See the website of Valentina Garulli