B1666 - Greek Literature and its Modern Reception (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is expected to know the most important authors and works of the ancient Greek literature, focusing on the different genres and the cultural context. Besides, she/he will be able to assess their influence on Italian and European literature during the modern and contemporary age: 'reception' will be investigated in a wide range of meanings, from translation to original works inspired by the literature of the ancient Greek culture.

Course contents

War and Peace: From Athens to the 'future'.

1. Introduction to the ancient Greek literature and its modern reception.

2. Aristophanes, Acharnians - Knights - Lysistrata

3. Ilan Hatzor, War over the house

4. Further examples of modern reception of Aristophanes' comedies (possible papers presented by the students)

The ancient Greek texts and the modern text will be read in an English translation.

Readings/Bibliography

1. Lecture notes, slides.

2. K.J. Dover (and others), Ancient Greek Literature, Oxford 1980.

3. Aristophanes. Acharnians, Wasps, Knights, Peace. A verse translation, with introductions and notes, translated by Stephen Halliwell, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2023 (only Acharnians and Knights).

4. Aristophanes. Birds, Lysistrata, Women at the Thesmophoria, edited and translated by Jeffrey Henderson, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2014.

5. The text of I. Hatzor, War over the House will be provided by the professor.

Additional readings for non-attending students: Stephanie Nelson, Aristophanes and his tragic muse: comedy, tragedy and the polis in 5th century Athens, Leiden-Boston: Brill, 2016.

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars.

Assessment methods

Test.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

The attending students can present a paper (about 30 mins) to the class during the last part of the course: the student will suggest and find the topic within the arguments of the course. The final test consists in an oral interview which has the aim of evaluating the critical and methodological ability of the students. The students will be invited to discuss the texts on the course programme. The student must demonstrate an appropriate knowledge of the bibliography in the course programme.

Final tests will be scheduled in these months: 1) January, 2) February, 3) June, 4) July, 5) September, 6) October/November.

 

Assessment.

18-22 The student has a mnemonic and general knowledge of the texts and topics. The student scarcely uses terms and language of literary criticism.

23-27 The student has a good knowledge of the texts and topics. The student mostly uses terms and language of literary criticism.

28-30 The student has a complete knowledge of the texts and topics. The student always uses terms and language of literary criticism in an appropriate way.

30L The student has a complete and accurate knowledge of the texts and topics. The student always uses terms and language of literary criticism in an appropriate way. The student can efford a personal contribution to the subjects of the course.

Teaching tools

Texts, slides, copies uploaded to "Virtuale".

Office hours

See the website of Mattia De Poli