Fall 2009

Day & Time:  Tuesday 9:00-10:45

Location:  Room 118

Prof. Marco Conti

Email:  marcocnt@yahoo.co.uk

Office & Office Hours:  TBA

Course Description:

This course is centered on Herodotus and his essential role in the development of historiography as an independent literary genre within Greek literature in general, and within 5^th century Greek literature in particular.

The course will have two main aspects:

1)      A theoretical/literary one, which will be concerned with the main issues regarding Herodotus as a cultural figure and a writer: his position in the context of 5^th century Greek literature; his sources and literary models; his style; his narrative technique; the organization and structure of his work; his political and philosophical ideas; his relationship with religion.

2)       A linguistic and philological one, which will involve a reading, study and discussion of passages in Greek from Herodotus’ Histories.

Outcome: 

Students will be able to translate passages in Greek by Herodotus, and comment on them by analyzing the syntactical structure, the style, the historical content and context, the sources and literary models, the philosophical and religious influences.

Learning Objectives

1. Students will acquire a knowledge of 5^th century Greek literature in general, and of the role played by historiography in this context.

2.  Students will be able to appraise how Herodotus treats and develops his historical matter.

3.  Students will learn how to analyze and examine a passage by Herodotus in its different aspects: literary, textual, historical, stylistic.

Learning Activities

1.  Discussion in class of the different issues concerning Herodotus and his historical work.

2. Examination of the culture and political situation in Greece in the 5^th century.

3. Comparison of Herodotus’ work with other contemporary poetical, philosophical and historical works.

4. Reading of passage by Herodotus in Greek with a close examination of the grammar, syntax and literary style.

Evaluation Methods: 

Evaluation will include participation, homework, a midterm and a final exam.

Grade Breakdown:               

• Participation                                                     10%
• Midterm Exam                                                  30 %
• Homework                                                       10%
• Final exam                                                       50%
• Total:                                                              100%

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is mandatory. Three (3) unexcused absences will result in the lowering of your final letter grade by one complete grade. (For example, an A will drop to a B, an A- to a B-, etc.) Four or more unexcused absences may result in failure for the course.  Please see the Dean’s office to have your absences officially excused.

Required Texts:

Photocopies of passages from Herodotus’ Histories and of critical readings will be provided by instructor.