Ateneo - UPO

Introduction to Greek Literature, with a particular focus on the relationship between myth and poetry, and an introduction to the language and literature of the Latin Archaic and Republican periods.

Greek Section:

Homer, Odyssey, edited by F. Ferrari, UTET Libreria; alternatively Homer, Odyssey, edited by V. Di Benedetto, BUR.
Greek Theatre. Tragedies. Radici, BUR. ISBN 88-17-00971-7; alternatively The Greek Tragedians: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, edited by F.M. Pontani and others, ISBN 978-8854117112, Newton Compton 2010, €14.
Aristotle, Poetics, edited by D. Lanza, BUR.
Aristophanes, The Women's Festival, edited by G. Paduano, BUR (there is a translation without notes available online: link).
A. Beltrametti, Greek Literature, Rome, Carocci 2005 (€26, ISBN 9788843033041).
A. Ercolani, Hesiod: Works and Days, Rome 2010, Carocci (ISBN 9788843055937).
C. Neri, Sappho: Testimonies and Fragments, Berlin, De Gruyter 2021 (ISBN 9783110739367).
E. Medda, Aeschylus: Agamemnon. Critical Edition, Translation and Commentary, Rome, Bollettino dei Classici (National Academy of the Lincei. Supplement) (ISBN 9788821811524).
Latin Section:

a) Literature:
P. Fedeli, E. Malaspina, L. Antonelli, The Words of Rome: History of Latin Literature, UTET 2023.

b) Language:
M. P. Ciuffarella - A. Diotti, InGenio: Latin Lessons 1-2, Mondadori Educational, Milan 2021.

Additional Requirement for Non-attending Students:

Guglielmo Cavallo, Writing and Reading in the Ancient City, Carocci 2019.

Objectives - Knowledge and Understanding:
Basic knowledge of Greek archaic and classical poetry genres (epic, lyric, tragedy, comedy), key Greek myths, performance contexts, and Aristotle’s interpretation of these genres.
Understanding of Latin morphology and basic syntax, alongside essential knowledge of Latin literature and its authors up to the Augustan Age.
Awareness of the educational goals of studying Latin, particularly in relation to teaching Italian in secondary schools.
Advanced ability to connect thematic and formal aspects across the texts studied.

Objectives - Application of Knowledge:
Ability to develop and support arguments in interpreting Greek archaic and classical poetry, considering ancient poetic theories.
Ability to translate Latin prose, assessed through a written exam.
Ability to critically evaluate interpretations of Latin literary texts (in Italian translation), with emphasis on historical and political contexts.
Objectives - Critical Judgment:
Ability to assess interpretations of Greek archaic and classical poetry (in Italian translation), focusing on myths, historical context, and performance aspects.

Objectives - Communication Skills:
Ability to present learned concepts clearly and logically, using appropriate language understandable to non-specialists, avoiding rote memorization, and demonstrating personal reasoning.

Objectives - Study Skills:
Ability to gather relevant data from course texts to interpret other Greek works within the same literary genres.
Ability to apply acquired tools and methods to translate Latin texts and analyze literary works.

To take this exam, basic computer skills, such as internet navigation and the use of files on DIR, are required. Additionally, a good command of the Italian language is necessary, along with fundamental knowledge of ancient history and Mediterranean geography, as taught in high school.

A prior knowledge of Latin is not required. However, the exam can only be taken by individuals who can demonstrate that they graduated from a high school where Latin was either not taught or only included in the first two years. Alternatively, individuals who graduated more than 15 years ago (or 20 years ago for single courses) at the time of enrollment are eligible. Delaying the exam tactically will not be permitted. In cases of second degrees, the exam can be included only if the previous academic background aligns with these conditions and no credits were earned in SSD L-FIL-LET/04. Copies of diplomas and prior study plans will be required for verification.

For students who do not meet these criteria, the exams "Latin Literature" and "Introduction to Greek Literary Civilization" must be included without exception.

For any doubts or questions, students are encouraged to consult the "FAQs" section on the professor’s UpoBook page: https://upobook.uniupo.it/alice.borgna.

Lectures on Literature, language lessons and exercises, tutoring sessions, and online teaching.

Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (DSA), or Special Educational Needs (BES) can request dedicated services and tools by contacting the Staff for Career Development and Student Services. They should also consult the dedicated page on the University’s website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studenti-disabili-e-dsa.

Once they have been in touch with the University’s Staff (and not before), students may then contact the course instructor regarding the exam arrangements and any educational considerations.

For the Greek section, the final exam is a written test covering: knowledge of essential aspects of myth in various literary genres (e.g., "How is myth presented in one of the texts studied?" – 33% of the final grade); knowledge of literary history (e.g., "In what historical, geographical, and performance context was one of the studied works presented to the ancient audience?" – 16.5%); understanding of ancient literary theories discussed in class (e.g., "How does Aristotle define tragedy/epic/art/historiography/the unity of an artwork/catharsis/pity and fear/tragic guilt?" – 16.5%); and the ability to form judgments on the studied works based on the literary theories discussed (e.g., "Does Aristotle's theory adequately address the interpretive issues of one of the works studied?" – 33%). The final grade will reflect the depth of knowledge and understanding of the texts, the ability to apply these insights to interpretive challenges, and the clarity of expression and communication. Honors will be awarded for deep, independent critical reflection on course content.

For the Latin section, the exam consists of a written Latin language test (60% of the final grade) and an oral literature exam (40%). The written test assesses knowledge of Latin morphology with some syntax (60% of the written test) and the ability to translate a Latin text into prose (40%). It lasts 3 hours and includes a 1-hour grammar test (without a dictionary) and a 2-hour translation (with a dictionary). To pass, a minimum score of 18/30 is required in both parts.

The written test can be replaced by three in-class tests during the course. Students who pass all three tests with an average of at least 18/30 will proceed directly to the oral exam. Those with an average between 16 and 18/30 in two tests will not need to retake the written exam but will have an additional grammar component at the oral, agreed upon with the instructor.

Only attending students may take the oral literature exam before passing the written exam. Non-attending students must pass the written exam before proceeding to the oral. Written and oral exams cannot be taken on the same day.

In the Greek section, the course introduces Greek literary civilization through readings in Italian translation and interpretations of key texts, including Homer's Odyssey (Books 8-12), selections from Greek lyric poetry (with a focus on Sappho and Pindar), Aeschylus (Agamemnon, Prometheus), Sophocles (Oedipus Rex, Antigone), Euripides (Medea, Hippolytus, Bacchae), Aristophanes (The Women's Festival), and Aristotle (Poetics). The course includes eight units covering each of these authors and their works.

In the Latin section, the literature component consists of several units, beginning with the periodization of Latin literature and the transmission of classics, including the comedic theatre of Plautus and Terence, Lucretius’s De Rerum Natura, and the lyric poetry of Catullus. The course also explores Roman historiography, Cicero, the literature of the Augustan age, and elegy in Rome, featuring poets like Tibullus, Propertius, and Ovid.

The language component includes extensive grammar and syntax topics over 18 units, addressing everything from declensions and verb conjugations to the use of pronouns and adverbial phrases.

Non-attending students must supplement this program with additional texts (refer to "textbooks"). Additionally, all students in individual courses must complete an extra exam on Latin prosody.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Basic Level:

Language Component: Ability to understand, translate, and interpret simple Latin prose texts at an elementary level. Students will be assessed on their comprehension and judgment of key elements of Latin heritage in the Italian language.

Literature Component: Ability to navigate the historical development of Greek and Latin literature, recognizing significant aspects of the authors studied and situating them in their historical-cultural context and respective literary genres. Students should express judgments on texts and their critical interpretations, discussing the reasons and limitations with a focus on historical-political perspectives. They will demonstrate the ability to present concepts and data clearly and coherently, using appropriate language and avoiding rote memorization, while engaging autonomously with the themes covered for effective communication.

Advanced Level:

Language Component: Ability to understand, translate, and interpret simple Latin prose texts clearly and accurately. Students will demonstrate deep comprehension and nuanced judgment of the key elements of Latin heritage in the Italian language.

Literature Component: Proficiency in navigating the historical development of Greek and Latin literature and in analyzing the intricate aspects of the authors studied, placing them accurately within their historical-cultural contexts and literary genres. Students will articulate detailed judgments on texts and their critical interpretations, engaging critically with their reasons and limitations, especially from historical-political viewpoints. They will exhibit the ability to present concepts and data in an articulate, clear, and sophisticated manner, using rich and appropriate language, while avoiding rote memorization and engaging autonomously with the themes for effective pedagogical communication.