Ateneo - UPO

Introduction to Greek Literary Civilization and Themes and Issues in Latin Language and Literature

(1) Omero, Odissea, a cura di F. Ferrari, UTET Libreria; in alternativa Omero, Odissea, a cura di V. Di Benedetto, BUR (2) Il teatro greco. Tragedie. Radici BUR. ISBN 88-17-00971-7; in alternativa I tragici greci. Eschilo, Sofocle, Euripide (a cura di F.M. Pontani e altri), ISBN 978-8854117112 Newton Compton 2010, euro 14. (3) Aristotele, Poetica, a cura di D. Lanza, BUR. (4) Aristofane, La festa delle donne, a cura di G. Paduano, BUR (esiste una traduzione senza note disponibile on line: http://www.filosofico.net/aristoffestadem42.htm). (5) A. Beltrametti, La letteratura greca, Roma, Carocci 2005 (Euro 26, ISBN 9788843033041). (6) A. Ercolani. Esiodo. Opere e giorni. Roma 2010. Carocci (ISBN 9788843055937). (7) C. Neri, Saffo. Testimonianze e frammenti. Berlin, De Gruyter. 2021. (ISBN 9783110739367). (8) E. Medda, Eschilo. Agamennone. Edizione critica, traduzione e commento. Roma, Bollettino dei Classici (Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei. Supplemento). (ISBN 9788821811524). - Gianluca De Sanctis, La religione a Roma, Carocci, 2012 (ultima ristampa 2021), ISBN 9788843066391 - Federico Santangelo, La religione dei Romani, Laterza 2022. - Fritz Graf, La magia nel mondo antico, Laterza, 2009, EAN 9788842090717. - Jörg Rüpke, Superstitio. Devianza religiosa nell’Impero romano, Carocci 2014. - Alfonso Traina - Giorgio Bernardi Perini, Propedeutica al latino universitario, Bologna 1998 (varie ristampe successive), ISBN 8855524542 - P. Fedeli, E. Malaspina, L. Antonelli, LE PAROLE DI ROMA. Storia della letteratura latina. UTET 2023, ISBN: 9788860088598 - Francesco Berardi, Le vie del latino. Storia della lingua latina con elementi di grammatica storica, Congedo Editore, ISBN 8867662503 - Federico Biddau, Il canone del ritmo. Introduzione alla prosodia e metrica del latino classico, Edizioni di Storia e Letteratura 2021

At the basic level, the course aims to: acquire foundational knowledge of Greek poetic genres (epic, lyric, tragedy, comedy), key Greek myths, the performance context of texts, and Aristotle's interpretation of these genres; deepen understanding of Latin language structures historically; develop the ability to challenge preconceived judgments; and learn teaching methods for conveying this knowledge in secondary education.

At the advanced level, the course focuses on: acquiring in-depth knowledge of the ancient environmental context and the ability to critically assess interpretations of archaic or classical Greek poetic texts in Italian translation, with an emphasis on myths, historical context, and performance; achieving a solid understanding of Latin morphological and syntactic structures historically; enhancing skills to deconstruct preconceived judgments; and gaining a thorough knowledge of teaching methods for secondary education.

This course is intended for students from high schools where Latin is studied for five years, but Greek is not included in the curriculum.

The course will involve lectures and class discussions

Disabilities, BES, and DSA: Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (DSA), or Special Educational Needs (BES) can request dedicated services and tools by contacting the Career Development and Student Services Staff. More information can be found on the university's dedicated page: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studenti-disabili-e-dsa. After contacting the university staff (not before), students may reach out to the course instructor regarding exam arrangements and educational considerations

Greek: The final exam consists of a written assessment covering the following areas: knowledge of myth in various literary genres (33%); understanding of literary history (16.5%); comprehension of ancient literary theories (16.5%); and the ability to formulate critical judgments on the works (33%). The final grade reflects knowledge of the texts, application of skills, and expressive ability. Honors are awarded for deep and independent critical reflection.

Latin: The exam includes a written component (45% of the grade) and an oral component (55%). Passing the written exam is required to take the oral. The written test involves translating an unstudied Latin text using a dictionary. The oral consists of translating and analyzing a studied passage (60%) and situating it in its historical and cultural context (40%), followed by questions on all texts in the syllabus. Students must adequately respond to all questions; failing to read even one text results in not passing. Written and oral exams cannot be taken in the same session. Regular, attending students of Latin Literature A/B/C with a score of 24/30 or higher are exempt from the written exam. Exemptions do not apply to non-attending students or those in single courses, who must also complete a Latin prosody assessment.

Greek Component: The course introduces Greek literary civilization through the reading and interpretation of key texts in Italian translation, including Homer's Odyssey (Books 8-12), selections from Greek lyric poetry (notably Sappho and Pindar), Aeschylus (Agamemnon, Prometheus), Sophocles (Oedipus Rex, Antigone), Euripides (Medea, Hippolytus, Bacchae), Aristophanes (The Women’s Festival), and Aristotle (Poetics). The curriculum includes units on Homer, Hesiod, Sappho, Pindar, an introduction to Greek theater, and the major playwrights.

Latin Component for Attending Students:

Course notes
Translation dossier (available on DIR at the course start)
Gianluca De Sanctis, La religione a Roma (Carocci, 2012; latest edition 2021)
Fritz Graf, La magia nel mondo antico (Laterza, 2009)
Selected authors: Lucretius, Cicero, Virgil, Pliny the Elder, Seneca, Lucan, Apuleius from an approved high school manual. For those needing a more comprehensive manual, refer to P. Fedeli, E. Malaspina, L. Antonelli, LE PAROLE DI ROMA (UTET, 2023).
Latin Component for Non-Attending Students:

Translation dossier (available on DIR at the course start)
One volume of choice from Gianluca De Sanctis or Federico Santangelo's La religione dei Romani (2022)
Fritz Graf, La magia nel mondo antico (Laterza, 2009)
Jörg Rüpke, Superstitio (Carocci, 2014)
Alfonso Traina - Giorgio Bernardi Perini, Propedeutica al latino universitario (Bologna, 1998)
Selected authors as above from an approved high school manual, or the same recommended manual as for attending students.

To achieve the basic level of knowledge, skills, and competencies, students must demonstrate fundamental knowledge of Greek literature and the main morpho-syntactic structures of Latin. They should be able to sufficiently translate a Latin prose text and contextualize it within literary history. Additionally, students need the capability to express judgments on texts and their critical interpretations, discussing their reasons and limitations, especially from a historical-political perspective. Clear and orderly presentation of concepts and data using appropriate language is essential, as is the ability to navigate themes with autonomy for effective communication. Lastly, students should utilize the methodological tools provided in class (for attending students) and make use of resources on DIR and required readings (for all) to identify fundamental thematic cores.

To reach the advanced level, students must possess advanced knowledge of Greek literary civilization and the main morpho-syntactic structures of Latin. They should be able to translate a Latin prose text accurately, correctly, and personally into Italian while contextualizing it within its literary environment. A mature ability to express broad and articulated judgments on texts and their critical interpretations is necessary, with a focus on discussing their reasons and limitations in a historical-political context. Students are expected to present concepts and data brilliantly and clearly, using appropriate language, avoiding rote repetition, and navigating themes autonomously for effective communication. Mastery of methodological tools provided in class (for attending students) and the ability to leverage resources on DIR and required readings (for all) to identify fundamental thematic cores and interconnections is also essential.

These learning outcomes align with the objectives outlined in the SUA of the Degree Program, framework A4.b2 - literary and linguistic area.