OVERVIEW

The tradition of Greek literature is studded with losses: many works are known to us only thanks to indirect references, for others we only know that they existed, others on the contrary (the most read and widespread over time) are preserved by many or very many manuscript witnesses. But even in the latter case, the textual data we have are often ambiguous, unsatisfactory, or problematic and demand reflection on questions of method.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aims to outline the learning outcomes of the Teaching Classical Philology with specific reference to classical Greek texts and their traditions: in-depth knowledge of the mechanisms and terminology of textual criticism; competences needed to reconstruct manuscript traditions, to discuss variants, to suggest conjectural emendations of a text; learning to read a critical edition of an ancient Greek text and to fully understand the information in the apparatus and the praefatio and their consequences; ability to use bibliographic tools and online databases relevant to this discipline.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Participation in the activities and / or individual study will allow the student to:
- know the mechanisms and the terminology of textual criticism as applied to the texts of classical Greece;
- apply general knowledge to the use of critical editions;
- use the bibliographical tools and online databases relevant to the discipline;
- understand and interpret data relating to Greek manuscript traditions;
- acquire an appropriate vocabulary to outline and critically discuss (also in writing) the different aspects of the discipline.

PREREQUISITES

A good command of ancient Greek language.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures with Powerpoint presentations and images (made available on Aulaweb). Students will also be asked to actively participate, with the elaboration, in small groups or individually, of a speech of about 20/30 minutes on an established topic to be presented orally in class: this exercise is not for evaluation and does not contributes to the exam mark. 

The lessons will be held in presence (seat reservation is compulsory, due to the limitations on the capacity of the classrooms in relation to the Covid pandemic: see https://cedia.unige.it/sites/ cedia.unige.it/files/pagine/Prenotazione%20del%20posto%20in%20aula%20-20Guida%20allo%20studente_UNIGE.pdf; it is necessary to have a "Green Pass"). It is recommended, when possible, to attend lessons in presence. Students who are unable to attend lessons in presence can attend via videoconference on Teams (access code: wlc9bf1).

Attendance at lessons and activities is highly recommended. Non-attending students are requested to contact the teacher to arrange a different program and/or receive further bibliography. Students who will not attend lessons live (even if via videoconference), but will only hear the recordings, will be considered non-attending students. All the students are requested to register on the Aulaweb.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Reading of a selection of passages from Homeric poems and their scholastic corpora, with examination of the respective genesis (both, for different reasons, problematic) and overview of the manuscript traditions, reading of the critical apparatus and observation of the reproductions of a selection of manuscript witnesses, reflection on the various ecdotic problems posed and consequent applied and applicable ecdotic techniques.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The reading list for this course, together with the lecturer's suggestions and instructions are available on the Italian version of the web page.

The passages examined in class will be made available on Aulaweb. Digital reproductions of the parts of manuscripts examined in class and useful for the exercises will be supplied.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LARA PAGANI (President)

LISA LONGONI

SERENA PERRONE

LARA NICOLINI (President Substitute)

GIOVANNI ANDRISANI (Substitute)

ALICE BONANDINI (Substitute)

PIA CAROLLA (Substitute)

BIAGIO SANTORELLI (Substitute)

GIOVANNI TROVATO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

29/9/2021

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Production of a written report on a subject decided with the teacher (to be delivered to the teacher via email at least one week before the exam) and oral test. Students are not allowed to access the oral test before having passed the written report. The evaluation of the written report will be communicated via email. If the oral test proves insufficient, the evaluation assigned to the written report will remain valid. The final mark will be determined by a weighted average between the marks of the two tests according to the following ratio: written report: 40%; oral test: 60%. Both part of the exam must be sufficient.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The production of a written report aims at assessing students’ knowledge of philological aspects of the text under discussion, students’ ability to understand the outcomes of these features on the textual constitution, students’ ability to write a well-structured and well-argued text and students’ command of terminology.

The oral test is an interview aimed at assessing students’ knowledge and understanding of tools and mechanisms of textual criticism, students’ knowledge of bibliographical tools and databases, students’ command of technical terminology, also by arguing in support of the points made in the written report.

‘Pass’ requirements are: a broad understanding of the conceptual tools in philology; ability to recognize methodological problems; ability to extract information from the critical edition of a text; correct use of technical terminology.

‘Excellence’ requirements are: full understanding of conceptual tools and solid command of technical terminology (the student is able to conduct an autonomous, critical analysis of methodological problems in philology, and he/she is able to work out in a critical and autonomous way all the information provided by the critical edition of a text).

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance at lessons and activities is highly recommended. Non-attending students are asked to contact the teacher to arrange a different program. All the students are requested to register on the Aulaweb page of the teaching.