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 be asked to prepare, individually or in small groups, an examination of interpretative problems relating to the history of the tradition and/or parts of the text, and then present and discuss it in class: this exercises are not for evaluation and do not contribute to the exam mark.

Attendance at lessons and activities is highly recommended. Non-attending students are asked to contact the teacher to arrange a different program and/or further bibliography.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders can consult the guidelines for requesting services, compensatory tools and/or dispensatory measures and specific aids at the following link: https://unige.it/sites/unige.it/files/2024-05/Linee%20guida%20per%20la%20richiesta%20di%20servizi%2C%20di%20strumenti%20compensativi%20e_o%20di%20misure%20dispensative%20e%20di%20ausili%20specifici%20Maggio%202024.pdf

All the students are requested to register on Aulaweb.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Tradition and text of Aristotle’s Poetics

The module will first provide a framework on the manuscript tradition of the Poetics, supported by the observation of the manuscript witnesses for which a digital reproduction is available online. We will then move on to the reading and translation of the ancient text, with philological commentary and analysis of the apparatuses. Parts of the text possibly not translated in class, will be entrusted to the students to be prepared independently.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

– Aristotle Poetics, Editio maior of the Greek text with historical introductions and philological commentaries, by L. Tarán and D. Gutas, Leiden-Boston: Brill 2012. (Umanistica Balbiquattro ARISTOT T 20)

Any further reading will be suggested during class.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Week of 22/9/25

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Candidates will be asked to both discursively present aspects relating to the manuscript tradition of the work in the program, and to translate and comment, from a critical-traditional and ecdotic point of view, passages from the text in question. The following aspects of preparation will be assessed:
– knowledge and understanding of the aspects relating to the manuscript tradition of the work in the program (including the interpretation of the stemma codicum)
– ability to translate the text
– ability to interpret the apparatus of the critical edition
– ability to describe the ecdotic choices of the critical edition and, in case (excellence threshold) to discuss and evaluate them personally, according to the methodological principles of the discipline
– ability to correctly use technical terminology.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Erasmus students not proficient in Italian can take the examination in English.

Ask the professor for other information not included in the teaching schedule.