General provisions

The course is given as a free-standing course.

Entry requirements

Fulfilment of the requirements for a Bachelor's degree with (ancient) Greek as the main field of study.

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide a deepened understanding of Greek fiction, its literary, social, and linguistic aspects during different periods in the history of Greek (e.g. the Classical, Late Antique, or Byzantine periods). In order to pass, the student must at the end of the course be able to:

• translate the original texts with a good understanding of their content and grammar,
• analyse the original texts from a stylistic view-point and discuss them on the basis of their genre,
• analyse the original texts in their historical, socio-cultural context and discuss issues pertaining to gender,
• reflect upon intertextuality and other literary perspectives,
• on the basis of a relevant theory reflect upon the relationship between fact and fiction, and
• account for the main traits of the studied texts' transmission and history of research.

Content

The course encompasses the reading of c. 200 pages of Greek or Byzantine fiction in the original, and at least one work in translation and at least one scholarly article. Syntax, stylistics and the relationship between content and form are continuously analysed and discussed, which means that the original texts are studied both from the perspective of historical linguistics and a literary perspective.

Instruction

The course is taught in seminar form.

Assessment

The course is examined continuously at the seminars and through a final oral or written examination. Students who do not participate at the seminars are examined according to the examiner's instructions.