GRE4308 ¨C Byzantine Greek

Course content

Greek was not only the language of ancient Greece, but also of the Byzantine or Eastern Roman Empire (330-1453 AD). For over 1000 years, writers in this realm produced a diverse scholarly literature in Greek, including Christian hymns, epic poetry, historiography, biography, and letters. This course explores literary texts from this period and places them in their literary, historical, and cultural contexts. We will read approximately 100 pages of Greek text, depending on the level of difficulty. Additionally, we will examine and discuss secondary literature relevant to the texts under study.

Learning outcome

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• independently read and translate the selected Greek texts into Norwegian and/or English and interpret them.
• discuss the main linguistic and stylistic features of Byzantine Greek literature.
• Explain the development of Byzantine Greek literature and its engagement with earlier literary traditions.
• discuss the role of Christianity in the development of the language, style, and content of Byzantine literature.
• discuss how ancient literary genres (e.g., epic and letters) were used as models in this period, and how new ones (e.g., hymns and sermons) were created.
• analyse current scholarship in a critical and informed manner.
• engage in discussions on key debates within the research field.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester?register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.

To be admitted to this course, you must be enrolled in Classical Studies (master). Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Specialization (80 ECTS credits) in Ancient Greek at the Bachelor's level.

Teaching

14 two-hour seminars during the semester.

We expect you to prepare for the seminars.

NB: If no more than two students sign up for the course, the teaching may be given as guided reading.?

In order for you to be allowed to sit for the final examination,?the following compulsory tuition activities must be approved by the teacher:

• Oral midterm test
• Attendance: You must attend at least 10 of the 14 seminars.

Approved tuition activity is valid also for the next two semesters in which the course is offered.

Examination

Seminar paper of a total of 10-15 pages, 2300 characters each (without spaces; title page and reference list not included).

You submit your assignment in the digital examination system Inspera. You must familiarize yourself with Inspera before the submission deadline.?Read about how to submit your assignment in Inspera.

In order for you to qualify for the final examination, all compulsory tuition activities must be approved by the teacher.

Examination support material

You are required to familiarize yourself with the rules for sources and citations. It may be considered cheating or attempted cheating to use other people's material without informing about it.

Language of examination

You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English. If you would prefer to have the exam text in English, you may apply to the course administrators.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail.?Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.