GRE4317 ¨C Greek Prose I

Course content

The subject focuses on the study of Ancient Greek prose, with a syllabus that may encompass various genres such as historiography, epistolography, speeches, scientific and philosophical prose or a combination of texts thematically linked. In addition to the Greek texts (75-100 pages), we will also delve into relevant secondary literature to gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The objective of the course is to provide students with a thorough comprehension of a specific genre or cluster of texts that are linked through a common theme.

Course content autumn 2025:

In Fall 2025 this course will have a thematic focus on ancient theories of literature. We will explore some of the key ancient texts that reflect on literature, its place in society, its relation to other arts, as well as its epistemic, moral and historical value. We will read two texts in the original: Plutarch¡¯s How the Young Person Should Listen to Poets and Ps.-Longinus¡¯ On the Sublime. In additional, we will survey philosophical critiques and responses to poetry (Plato¡¯s theory of forms, mimesis and diegesis; Aristotle¡¯s notion of poetics; Cleanthes¡¯ and Seneca¡¯s Stoic theory of poetry as a conduit of philosophical teaching) and approaches that developed within or responded to the ancient philological tradition (Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Horace, Aulus Gellius). Relevant modern literary-theoretical texts will also be discussed.

Learning outcome

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:

• translate the selected Greek texts and provide insightful interpretations.
• analyse the texts' features in relation to their genre, rhetoric, stylistics, or other relevant aspects.
• reflect on how the texts¡¯ formal and linguistic elements affect their interpretation and translation.
• conduct an analysis of the course texts, paying close attention to their historical, cultural, and other relevant contexts.

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. In autumn 2025 the teaching is common with GRE2430 ¨C Advanced Seminar in Greek I.

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 supervised 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 presentation

• 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
• How to use AI as a student
• 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.