The course aims to equip you with the background information and critical skills you need to be able to engage confidently with Greek literature in translation, with a particular view to the more specialised literary courses available in years 2 and 3. The emphasis is on learning to read independently with confidence and understanding across the whole range of Greek literary texts. Lectures offer a comprehensive historical and critical survey of classical Greek literature from Homer to Heliodorus; seminars and online activities help with hands-on reading experience. No previous knowledge is assumed, and all texts are studied in translation.

Key Themes in Roman History.

TERM 2 COURSE

This course is being revised for the academic year 2023/2024. This will be a gradual process, but I'll be looking to keep well ahead of the delivery of the sessions. The revisions of the teaching content will normally be minor and so you can gather material for essays, etc., in advance of the teaching sessions.

This is a survey course that seeks to cover a very broad chronological period from the Bronze Age down to just after the death of Alexander the Great in 323, a date that has traditionally been seen as a historical turning point that ushers in a new era, the Hellenistic period.

The course is very broad from a chronological point of view, but it does not simply aim at breadth. It also goes into depth and examines key sources, social and political institutions and engages critically with key historical themes and problems. For example, we shall explore in some detail the historical sources for the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars, two milestones of Greek history which many of you will be somewhat familiar with. We will try to look beyond the legend that often accompanies them or facile interpretations and we will aim to probe and critique both primary and secondary courses. I hope that this course will hone your key skills of analysis and criticism and enable you to become more mature and confident in your engagement with ancient Greek political and social history.

The course is quite similar to previous iterations run by my predecessor. There will be some updates and differences, as I revise lectures and seminars throughout the year. I will be making material available one or two weeks in advance. Seminar prep will be available at least 7 days before the session. However, you will find the bibliography for lectures and assignments on TALIS, divided both by week and by topic.

Historiography of the Roman World

There will be some small differences as I revise the teaching sessions through the year and you should bear that in mind if you want to look at material more than two weeks ahead. Nevertheless, revisions of the teaching content will normally be minor and so you can gather material for essays, etc., in advance of the teaching sessions..

Course materials for students doing CL2436 in the session 2024–25.

This course is a language course. Students learn Modern Greek at the level of Beginners. By the end of the course students are able to communicate in Greek in a variety of everyday situations (i.e., to talk about thenselves, their studies, their family, their house, their friends etc). It could be considered as an additional qualification in a Modern language. The study of Modern Greek could help students with the study of Classics at a University in Greece as part of the scheme 'taking a year abroad'.

This course places emphasis on developing students’ understanding and appreciation of contemporary Greek society and culture. A variety of topics regarding Greek language and Modern Greek history and literature are discussed in class, including the ‘Language Question’ ; the Influence of English on modern Greek, the Greek Catastrophe in Asia Minor; the Greek civil War (1946-1949) and the concept of Greek national identity; the use of ancient Greek myth in modern Greek poetry (students can find as a file the list of all topics in the Moodle page under the rubric Topics).

The course aims at demonstrating the continuity of the Greek language and culture. Therefore, students can enhance their knowledge of Ancient Greek; understand the concept of Reception studies; broaden their knowledge of European History since Modern Greek history is part of European history

ASSESSMENT:
The course is assessed by 4 in-class tests. The 3 best count for the final mark (30%)
An essay on a topic on either Moden Greek language. literature or history (2000 words) (20%)
Final Exam in May (50%)

If you have any suggestions for additional resources that could be added here, or wish to report a link that no longer works, please email Dr. Hawley: richard.hawley@rhul.ac.uk.

CL3284 City of Athens