The course intends to reflect on some aspects of "wisdom" or "science" in Greek thought, in didascalic epic and in the Socratic-Platonic reflection.

The aim is to highlight some relevant methodological questions that are significant to the philological, historical and literary inquiry, and to the history of thought and mentality, through the concrete study of texts which are explicitly focused on the transmission of  a practical or moral "wisdom", or texts in which the notions of "wisdom" and "science" are explored.

The first part of the course will focus on the reading and commentary of the didascalic poem Theogony, by Hesiod (VII c. BC).

It will open with a general introduction to the theme of the "wisdom" and of its transmission and dissemination in the archaic Greek culture.

Then, by the end of the first semester, we will read, translate and comment on Hesiod's Theogony.

There will be also a metrical introduction to the dactylic hexameters and reading exercises.

In the second part, which will begin in the second semester, we will read Plato's dialogue Euthydemus (beginning of the IVth century BC).

It focuses on the figures of Euthydemus and his brother Dionysodorus, sophists. Their pretended knowledge is reduced to the sterile ability to refute the adversary, and one gets the impression that Plato intends here simply to contrast the empty verbalism of the sophists, who aim only at the victory in the discussion, on the ne hand, and on the other hand  the moral seriousness of Socratic teaching. However, Plato's operation is more complex: he tries to recommend the correct use of the logos, partly safeguarding also what was good in the methods used by the sophists.

The text will be read in the original language and appropriately commented, both in relation to Platonic thought and in relation to the history of mentality.

It is absolutely necessary to have a solid knowledge of the Greek language.

From the point of view of the specific information obtained, at the end of the course the student will acquire an in-depth knowledge of a cultural notion of central value in the history of ancient Greek mentality.

More generally, and well in line with the professional curriculum profile, the process of analytical reading of the chosen texts will have a significant impact on the student's ability to deal with a competent and rigorous reading of the proposed texts (literary, dramatic, philosophical, and other tipologies which may be presented during the lessons), developing analytical skills, close reading, synthesis and critical thinking about data and sources. The set of skills acquired will allow the student to formulate philologically (scientifically) correct hypotheses, based on new texts or new sets of texts (data, sources, literary texts).

From the point of view of general education, the student will deepen his awareness of specific methodological aspects characterizing the philological and historical-literary inquiry, as well as his aesthetic sensibility to the formal and rhetorical aspects of literary poetry and prose.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The course can be supplemented by relevant seminars and conferences or, in any case, of educational and methodological relevance with regard to the methods and the themes of ancient Greek Literature and in general Greek and Latin classics.

Teaching

Front Lessons

Attendance

It is strongly recommended that the student attend the lectures and the optional seminars.

The student is required to read all the texts in the program, which must be translated and commented according to the lines indicated in the course.

The student is also required to read the study texts as planned and to those indicated by the teacher in the lessons.

The student is also required to show knowledge of Greek literature with special attention to the parts (authors, works, historical-literary periods) that have been the subject of the course.

Course books

Reference issues for the Greek texts of the course will be:

Hesiod. Theogony, M.L. West (ed.), Oxford 1997 (1966)

Platonis Opera III, J. Burnet (ed.), Oxford 1985 (1903)

The student is required to read sections on archaic epic and philosophical literature (with particular attention to platonic production) in one of the following manuals:

L.E. Rossi (Firenze, Le Monnier, 1995)

G.A. Privitera - R. Pretagostini (Torino, Einaudi, 1997)

F. Montanari (Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1998)

A. Porro - W. Lapini (Bologna, Il Mulino, 2017)

On Hesiod's Theogony the student will read

Brill’s Companion to Hesiod, ed. by F. Montanari, A. Rengakos, Ch. Tsagalis, Brill, Leiden-Boston 2009

or

G. Arrighetti, Esiodo: letture critiche, Mursia, Milano 1975

 On Plato read the essay by F. Trabattoni, Plato, Rome 2013 (2009)

The student is also required to read the essay: 

M. Detienne, The Masters of Truth in Archaic Greece, engl. transl. Book Zone, New York 1996 (ed. orig. Paris 1967)

or

Ch. Lyle Johnstone, Listening to the logos. Speech and the Coming of Wisdom in Ancient Greece, Univ. of South Carolina Press, 2009

For the Greek metric (and the dactylic hexameter in particular), it is advisable to consult the manual of B. Gentili, L. Lomiento, Metric and Rhythmic. History of Poetic Forms of Ancient Greece, Milan 2008 (2° ed.)

It will also read, in an English translation (in one of the editions with bilingual text currently circulating), the following works:

Hesiod, Work and Days

Plato, Socrates Apology

Further bibliography will be indicated by the teacher during lessons.

The texts that will not be available at the University Library will be made available by the teacher.

Assessment

Written and oral exam:

- a two-hour written exam provides for the translation and comment of a short text drawn from all the texts commented on in the lesson; only one written test will be set for each exam session; it will be evaluated and will go on average with the oral test within the same session;

- The oral exam provides general questions on the subject of the course and a translation test on a portion of text - from the texts planned in the program – which is not included in the lesson comments.

Disabilità e DSA

Le studentesse e gli studenti che hanno registrato la certificazione di disabilità o la certificazione di DSA presso l'Ufficio Inclusione e diritto allo studio, possono chiedere di utilizzare le mappe concettuali (per parole chiave) durante la prova di esame.

A tal fine, è necessario inviare le mappe, due settimane prima dell’appello di esame, alla o al docente del corso, che ne verificherà la coerenza con le indicazioni delle linee guida di ateneo e potrà chiederne la modifica.

Teaching

There are no teaching methods in e-learning.

Attendance

The student is required to read all the texts in the program, which must be translated and commented according to the lines indicated in the course.

The student is also required to read carefully the study texts planned.

The student is also required to show knowledge of Greek literature with special attention to the parts (authors, works, historical-literary periods) that have been the subject of the course.

Course books

Reference issues for the Greek texts of the course will be:

Hesiod. Theogony, M.L. West (ed.), Oxford 1997 (1966)

Platonis Opera III, J. Burnet (ed.), Oxford 1985 (1903)

The student is required to read sections on archaic epic and philosophical literature (with particular attention to platonic production) in one of the following manuals:

L.E. Rossi (Firenze, Le Monnier, 1995)

G.A. Privitera - R. Pretagostini (Torino, Einaudi, 1997)

F. Montanari (Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1998)

A. Porro - W. Lapini (Bologna, Il Mulino, 2017)

On Hesiod's Theogony the student will read

Brill’s Companion to Hesiod, ed. by F. Montanari, A. Rengakos, Ch. Tsagalis, Brill, Leiden-Boston 2009

or

G. Arrighetti, Esiodo: letture critiche, Mursia, Milano 1975

 On Plato read the essay by F. Trabattoni, Plato, Rome 2013 (2009)

The student is also required to read the essay: 

M. Detienne, The Masters of Truth in Archaic Greece, engl. transl. Book Zone, New York 1996 (ed. orig. Paris 1967)

or

Ch. Lyle Johnstone, Listening to the logos. Speech and the Coming of Wisdom in Ancient Greece, Univ. of South Carolina Press, 2009

For the Greek metric (and the dactylic hexameter in particular), it is advisable to consult the manual of B. Gentili, L. Lomiento, Metric and Rhythmic. History of Poetic Forms of Ancient Greece, Milan 2008 (2° ed.)

It will also read, in an English translation (in one of the editions with bilingual text currently circulating), the following works:

Hesiod, Work and Days

Plato, Socrates Apology

Further bibliography will be indicated by the teacher during lessons.

The texts that will not be available at the University Library will be made available by the teacher.

Assessment

Written and oral exam:

- a two-hour written exam provides for the translation and comment of a short text drawn from all the texts commented on in the lesson; only one written test will be set for each exam session; it will be evaluated and will go on average with the oral test within the same session;

- The oral exam provides general questions on the subject of the course and a translation test on a portion of text - from the texts planned in the program – which is not included in the lesson comments.

Disabilità e DSA

Le studentesse e gli studenti che hanno registrato la certificazione di disabilità o la certificazione di DSA presso l'Ufficio Inclusione e diritto allo studio, possono chiedere di utilizzare le mappe concettuali (per parole chiave) durante la prova di esame.

A tal fine, è necessario inviare le mappe, due settimane prima dell’appello di esame, alla o al docente del corso, che ne verificherà la coerenza con le indicazioni delle linee guida di ateneo e potrà chiederne la modifica.