UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
SPRING, 2005 GREEK 2013 HOMER
Professor Daniel B. Levine
Illusration: Harpist. Cyclades, island mable, about 2500 BCE. Ht. 35.8 cm. Width: 9.5 cm.
J. Paul Getty Museum
Welcome to Homeric Greek! This term we will read some selections from Homer's Iliad in Greek, read the entire poem in English, and engage in some projects to help us learn better about the earliest literature in Europe.
We will read the poetry aloud, practicing the dactylic hexameter; we shall translate literally and artistically; we shall examine the mythology of the epic; we shall create a non-literary project that arises from our studies.
Our texts:
Selections from Homer's Iliad, ed. A. R. Benner
Homer Iliad, tr. Stanley Lombardo
Please buy these editions of the texts, so we can always be 'on the same page' with one another.
Grades
Course grades will be based on hour examinations (25%), class presentations/written assignments (25%), final projects (25%), and class preparation/participation (25%).
Hour Examinations.
The hour examinations will consist of passages of the text to translate into English, as well as a few lines of the epic to scan metrically. In addition, there will be questions about grammar. One of the strengths of Benner's text is that it has a complete Homeric Grammar in the back, as well as copious notes that refer to specific places in that Grammar. We are well accommodated.
Secret Words.
Each student will be responsible for giving the etymology of a word at the beginning of each class, as in Greek 1013. Words Presented so far will be given on this site.
In the second half of the course, students will choose a short passage from any book of the Iliad, and make two translations of the passage. The first translation will be literal, taking into account every point of grammar and syntax. The second translation will be 'artistic' or 'literary' and need not slavishly relate to the text. This is an opportunity to be creative, and get the 'spirit' of the passage across to the modern reader. For details and a sample, click here.
Mnemosyne, Muse, Invocation
All students in this course will memorize the first seven lines of the Iliad: the invocation to the Muse. We will practice this together in class daily until ever student can recite it. This will help students with the Book One Recitations.
Book One Memorized Recitations
Students in the second half of the course will choose a few lines from Book 1 to memorize, and recite these lines to the class, without telling the class the context. The class will then have to recognize the words and context just by listening to the student reciting, just like an ancient audience.
Non-Literary Project
In addition to the textual work we will do, students will produce non-literary
projects based on something in the Iliad. This project may be a sculpture,
painting, photography project, collage, video, musical and/or theatrical
composition/performance, dance, computer software, web page, or other creative/artistic
endeavor. All Final Projects must be approved by the professor by the tenth
week of classes.
Presentations: Mythology and the Iliad
Students will make presentations to the class about a character who appears in the Iliad. The presentations will include a summary of this character's genealogy, major actions (both in the Iliad and elsewhere in Greek myth), relationship with the gods, and representations in later Greek and European art, drama, and music.
Students will make up handouts for the class (no longer than 2 pages), and distribute them the day of their presentations. Each presentation will take no longer than 15 minutes.
Presentations may be on the following:
(Greeks)
Achilles, Agamemnon, Menelaus, Telamonian Ajax, Oilean Ajax, Calchas, Diomedes, Helen, Idomeneus, Nestor, Phoenix, Thersites. [Gods: Thetis, Hera, Athena]
(Trojans)
Aeneas, Andromache, Antenor, Briseis, Dolon, Glaucus, Hector, Paris, Sarpedon, Hecuba, Priam, Helenus. [Gods: Aphrodite, Apollo]
Click Here for a Schedule of the Mythology Presentations
Bad Weather Policy.
Your instructor will be here when the University is open. If a student is prevented by weather from reaching class, the absence will be excused, and the work will be made up without penalty.
Daniel B. Levine, Professor, Classical Studies
Office: Kimpel Hall 502, Office Phone: 575-5937; Home Phone: 521-3294
FAX: 575-6795, EMAIL: dlevine@uark.edu
Office hours: MWF 10:30-11:20 and by appointment.
Tentative Schedule of Classes: Greek 2013. University of Arkansas Spring, 2005.
[There will be Greek lines from Book One assigned for most classes when Presentations are not scheduled.]
Week 1
Wednesday, January 19 Welcome and Review
Friday, January 21 Book I, lines 1-7
Week 2
Monday, January 24. lines 8-21 (English: Books 1-3)
Wednesday, January 26. lines 22-36
Friday, January 28. (English: Books 4-6) Mythology Presentations
Week 3
Monday, January 31. lines 37-52
Wednesday, February 02. lines 53-67
Friday, February 04. (English: Books 7-9) Mythology Presentations
Week 4
Monday, February 07 lines 68-100
Wednesday, February 09 lines 101-120
Friday, February 11 (English: Books 10-12) Mythology Presentations
Week 5
Monday, February 14 lines 121-147
Wednesday, February 16. lines 148-171
Friday, February 18. (English: Books 13-15) Mythology Presentations
Week 6
Monday, February 21. HOUR EXAMINATION #1
Wednesday, February 23. lines 172-192 HOUR EXAMINATION #1 (part 2)
Friday, February 25. lines 193-222
Week 7
Monday, February 28. lines 223-244
Wednesday, March 02. lines 245-261
Friday, March 04. lines 262-291
Week 8
Monday, March 07. (English: Books 16-18) Mythology Presentations
Wednesday, March 09. lines 292-317
Friday, March 11. (English: Books 19-21) Mythology Presentations
Week 9
Monday, March 14. lines 318-348
Wednesday, March 16. lines 349-363
Friday, March 18. REVIEW. (English: Books 22-24)
SPRING BREAK
Week 10
Monday, March 28. Review.
Wednesday, March 30. lines 364-392
Friday, April 01. lines 393-412
Week 11
Monday, April 04. .lines 413-430 . Tell Professor your choice of Non-Literary Project
Wednesday, April 06. Book One Memorized Passage Recitations
Friday, April 08. HOUR EXAMINATION #2
Week 12
Monday, April 11. lines 431-456
Wednesday, April 13. lines 457-479
Friday, April 15. Review
Week 13
Monday, April 18. lines 480-510
Wednesday, April 20. lines 511-539
Friday, April 22. Written Translation Presentations
Monday, April 25 Written Translation Presentations
Wednesday, April 27. Written Translation Presentations
Friday, April 29. REVIEW. DO NOT COME TO CLASS.
Monday, May 02. Regular class (Keep reading book 1.) RECEIVE TAKE-HOME LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
Wednesday, May 04. Regular class (Keep reading book 1.)
Friday, May 06. Dead Day
Exam Week:
May 8 (Sunday) 6:30 PM. (Chez Levine) Non-Literary Projects due and presented to class. The Didaskalos will provide refreshments. Happy Mothers' Day.
Wednesday, May 11, 2:30 PM. TAKE-HOME LEARNING OPPORTUNITY DUE. LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
TURN IN TO PROFESSOR LEVINE (KIMP 502), OR TO HIS MAIL BOX IN KIMPEL HALL 425 (FOREIGN LANGUAGES OFFICE).