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Unit of study_

GRKA4102: Research Skills in Greek Poetry

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Deepen your expertise in Greek poetry through in-depth study of one or more important text. Close engagement with relevant scholarship will give you advanced understanding of the latest research techniques and methodologies for the study of Greek poetry. You will develop your skills as an independent literary critic, engage in intensive in-class discussion, and explore authors such as Homer, Euripides, Aristophanes or Apollonius. Advanced language skills will be developed by close reading of original material and tested by periodic exercises in unseen translation.

Unit details and rules

Unit code GRKA4102
Academic unit Classics and Ancient History
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Robert Cowan, bob.cowan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Exam
Commentary questions on set texts
20% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Presentation Presentation
Presentation on a focus topic
10% Multiple weeks Presentation on a focus topic
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO3 LO2
Small test Set text translation test
Set text translation
5% Please select a valid week from the list below 100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8
Small test Set-text translation test
Set text translation
5% Please select a valid week from the list below 100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8
Assignment Essay
50% STUVAC 4000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Language (commentary) assignment
Write an academic-style commentary on five set lines of Aristophanes.
10% Week 08
Due date: 05 Oct 2021 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • In-class translations: There will be two short in-class/on-Zoom translation tests on the set text to assess understanding of the Greek.
  • Language (commentary) assessment: Students will write a formal commentary in the style of academic commentaries on five lines of Aristophanes. Full guidance and class practice will be given.
  • Essay: Students are to devise their own topic or question. Students are to read ahead to the end of Thesmo (in translation at least) and should not limit their essay to topics covered in the early parts of the play. Students may discussed the topic with the lecturer and must submit an abstract with an indicative bibliogrphy via Canvas prior to submission.
  • Exam: The final exam will be a time-limited take-home exercise tudents will be required to comment on one passage (from a choice of two) from each of Thesmo and Samia. Finally, you will be required to scan five trimeters.
  • Presentation: students will give a short presentation and lead discussion in one of the focus sessions on themes and issues relating to Greek comedy.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Looking at commentaries and practice for the language assessment Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
In-class/live-Zoomed translation tests on set text (weeks 7 and 13) Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO8 LO9
Translation and student-led discussion of the Honours additional set text, Menander, Samia. Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Ongoing Translation and student-led discussion of the set text, Aristophanes Thesmophoriazusae. Detailed schedule available on Canvas. Seminar (24 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Focus sessions on aspects of Greek comedy Seminar (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7
Week 01 Introductory lectures on Old Comedy, Aristophanes, and Thesmophoriazusae Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Week 13 Revision Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold. 
  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience. 
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the “Reading List”, available on Canvas. The set editions (with commentary) are:

  • Austin, Colin and Olson, S. Douglas edd. (2004) Aristophanes: Thesmophoriazusae (Oxford), available online via Oxford Scholarly Editions Online.
  • Sommerstein, Alan H. ed. (2013) Menander: Samia (Cambridge)

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate increased knowledge of the Greek language, its structure, vocabulary, and modes of expression
  • LO2. demonstrate increased knowledge of the history and influence of the literature of Greece, including an understanding of genre and of interpretative work ranging from traditional criticism to contemporary approaches
  • LO3. demonstrate increased knowledge of the culture, religion, ideas and history of the Greek leading to a critical understanding of one of the bases of Western culture
  • LO4. develop sharpened analytical skills in investigating the ways texts use language to construct meaning and assert imaginative power, communication skills fostered by the writing of critical analyses and by discussion in class where one must clearly express and account for one’s own view and objectively judge the views of others
  • LO5. practice skills in working as part of a team, sharing information and exchanging approaches in ways which promote realistic self-evaluation, critical judgment, tolerance and skills in creative listening
  • LO6. practice skills in ordering and inter-relating a large body of facts and differing opinions within a limited space
  • LO7. acquire in increased understanding of cultural difference
  • LO8. practice skills in time-management, in prioritising and in working to definite goals and deadlines
  • LO9. practice skills in the use of IT for the accessing of information and generating your material.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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