Outline

Overview

This course aims to examine the marginalised attempts to modernise Greek literature of the beginning of the 20th century as an alternative to what is considered to be the dominant discourse of Greek modernism, i.e the so-called generation of the 1930s. This will involve the study of C. P. Cavafy, K. G. Karyotakis and some of the minor poets of the same period as well as new trends in Greek criticism put forward by younger critics such as T. Agras and Kl. Paraschos.The course will also attempt to draw parallels to the appropriate European context and to take into account relevant developments in Greek political life.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 2000 level in Modern Greek or MGRK2603 or MGRK3002 or MGRK3607
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	MGRK2501 or MGRK2622
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Vrasidas Karalis, vrasidas.karalis@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Essay - Take home assignment Essay and short answers	70%	Formal exam period Due date: 13 Nov 2026 at 23:00 Closing date: 20 Nov 2026	4,000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Presentation presentation in class	30%	Multiple weeks Due date: 06 Nov 2026 at 07:50 Closing date: 06 Nov 2026	20 min (2000 word equivalent)	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

- Presentation (for available topics see canvas)

- Essay (for available topics see 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	Work demonstrates engagement with the text under scrutiny, a wide range of clear and coherent responses which reflect on the text, a good knowledge of the whole text and its context, a high level of analytical ability, an appropriate use of primary and secondary sources, and originality and depth of critical analysis
Distinction	75 - 84	Work demonstrates engagement with the text under scrutiny, a wide range of clear and coherent responses which reflect on the text, a good knowledge of the whole text and its context, a high level of analytical ability, and an appropriate use of primary and secondary sources
Credit	65 - 74	Work demonstrates engagement with the text under scrutiny, a wide range of clear and coherent responses which reflect on the text, a good knowledge of the whole text, an appropriate use of sources, and analytical ability.
Pass	50 - 64	Work demonstrates engagement with the text under scrutiny, a range of clear and coherent responses which reflect on the text, and a reasonable knowledge of the whole text, and an appropriate use of related lectures and tutorials material.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

see canvas

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction: Modernism and Modernity Greek Modernity and its others	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Urbanization and modernity Greek poetry in the beginning of the 2Oth ce	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Introduction to C.P. Cavafy and his poetry - Nature and City	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Desire and Eroticism	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Perception Reality and Poetic Representation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Versions of Reality and Poetic Representation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Irony and the Ironic	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	History and Poetry	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	The Poet on Poetry C.P. Cavafy: Summing up	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Introduction to K. Karyotakis and his poetry	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	The Self in Karyotakis’ poetry Pessimism and suicide	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	The Use of Irony The Poet on Poetry	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Summing up	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

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

Detailed information can be found on Canvas

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. demonstrate critical awareness and appreciation of the work of two major 20th century Greek poets within their European context
LO2. demonstrate knowledge of a variety of theoretical and methodological tools for the study of poetry
LO3. demonstrate skills in textual and contextual analysis
LO4. demonstrate advanced reading comprehension, writing and oral presentation skills

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

No changes

Additional information

Detailed information can be found on Canvas

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MGRK3605: Greek Modernity and its Others

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links