GRK30100 Greek Texts: Herodotus

Academic Year 2024/2025

Students will translate and examine selections from the Histories of Herodotus in the original Greek. In 2023/24 they engaged with selections from books 1 and 3 of the Histories. In particular, they read the Lydian Logos from Book One, as well as some passages from Book 3 concerning the Persian ruler Cambyses (selections from 3.29-38 and 3.61-66). In addition to translation, these passages were discussed in terms of the wider themes which define the Histories as a whole, including oracles and dreams, Greeks and non-Greeks, and the rise and fall of empires.

Prior to class students are expected to prepare sections of the text as outlined in the reading schedule. This entails translating and, where relevant, reading modern scholarship and commentaries on topics such as: the author’s style, historical views and methodology, key themes in the Histories and modern interpretations of them.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

To successfully complete this module students must demonstrate an ability to:
* accurately translate Herodotus' text from Ancient Greek into English;
* critically engage with modern commentaries and scholarship on Herodotus and the Histories;
* reflect on and answer specific questions about the text and its themes;
* write about the set text at an appropriate level for a level three module as outlined in the UCD grading criteria (if completing the essay rather than sitting a third exam).

Indicative Module Content:

It is expected that students will translate selections from Book 1 of Herodotus.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

18
Specified Learning Activities

54
Autonomous Student Learning

28
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is delivered through seminars/tutorials in small groups. Before each class students will prepare their translations of set passages, following the reading schedule set by the module coordinator. As they read they should work to build a list of key vocabulary and flag any issues they may struggle with as they read. In class time will be devoted to translating and discussing the set text and discussing points of historical and literary interest. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students taking this module should have some experience of reading unadapted Greek texts


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Exam (In-person): 50-minute class test (translation and comment) n/a Graded No

35
Assignment(Including Essay): 1,500-word essay n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided students within 20 working days from the date of the exam or submission of coursework.