Explore UCD

UCD Home >

GRK30110

Academic Year 2025/2026

Greek Texts: Epic (GRK30110)

Subject:
Greek
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Classics
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Bridget Martin
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module studies Book 9 of the Odyssey, to be read in ancient Greek. In the book, Odysseus recounts part of his adventures, including his dramatic escape from the Cyclops Polyphemus. The book develops important epic themes such as heroic identity, cunning intelligence, human hospitality, and divine retribution. Classes will be devoted to reading the text and discussing points of interest. Students will be expected to prepare a section of the text for each class, and to be able to translate, interpret, and discuss it.

The module will be delivered in Autumn 25-26 by Dr Evelien Bracke

The prescribed edition is the following: Bakker, E. J. (ed.) 2025. Homer Odyssey Book IX. Cambridge University Press.
This edition is available to access for free, online through the UCD e-library. < https://go.exlibris.link/wXyVZ7hs >

Please make sure you always bring your copy of the relevant text to lectures.

There are a number of good translations. Though you should not rely on this translation for the class, I would recommend Wilson, E. (tr.) 2018. The Odyssey. W.W. Norton.

To take this module, students are expected to have completed GRK10090 Greek Language I, GRk10100 Greek Language II and GRK20140 Intermediate Greek, or their equivalent.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
* translate the text with confidence and accuracy;
* evaluate modern translations and interpretations of the text;
* answer questions on specific linguistic, sociocultural, political, and literary points of interest in the text;
* construct a relevant and analytical essay on the text.

Indicative Module Content:

We will read and discuss about 30 lines of the text in each class.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

18
Specified Learning Activities

54
Autonomous Student Learning

28
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module is taught in small groups and focuses on reading the text in Greek and discussing points of interest. There will be 18 classes in total.

AI usage for this module is Amber. You are allowed to use Generative AI in order to:
(1) compose and format your bibliography
(2) help you structure your arguments.

Any references to, or use of, AI-generated text needs to be put in inverted commas, like any quotes from other texts.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students taking this module should have at least a year’s experience of Greek language study.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Students may choose to write an essay or complete a creative translation exercise Week 15 Graded No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): 50-minute class test (translation and comment) Week 5 Graded No
35
 No
Exam (In-person): 50-minute class test (translation and comment) Week 11 Graded No
35
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive detailed individual feedback on all their assignments.

Name Role
Evelien Bracke Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.