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GRK30130

Academic Year 2025/2026

Greek Texts: Sophocles (GRK30130)

Subject:
Greek
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Classics
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Bridget Martin
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

In this module students are afforded the opportunity to study in depth the language and context of Athenian drama through one of Sophocles' tragedies. First performed in the 5th century BC, Sophocles' tragedies and tragic characters still resonate with audiences today, whether Oedipus facing the cruelty and inevitability of his fate, Philoctetes grappling with isolation and the tricky balance between community and self, or Antigone defying authority to champion what she believes is right. In this module, students will hone their translation and Greek language skills while also engaging critically and analytically with the themes of the chosen Sophoclean tragedy, as well as the wider theatrical context, including aspects of metre, performance and staging. 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.

The chosen tragedy for Spring 2025/26 is Sophocles' 'Philoctetes'. The prescribed edition is: Shein, Seth L. (ed., trs.) 2013. Sophocles' Philoctetes. Cambridge University Press. Copies of the text are available in hard copy in the UCD James Joyce Library.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
- translate the set lines of the chosen tragedy into idiomatic English
- demonstrate understanding of grammar and syntax in the set lines
- effectively use dictionaries and commentaries to support translation and understanding of the grammar and syntax
- analyse and comment on the context and thematic content of the chosen tragedy
- analyse and comment on the wider theatrical context of the chosen tragedy

Indicative Module Content:

The chosen tragedy for Spring 2025/26 is Sophocles' 'Philoctetes'. Students will prepare a set number of lines of the tragedy for translation and discussion in each class. Some class time will be dedicated to discussing the themes, context and theatrical framework of the tragedy.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

100
Autonomous Student Learning

76
Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is taught through small-group classes. Students will be expected to prepare set passages from the chosen tragedy for translation and discussion in class, and to prepare in advance for group discussions on the thematic topics.

This module is red on the Arts and Humanities traffic-light system for the use of generative AI technology. This means you must not use generative AI technology for any purpose in your assignments. The module coordinator reserves the right to call in any student to discuss their assessment submission.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students are expected to have passed GRK10090 Greek Language I, GRK10100 Greek Language II and GRK20140 Intermediate Greek, or their equivalent.


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
Exam (In-person): In-class test (50 minutes) on grammar, translation and syntax Week 6 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): In-class test (50 minutes) on grammar, translation and syntax Week 11 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Reflective Assignment: Learning journal: submit three journal entries reflecting on different themes, aspects of theatre, etc. Week 14 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No
Student Negotiated or Choice of Assessment: Choice of assessment relating to performance/staging of the tragedy. Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
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 be provided with written feedback through Brightspace on all in-semester class tests and assignments.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 32, 33 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 32, 33 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
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