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GRK30130

Academic Year 2026/2027

Greek Texts: Sophocles (GRK30130)

Subject:
Greek
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Classics
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
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.

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.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Competent

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Competent

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Not addressed

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Not addressed

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Not addressed

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Not addressed

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Not addressed

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Advanced Beginner

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Novice

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Competent

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 2
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

100
Autonomous Student Learning

76
Lectures

24
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 Component repeat (in-module) 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
35
 No
Reflective Assignment: Learning journal: submit two journal entries reflecting on different themes, aspects of theatre, etc. Week 5, Week 10 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Student Negotiated or Choice of Assessment: Choice of assessment relating to performance/staging of the tragedy. Week 14 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


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 be provided with written feedback through Brightspace on all in-semester class tests and assignments.

Mandatory book: Shein, Seth L. (ed., trs.) 2013. Sophocles' Philoctetes. Cambridge University Press.
Please note that copies of the text are available in hard copy in the UCD James Joyce Library (i.e. you do not need to buy the book)

Recommended reading will be included in the module coursebook.

Name Role
Dr Christopher Farrell 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
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