GRK 391 (GRK 201): from Homeric to Ionic Greek

GRK 391 (GRK 201): From Homeric to Ionic Greek

Instructor information:

· Instructor: Matthew Semanoff

· Office: LA 425

· Email:

· Phone: 243-2401

· Office hours: MWF 2:00-3:00 and by appointment

Course Information:

Time: 10:00-10:50 MWF

Place: SS 340

Course description:

The goal of this class is to make the transition from Homeric Greek poetry to Ionic Greek prose, thus setting the stage for standard Classical Greek prose. Students will hone the skills necessary to read Greek literature with minimal assistance, and will become familiar with standard references used for advanced study of Greek literature. Students will review Homeric Greek grammar and syntax through continuous readings from the Odyssey. In the ninth week, we will shift to reading Herodotus, as a means of making the transition from Homeric Greek to standard Classical Greek.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the semester, the successful student will:

have a solid understanding of Homeric Greek grammar and syntax.
have an expanded Greek vocabulary.
know how to use standard reference works effectively.
begin to recognize how various dialects differ and relate to one another.
begin to be able to read Greek prose with fluidity.

Required textbooks:

We will continue with the textbook from GRK 101-102 (AY 2016-2017):

Schoder, Reading Course in Homeric Greek (3rd revised edition).

Also required:

Sheets, Herodotus Book 1 (Hackett 1993).

Suggested Materials (also available from the UM Bookstore):

Schoder and Horrigan, Transition to Attic Greek: Supplement to “A Reading Course in Homeric Greek.” (Focus Press 2006).

Course Schedule:

Course guidelines and policies:

Grading policy

Your grade will be calculated by the following breakdown: Participation 15%, Homework 10%, Grammar Notebook 20%, Vocabulary quizzes 25%, Tests and Examinations 30%.

Participation (15%):

Active participation is vital to the success of learning a foreign language. Participation is not the same as attendance. Although the English word “attendance” conventionally means “to be present,” the English term is derived from the Latin attendere (ad + tendere), which means literally “to stretch toward” or more generally “to direct or turn toward.” From this root, the Latin term takes on various meanings including not only “to direct attention to, apply the mind to, to attend to,” but also “to strive eagerly for” and “to be intent on.” To this end, “to attend” Prof. Semanoff’s GRK 391 class means to be present, to stretch one’s intellect toward the subject matter at hand, to direct attention to the διδάσκαλος and other μαθηταί, and to strive eagerly to learn Greek. You will earn points based on your presence in class and your willingness to participate.

Students will receive daily participation grades on a 3 to 0 scale: 3 points for being present, prepared, and generally attentive, a 2 for being present and willing to participate even if not adequately prepared, 1 for being present, but unable or overly hesitant to participate, and 0 for absence.

PLEASE NOTE: Repeated tardiness or getting up in the middle of class is considered part of your attendance record. Similarly, dealing with a phone, whether silencing an incoming call, answering a call, sending or receiving text messages is part of your attendance record; you are not “attending” class, if you are frequently responding to messages emanating from outside the classroom. Additionally, these are distracting to your instructor and fellow classmates. Please show respect by limiting these types of disruptions.

Written Homework (10%):

Written homework will be collected on a regular basis. Often, we will spend a portion of the class hour going over homework as a means of practicing pronunciation, and getting immediate feedback on translations. Students are expected to make corrections on any assignments we go over in class. All corrections should be made in a different color than used to complete the work. Homework should be written legibly, skipping every other line to allow comments, on loose-leaf notebook paper. I encourage you to keep a 3-ring binder with your homework for review.

Written homework will be graded on a 5 point scale: Late homework will not be accepted without arrangements made prior to the due date.

5 / homework complete, largely correct (occasional errors are expected) and demonstrates careful effort and diligence / letter grade A = 100%
4 / homework nearly complete with more frequent errors but still demonstrates careful and dilligent work / letter grade A- = 92%
3 / homework partially complete but largely error-free OR complete but with frequent errors, or homework that was gone over in class but has no corrections marked / letter grade B = 84%
2 / homework incomplete with significant errors, seemingly carelessly or hastily attempted / letter grade C = 74%
0 / homework not submitted.

In conjunction with written homework, students will be required to complete on-line drills available on a Moodle course shell, similar to those used during GRK 102. Please contact me with any questions regarding setting up electronic devices to display and input unicode Greek.

Grammar Notebook (20%):

Students will keep a notebook demonstrating specific examples of grammatical constructions in authentic Greek texts. This assignment will allow students to write their own Greek Grammar based on texts with which they are familiar. It is intended as an opportunity to review the grammar and syntax studied in Greek 101 and 102, a means of reinforcing one’s understanding of grammatical and syntactical concepts, and a means of producing a reference to use in future studies. When a specific grammatical construction occurs, (for example the use of a specific case (e.g. use of the possessive genitive, genitive of agent, genitive of source, etc.) or a type of clause (e.g. actual or natural result clauses), students will record the construction in their notebooks. Notebooks will be collected periodically. This notebook will also aid in the transition from Homeric Greek to Ionic Greek. More details to follow.

Vocabulary Quizzes (25%):

In this class, we are trying to work towards a Greek vocabulary that comprises approximately 80% of words, which constitutes about 1100 items in Greek. Thanks to the hard work of a number of scholars, core vocabulary lists have been developed. While working on Homeric Greek we will continue to work on the vocabulary lists provided in the textbooks. Later in the semester, vocabulary quizzes will be based on frequency of occurrence in Herodotus and whether the term coincides with the core vocabulary lists developed by C. Francese at Dickinson College. Vocabulary quizzes will be weekly.

Tests (30%):

Students will take four tests over the course of the semester (three midterms and a final exam), one roughly every four weeks. The tests will be based on the readings and will focus on grammar and translation. Students will be expected to translate a prepared passage, explain certain grammatical features of the passage, and translate a brief passage previously unprepared (sight-passage). Additionally, students will take a final examination of similar format.

Expectations:

Attendance

I expect you to make every effort to attend class. If you are unable to do so, please contact me; you are responsible for making any necessary arrangements for whatever you missed in class. Late homework will not be accepted. I will not reschedule quizzes or exams unless arrangements have been made prior to the absence. Poor attendance will affect your participation grade.

Preparation

In second year Greek, students should begin the process of learning to read Greek without writing out a complete English translation. A bulk of the time in class will be spent looking at the Greek text, reading it and discussing it. Students will be expected to be able to read the Greek text and turn it into English without the help of a full written translation. After all, our goal is to read the Greek not an English translation. Prior to class, students should work out rough translations of the assigned passage with careful attention to grammatical constructions and vocabulary; I encourage you to take notes where appropriate, but limit the time spent on carefully worded translations. Notes should serve to jog your memory in class, rather than replace the Greek text. In class, we will review the text and focus on its meaning. I recommend keeping a list of vocabulary words, noting any grammatical features that will help reconstruct the meaning of the Greek in class (e.g. special cases used). I also recommend keeping a clean copy of the text for review and study. Students who read a written English translation when called on will be asked to explain the grammar more carefully except in cases when the Greek is easily understood (i.e. very rarely).

Disability modifications

The University of Montana assures equal access to instruction through collaboration between students with disabilities, instructors, and Disability Services for Students. If you think you may have a disability adversely affecting your academic performance, and you have not already registered with Disability Services, please contact Disability Services in Lommasson Center 154 or call 406.243.2243. I will work with you and Disability Services to provide an appropriate modification.

Student Conduct Code

All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University. All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at Student Conduct Code (http://life.umt.edu/vpsa/student_conduct.php).

Email and Moodle:

This class will use a Moodle course supplement. Students will need to know their Net ID and associated password to access Moodle. All announcements concerning assignments, quizzes, events, etc. will be posted to Moodle and sent to university email accounts. Supplemental handouts will also be posted to Moodle. Please Note: Homework assignments will not generally be posted to Moodle. Students are responsible for checking their university email accounts or ensuring that any email sent to their university account is forwarded to their preferred account.

Tentative Class Schedule: First Five Weeks:

We will work to cover Lessons 73-119 in the first 8 weeks of the semester, gradually building how much material we can cover in a 50 minute period. You are still responsible for any material we do not get to in class, so please prepare diligently so that we can work through new material efficiently. I encourage you all to visit me during office hours with any questions that you may have on the assignments.

9/1/17 / Friday / Introduction to the Second Year: Return to Polyphemus (Lesson 73)
Week 1
9/4/17 / Monday / Labor Day - No Class
9/6/17 / Wednesday / Prepare Lessons 74-75
9/8/17 / Friday / Prepare Lessons 76-77
Vocabulary Quiz 74-77 (core words)
Week 2
9/11/17 / Monday / Prepare Lessons 79-80
9/13/17 / Wednesday / BOR Butte: Sight Reading as a Group?
9/15/17 / Friday / Prepare Lessons 81-82
Vocabulary Quiz 79-82 (core words)
Week 3
9/18/17 / Monday / Prepare Lessons 83 AND 85
9/20/17 / Wednesday / Prepare Lessons 86-87
9/22/17 / Friday / Review Session
Vocabulary Quiz 83-87 (core words)
Week 4
9/25/17 / Monday / Test 1
9/27/17 / Wednesday / Prepare 88-89
9/29/17 / Friday / Prepare 91-92
Week 5
10/2/17 / Monday / Prepare 93-94
Vocabulary Quiz 88-94 (core words)
10/4/17 / Wednesday / Prepare 95 AND 97
10/6/17 / Friday / Prepare 98-99

Test Dates:

10/18/17 Test 2

11/17/17 Test 3: Homer and Herodotus

12/15/17 Final Exam