Modern Greek Literature Stories

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Summary module description:
Aims:
To introduce some major authors and works as well as trends in Modern Greek Poetry and Fiction from the late 19th century to the late 20th century To analyse selected poems and novels in connection with both the history, sociocultural context and wider literary developments of their period To illustrate attitudes to the ancient past in the work of some selected poets and novelists.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module, students are expected to:
Relate the interpretation of specific poems/novels to the original historical and literary contexts in which these were
produced.
Complement the analysis presented in the lectures with additional information assembled by their
own research.
Analyse in detail selected poems/ passages through written commentaries.
Discuss the structure and literary artistry of the works studied.
Additional outcomes:
Students will improve their skills in:
a) giving oral presentations and taking part in discussion groups
b) researching secondary literature.
Outline content:
Since its emergence in 1821 the Modern Greek State has had a dramatic history with rapid political, economic and social change but also an unprecedented output of creative literature of all kinds. This course introduces the work of some of the most important Greek writers since the late 19th century. Greek novelists and poets exploiting Greeklanguage and culture in all their age-long richness as well as being often influenced by other European literary movements have, in these last two centuries, created a national literature which has, through translation, gained its distinct place in a European and global context. The
course begins with the collected stories of Vizyinos. A survey of Cavafy's collected poems follows as well as some selected poems from the 1930s generation (Seferis' Mythistorima, Ritsos' Moonlight Sonata, some poems from the large oeuvre of Elytis).
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will be taught through a series of 10 1 hour lectures and 2-3 weeks of students' own independent research.

Contact hours:
Lectures- 10
Guided independent study- 90
Total hours by term- 100
Total hours for module- 100

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written Assignment including essay- 100%

Other information on summative assessment:
Students are required to write one essay of c. 3000 words to be submitted on the first day of the following term.

Formative assessment methods:

Length of examination:
N/A

Requirements for a pass:
40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission in August.