GENERAL SYLLABUS, GREEK LYRIC POETS, GRW 6345 (and 4330, see end)
Text:
D. Campbell, Selections from the Greek Lyric Poets (first St. Martin's,
1967; now available from "International Publishers" @ $22.75 ($11 cheaper
than Focus, where we have had to go before).
You will also need an Intermediate LSJ Greek-English Dictionary
(or the big Unabridged); the ABRIDGED LSJ is NOT adequate, for it
lacks too many of the words you will be looking up.
This will be primarily a reading course, reading mostly fragments
of rather difficult stuff (often with mild dialect complications).
The poets whom we will read (about 650-450 BC), though they present manifold
problems, are great fun: Archilochus, Alcman, Callinus, Tyrtaeus, Sappho,
Alcaeus, Solon (if he can be called a poet), Mimnermus, Anacreon, Simonides,
Bacchylides, and a few others. One thing the course certainly has is a
variety of texts. The fragmentary nature of much of the material can be
frustrating, but also sometimes tantalizingly and intriguing.
The class format will be that normal in advanced reading classes:
for the most part, students translating the prepared passages, and teacher/class
discussion. I will often provide notes and parallels in addition
to those in Campbell (which are, incidentally, in general good and always
to be consulted). Depending on who is in the class, we might read
some Pindar poems near the end of the course (not in Campbell); I will
provide some commentaries and helps.
We will have a midterm and a final (unless the class prefers two midterms,
which probably is better). There will also be a short paper required
(5 pp. or so); I will probably have students give an oral version of the
project, as well.
GRW 4330: Advanced undergraduates, with a good background, may
take the course as 4330 (3 units). They should see or contanct
me before enrolling. The undergraduates will usually be given somewhat
shorter assignments and a little slack in their degree of control over
the materials.