CL2SI-My Mother's Sin and other Stories

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Dimitra Tzanidaki-Kreps
Email: d.tzanidaki-kreps@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

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 centuryÌý

To analyse selected poems and novels in connection with both the history, sociocultural context and wider literary developments of their periodÌý

To illustrate attitudes to the ancient past in the work of some selected poets and novelists.Ìý

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 centuryÌý


• To analyse selected poems and novels in connection with both the history, sociocultural context and wider literary developments of their periodÌý


• To illustrate attitudes to the ancient past in the work of some selected poets and novelists.Ìý

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 producedÌý


• Complement the analysis presented in the lectures with additional information assembled by their own researchÌý


• Analyse in detail selected poems/ passages through written commentariesÌý


• Discuss the structure and literary artistry of the works studied.Ìý

Additional outcomes:

Students will improve their skills in:Ìý

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 Greek language and culture in all their age-long richness as well as being often influenced by other European literary movements have, in these last two centu ries, 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).Ìý

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught through a series of 10 2 hour lectures in the autumn term.Ìý