Lecturer and course co-ordinator: Associate Professor Anne Mackay

In this course, texts from Homeric epic will be studied: first, Odyssey 1-2, and then selections from Odyssey 6. The emphasis will be on studying these texts as examples of the early Greek epic tradition, with due attention to their characteristic poetic features. The essential prescribed book is:

Odyssey 1-2: ed. P.V. Jones (Warminster: Aris & Phillips 1991), ISBN  9780856684708.

This text is prescribed because it includes an interleafed English translation as well as exceptionally helpful grammatical notes. You are urged to obtain your own copy of it, as you will need it in every class for the first two-thirds of the course. It is currently available from the UK Book Depository for around NZ$46, and from that seller there is no postage charge. The selections from Odyssey 6 will be a complilation from several publications, to be advised (this will not involve an additional book-purchase).

There will be three lectures per week, and students will be expected to have prepared a designated passage of the ancient Greek text in advance of each lecture. More information will be posted nearer the start of the semester.

Course assessment: a test for 25%, an essay for 30%, and a two-hour final examination for 45%.

There will be differentiated expectations for those registered at second-year and third-year levels, and these will be explained in the first lecture.