KT24-25 Greek Epigraphy
Course Name
Greek EpigraphyUniversity
UVAEC
5/6 ECCourse date
semester 1 (2024 - 2025)Registration open until
Location
Athens and Utrecht/Groningen/AmsterdamInstructor(s)
dr. M.P. de Bakker (UvA) & Prof. dr. O.M. van NijfE-mail Contact
dr. M.P. de BakkerCourse objectives
In this course, students
- develop and train their ability and skills to read and interpret Greek inscriptions in accordance with their level of attainment in the language.
- acquire knowledge of the handbooks, corpora and databases for epigraphic research and develop and train the ability to effectively use them for their own research.
- train the editorial principles used in publishing Greek inscriptions.
- learn how to write a systematic commentary on a Greek inscription.
- adopt an interdisciplinary approach to the interpretation of Greek inscriptions by including the original spatial context, the type of monument etc.
Course content
This is an in-depth intensive introduction into Greek Epigraphy with most of the teaching and training in the immediate vicinity of the major archaeological monuments and museums in Athens. The intensive course is preceded by preliminary sessions in the Netherlands, in which basic heuristic instruction is given and Greek inscriptions are studied within their linguistic, literary, and social-historical context.
The course is primarily intended for MA, RMA and PhD students in Classics, Ancient History, Archaeology and Religious Studies, but it is also open to others. The course is part of the curriculum for Research MA and PhD students of the National Research School OIKOS. Prior knowledge of Epigraphy is not necessary, but you need to have a basic level of Greek (a completed elementary course of at least 10 ECTS or a high school exam/A-level in Ancient Greek).
Individual assignments will be set at the appropriate level of Greek. This course is an ideal preparation for using inscriptions in your own research for your (MA or PhD) thesis or for using inscriptions in the classroom.
The course will be taught in English.
The program in Athens consists of site and museum visits combined with epigraphical ambulations. Students prepare flash-presentations (both individually and in groups) to be delivered during these visits. Each student prepares an individual assignment, which consists of a critical edition, an epigraphical lemma and a commentary in relation to one or two specific epigraphical monuments. The assignments are discussed in a work-in-progress session on the final day of the excursion and followed up by a written paper upon return to the Netherlands.
The course is hosted by the Netherlands Institute in Athens, which will serve as starting point for most excursions and ambulations. Some excursions to sites outside Athens are part of the course.
Greek inscriptions can be read and discussed in a secondary school classroom. Students will also become acquainted with Athens, a destination of school excursions.
Students of an Educational Master can do an assignment tailored to an educational purpose. If you want to do such an assignment, please indicate this to the teachers when you register for the course.
Prior knowledge of Epigraphy is not necessary, but you need to have a basic level of Greek (a completed elementary course of at least 10 ECTS or a high school exam/A-level in Ancient Greek).
Assessment
Format
Lectures, Seminars, Site visits, Epigraphical Ambulations
Exam
- Paper 100%
Individual assignment (paper, graded). The students produce a critical edition, epigraphical lemma and commentary, contribute to the work-in-progress session on the last day of the course in Athens and based on the feedback finish their papers upon return in the Netherlands.
- Participation in excursion and tours (not graded)
- Flash-presentations during the course (not graded)
Workload
15 hrs. Study: reading and translating in preparation for the session in the Netherlands
15 hrs. Preparational session in the Netherlands
70 hrs. Excursion Athens, including a group assignment and flash presentations
40 hrs. Individual assignment after the excursion
Background Literature and Course Materials
T.b.a.
Further information
Schedule
Friday 1-11-2024 13:00-17:00 Utrecht
Friday 29-11-2024 13.00-17.00 Amsterdam
Friday 13-12-2024 13.00-17.00 * Groningen
Excursion Athens: 7-17 January 2025
*Er is op 13/12 overlap met het college Creative Imitation. Als er studenten zijn die beide vakken volgen, zullen de docenten een regeling treffen met de betreffende studenten.
Costs
Students book and pay their own flights. A fee may be charged for accommodation at the NIA and local transport costs.
Maximum number of participants
We offer places for a maximum of 12 students. If there are more than 12 applicants, students will be chosen based on (1) their eligibility for the course (the course is designed for MA, RMA, and PhD students in the OIKOS disciplines of Classics, Ancient History, Archaeology, and Religious Studies) and (2) a motivation letter of up to 200 words, in which they explain why they want to take this course and how its content aligns with their study and/or research goals. When allocating places, we aim for an equal distribution across universities (two spaces per institution) and courses (MA, EduMA, RMA, PhD). Eligible students who are not selected will be placed on a waiting list and given priority if they choose to reapply the following year.