The course aims to reflect on some aspects of the concept of "happiness" in Greek thought from the Classical to the Socratic-Platonic reflection.

The purpose is to illustrate - with a concrete example of the story of the concept of "happiness", which played a considerable role in the ethics and politics of the Greeks, some methodological aspects of historical and intellectual history and mentality.

The first part of the course will focus on the critical reading of Aristophanes’ Aves, a comedy in which the concept of "happy life" is the object of research and reflection on the part of the protagonists of the drama, in the emerging contrast between illusory hopes in a imagined polis, governed by the order, and the disillusionment caused by the disorganization and the corruption of the real polis.

The second part will address the reading of Plato's dialogue Philebus, an important dialogue, dating back to the maturity of Plato. The dialogue focuses on the theme of the good life and happiness of the soul.

Any other additional texts will be distributed and read in class, always from the original language.

It is requested a solid knowledge of the Greek language.

From the point of view of the information obtained, the student will acquire a thorough knowledge of an ethical notion of fundamental value in the history of ancient Greek mentality.

More in general, the process of analytical reading of selected texts will have significant consequences on the ability to

From the point of view of the information obtained, the student will acquire a thorough knowledge of an ethical notion of fundamental value in the history of ancient Greek mentality.

More in general, the process of analytical reading of selected texts will have significant consequences on the ability to competently and rigorously address the reading of the sources (literary, historiographical, philosophical etc.), and on developing  skills of analysis, close reading, synthesis and critical thinking on data and sources.

From the educational point of view, the students will deepen their awareness of specific methodological issues characterizing the historical investigation, as well as their sensitivity to the formal, aesthetic and rhetorical features of literary discourse in poetry and in prose.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The course will be complemented by seminars and conferences relevant to the subject or, in any case, relevant to methods and themes concerning literary studies.

Teaching

Front Lessons

Attendance

it is strongly recommended to regularly attend classes.

The student is required to complete reading of all the texts in verse and prose foreseen in the program, and to translate and comment them according to the lines indicated in the course.

The student is also required to read the study texts provided in the program and those possibly indicated by the teacher during the lessons.

The student must, also, show a knowledge of Greek literature with particular attention to the chapters (authors, works, literary-historical periods) that constituted the main topic in the course.

Course books

The student is required to:

1. reading all text, in verse and prose, addressed in the lectures;

2. reading of Aristophanes’Aves; Recommended Edition: Nan Dunbar, Aristophanes: Birds, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1995 (the edition is available at the University Library). Further editions will be suggested during the lectures;

3. reading of Plato's dialogue Philebus; Recommended Edition: Platonis Opera, recognovit Ioannes Burnet, tomus II, Oxford, Oxford Classical Texts, 1901 (the edition is available at the library of the University). Further editions will be suggested during the lectures;

4. reading a manual of Ancient Greek Literature in relation to authors and topics covered in class;

5. further additional readings will be indicated during the lessons.

The texts indicated that will not be available at the University Library will be made available by the teacher.

Assessment

Written and oral exam:

- The written exam requires the translation and commentary of a short text drawn from the set of texts discussed in class; a written test will be fixed for each exam session; it will be only valid for oral examinations in each of the appeals of the same session;

- The oral exam includes general questions on the subject of the course and the translation of a piece of text that is not yet included among those commented in class.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

There are no teaching methods in e-learning.

Attendance

The student is required to complete reading of all the texts in verse and prose foreseen in the program, and to translate and comment them according to the lines indicated in the course.

The student is also required to read the study texts provided in the program and those possibly indicated by the teacher during the lessons.

The student must, also, show a knowledge of Greek literature with particular attention to the chapters (authors, works, literary-historical periods) that constituted the main topic in the course.

Course books

The student is required to:

1. reading all text, in verse and prose, addressed in the lectures;

2. reading of Aristophanes’Aves; Recommended Edition: Nan Dunbar, Aristophanes: Birds, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1995 (the edition is available at the University Library). Further editions will be suggested during the lectures;

3. reading of Plato's dialogue Philebus; Recommended Edition: Platonis Opera, recognovit Ioannes Burnet, tomus II, Oxford, Oxford Classical Texts, 1901 (the edition is available at the library of the University). Further editions will be suggested during the lectures;

4. reading a manual of Ancient Greek Literature in relation to authors and topics covered in class;

5. further additional readings will be indicated during the lessons.

The texts indicated that will not be available at the University Library will be made available by the teacher.

Assessment

Written and oral exam:

- The written test is the translation and the commentary of a short text drawn from the set of commented texts in class; a written test will be fixed for each examination session; it will result in a judgment of suitability / unsuitability to the oral test in each of the appeals provided for in the same session;

- The oral exam includes general questions on the subject of the course and of a portion of text translation test - among those planned - not included among those commented in class.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.