Introduction to studies of the Ancient World I: Classical studies

Teacher(s)

Moureau Sébastien; Smeesters Aline;

Language

French

Prerequisites

None, but a basic knowledge of Greek and Latin is strongly recommended.

Main themes

The course deals with the following themes:
1. Historical and geographical landmarks in classical Antiquity;
2. History of alphabetic writing from its Phoenician origins;
3. History of Greek and Latin literary sources (composition, transmission and reception);
4. Presentation of the other textual sources (inscription and papyrus) and the relevant sciences.

Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	At the end of this course, the student will have acquired a good knowledge of the texts sources of Graeco-Roman Antiquity, and the various disciplines for their study. He will also have mastered the approaches and working tools  that are necessary for the study of Antiquity.

The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.

Content

The course gives a general introduction to the different types of sources that are relevant to the study of Classical Antiquity (literary, palaeographic, papyrological, archaeological and numismatic), putting the accent on the history of their transmission across the centuries and the manner through which we can reach them (via the editions and collection of reference). The student is also taught how to make use of them (by means of a series of specific disciplines, palaeography, papyrology, archaeology, iconography, numismatics, codicology, ecdotica).
The course also deals with different aspects of Graeco-Roman civilisation which are pertinent to the study and correct understanding and interpretation of these sources, such as mythology or the chronology. It helps the student to find his bearings amidst the cornucopia of modern sources and to a better utilisation of the resources offered by the library.

Teaching methods

This course is taught by two lecturers. There will also be exercises relevant to the teaching.

Evaluation methods

Oral exam (80 %) with a written work based on the exercise sessions (20%).
In case of failure of the oral exam in June, the mark for the written work remains valid in September (unless the student wishes to present it again).
If the student succeeds at the oral exam but not at the written work, only the written work needs to be presented again.

Other information

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Online resources

The student will find on the iCampus server the essential of the course as well as a bibliography and the essential documentation.
The student will find it necessary to use:
- the website of the philological year: (http://www.annee-philogique.com/aph);
- the websites of the UCL library(http://bib.uclouvain.be);
- the website of the Bibliotheca classica selecta (http://bcs.fltr.ucl.ac.be).

Bibliography

Un syllabus complet du cours est disponible.

Faculty or entity

GLOR