Modern Greek Section

Paper Gr 3

Introduction to Modern Greek Language and Culture, 2013-14

Click here for the preliminary reading list for Paper Gr 3.

Download a specimen examination paper.
Download the 2009 exam paper.
Download the 2010 exam paper.
Exam papers, including those set since 2010, can also be downloaded from CamTools.

This paper offers students a sound and systematic introduction to the Modern Greek language, and the opportunity to acquaint themselves with key aspects of Greek culture from the late nineteenth century to the present. The aim of the “language” part of the course is to equip students with a good reading knowledge of the contemporary language. The “culture” element consists of the study of (a) four selected literary texts by major authors, (b) an award-winning film of 2003, and (c) a topic relating to the Greek language.

Reading lists will be provided for each text and topic. In addition, a list of preparatory reading, relating to language learning and to literature, history and culture, which students will be expected to undertake before the course starts, will be made available in the Easter Term. There will be information meetings for students interested in learning more about the paper, during the Easter Term 2013. For MML and Classics students, the next meeting is on Wednesday April 24th 2013 at 12 noon in RFB room 327.

The paper is available, in Part IB or Part II of the MML Tripos, to students who have not studied Modern Greek as one of their languages in Part IA, or taken a Certificate or Diploma in the language. Students offering a modern European language in the AMES or Education Tripos may also take the paper. It can also be borrowed by students taking Part II of the Classical Tripos (Paper O2).

The course will be taught by Dr Regina Karousou-Fokas (language) and Dr Liana Giannakopoulou.

[Please note that this paper may not be available after 2013-14.]

The examination

The examination takes the usual form of a three-hour paper, consisting of a compulsory unseen translation, and essay questions on the texts and topics, of which two must be answered. An optional critical commentary may be set on one or more of the literary texts, as an alternative to an essay question.

The language component

Students need to acquire a good reading knowledge of Greek in a very short time. In the first two terms they attend two hours per week of language classes that concentrate on the essentials of grammar. In the Easter Term the emphasis is on translation from Greek. Students will benefit from some preparatory study: at the very least they should familiarize themselves with the Greek alphabet and the rules of pronunciation before the start of the course. Copies of the textbook can be borrowed from the Modern Greek Section office.

The literature and culture component

Modern Greek literature and culture are exceptionally rich and rewarding to study, partly thanks to the long cultural tradition that lies behind them, partly thanks to Greece’s geographical position between West and East. The texts selected for this course are eminently accessible: the poetry of Cavafy, Seferis and Ritsos is internationally recognised and appreciated; the prose text is an interesting example of experimental writing by a contemporary author. The film and the topic on “Language and identity” will appeal to students with specific interests in those subjects, but will also contribute to a broader understanding of Modern Greek culture.

Prescribed texts:

C.P. Cavafy, selected poems
G. Seferis, Μυθιστόρημα
T. Valtinos, Μπλε βαθύ σχεδόν μαύρο
Y. Ritsos, selected poems

Film:

Tassos Boulmetis, Πολίτικη Κουζίνα (A Touch of Spice)

Topics:

Language and identity in Greece, 1900-1976

Literature and culture teaching arrangements

There will be 20 hours of lectures and classes on literature and culture:

Michaelmas Term

3 lectures: Introduction to Modern Greek literature (weeks 1-3)
2 lectures on Language and identity (week 4)
1 lecture and 4 classes: selected poems of C.P. Cavafy (weeks 5-7)

Lent Term

1 lecture on Boulmetis, Πολίτικη Κουζίνα (week 1)
2 lectures on Valtinos, Μπλε βαθύ σχεδόν μαύρο (weeks 2-3)
1 lecture and 4 classes on Seferis, Μυθιστόρημα (weeks 4-6)
2 lectures on Ritsos (weeks 7-8)

Supervisions

A total of eight supervisions will be required, to prepare students for the essay and critical commentary questions in the examination: there will be three supervisions in the Michaelmas Term, three in Lent, and two in Easter.

Those interested in taking the paper or in obtaining more details should contact Dr Regina Karousou-Fokas rk354@cam.ac.uk and Dr Liana Giannakopoulou ag585@cam.ac.uk.