QUEENS COLLEGE Department of European Languages and Literatures SYLLABUS

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1 Intermediate Modern Greek II, GKMD 204 M, W , KG 208 QUEENS COLLEGE Department of European Languages and Literatures SYLLABUS FALL 2009 Instructor: Yannis Zikoudis Office hours: Kiely 702 Mon., Wed.: Tel: yanukos@hotmail.com Aug. 31 Introductory remarks. Sample readings to assess the students reading comprehension level. Sep. 2 A short introduction to the literary movements of Romanticism and Realism in Europe and Greece. Sep. 9 Reading: Short stories by A. Papadiamantis (in English translation, due to the difficulty of the language): Dream among Waters and Eros-Hero. Close reading of samples from the Greek text for an acquaintance with the writer s special idiom. Sep. 14 Writing Assignment 1: Would you describe the stories of Papadiamantis as belonging to the tradition of Romanticism or as examples of realism? Sep. 16 Film: The price of Love by Tonia Marketaki, based on the novel Honor and Money by K. Theotokis. Part 1. Sep. 21 Film: The price of Love, Part 2. Discussion of the influence of realism in the making of both the novel and the film. Writing Assignment 2: Writing a Summary. Sep. 23 Reading: Short stories by Lilika Nakos from the book Children s Inferno (Η κόλαση των παιδιών): Little Helen (Ελενίτσα), Love (Αγάπη), The kitten (Το γατί), Sep. 29 Lilika Nakos: The crazy woman (Η τρελλή), Macedonia (Μακεδονία). Sep. 30 Topics: the 2 nd world war and Greece s occupation by the Nazi army. The effect of the war on the civilian population: the psychological trauma. Greeks and the other, enemies and allies: exploration of the other as means of self-discovery and self-definition. Oct. 5 (Θέµατα: Ο Β παγκόσµιος πόλεµος και η κατοχή, η πείνα και η εξαθλίωση παιδιών και ενηλίκων στην περιοχή των Αθηνών. Οι επιπτώσεις του πολέµου στην ψυχολογία των ηττηµένων. Οι Έλληνες και οι «άλλοι», εχθροί και σύµµαχοι, διερεύνηση του «άλλου» ως ευκαιρία αυτοσυνειδησίας και αυτοπροσδιορισµού.) Oct. 7 A short introduction to Symbolism and Modernism. Oct. 14 Reading selections from the poetry of C.P.Cavafy: The City (Η πόλις), Walls (Τείχη), The windows (Τα παράθυρα), Candles (Κεριά), Voices (Φωνές), Oct. 19 Reading selections from the poetry of C.P.Cavafy: Thermopylae (Θερµοπύλες), Waiting for the Barbarians (Περιµένοντας τους βαρβάρους), Ithaka (Ιθάκη), As much as possible (Όσο µπορείς), Remember, body (Θυµήσου σώµα), Oct. 21 Reading selections from the poetry of C.P.Cavafy: The City (Η πόλις), Walls (Τείχη), The windows (Τα παράθυρα), Candles (Κεριά), Voices (Φωνές). Oct. 26 Reading selections from the poetry of C.P.Cavafy: God forsakes Anthony (Απολείπειν ο θεός Αντώνιον), Kings of Alexandria (Αλεξανδρινοί Βασιλείς), Caesarion (Καισαρίων), Aristoboulos (Αριστόβουλος), Myres, Alexandria of 340 A.D. (Μύρης, Αλεξάνδρεια του 340 µ.χ). Writing Assignment 3: How does Cavafy s poetry make historical events of the past relevant to the present? Oct. 28 Topics: Greek Diaspora, Alexandria as a Greek Metropolis, Hellenistic Era, Globalization in ancient times, Dramatization of historic moments, the individual as the victim of social and political change, The use of History as a tool to interpret the present. The role of the artist in the time of war. (Θέµατα: Ελληνική Διασπορά, Μητροπόλεις του Ελληνισµού, Αλεξάνδρεια χωνευτήρι λαών και πολιτισµών, Ελληνιστική εποχή, Παγκοσµιοποίηση, Δραµατοποίηση ιστορικών στιγµών, το άτοµο ως θύµα των κοινωνικών και πολιτικών αλλαγών, η χρήση της ιστορίας ως εργαλείου για την ερµηνεία του παρόντος. Α παγκόσµιος πόλεµος. Ο ρόλος της Τέχνης σε περιόδους κρίσης.)

2 Nov. 2 Nov. 4 Nov. 9 Nov. 11 Nov. 16 Nov. 18 Nov. 23 Nov. 25 Nov. 30 Dec. 2 Dec. 7 Dec. 9 TBA George Seferis, The last stop (Τελευταίος σταθµός). Topics: An estimate of the experience of a world war. People s behavior in and out of war. Pessimism. Modernism. Free Verse. Fragmented speech. Symbolism. Free association. Dream Sequence. (Θέµατα: Αποτίµηση του πολέµου, η συµπεριφορά των ανθρώπων µέσα κι έξω από τον πόλεµο, Πεσσιµισµός, Μοντερνισµός, Ελεύθερος στίχος, κατακερµατισµένος λόγος, συµβολισµός, συνειρµός, ονειρική λογική.) George Seferis,, Mycenae (Β Μυκήνες), In the manner of GS (Με τον τρόπο του ΓΣ). George Seferis, On a foreign verse (Πάνω σ ένα ξένο στίχο). George Seferis, Our place is confined (Ο τόπος µας είναι κλειστός), I woke up with this marble head in my hands (Ξύπνησα µε το µαρµάρινο τούτο κεφάλι στα χέρια). Topics: Symbolism (statues, ships, postponed or cancelled travels). The relation of Md Greeks with history. The burden of Antiquity. Imported and Domestic Nationalistic Ideology. Problems of Identity. (Θέµατα: Συµβολισµός (αγάλµατα, καράβια, ταξίδια που αναστέλλονται), η σχέση του νέου ελληνισµού µε την ιστορία, το βάρος της παράδοσης, εθνικιστική ιδεολογία εισαγόµενη και εγχώρια, προβλήµατα ταυτότητας.) Writing Assignment 4: How has the political decision to resort to the historic past of Greece for the formation of the identity of the modern state affected life and culture in the 20 th century? Readings from The Sarcophagus, by George Ioannou: The Siren (Η σειρήνα) Milk (Το γάλα), The Five Hundred Note (Το πεντακοσάρι) WWII, the occupation, hunger and desolation in the area of Thessaloniki. Comparison with the testimonial writing style of Lilika Nakos. (Θέµατα: Ο Β παγκόσµιος πόλεµος και η κατοχή, η πείνα και η εξαθλίωση στην περιοχή της Θεσσαλονίκης. Συγκρίσεις µε Νάκου.) Readings from The Sarcophagus, by George Ioannou: The Sarcophagus (Η σαρκοφάγος), The Heads (Τα κεφάλια) Readings from For Personal Integrity (Για ένα φιλότιµο), by George Ioannou: Στα καµένα και Ο µπάτης Topics: Answer to Seferis questions about the uncomfortable cohabitation of modern Greeks with the ancient past of the country. Artifacts from ancient Greece are selected as symbols to render the relation of Md Greeks to antiquity. (Θέµατα: Απάντηση στον προβληµατισµό του Σεφέρη. Έργα τέχνης από την αρχαία Ελλάδα και από το Βυζάντιο επιλέγονται σαν σύµβολα για να αποδώσουν την σχέση των νέων ελλ. µε αρχαίους.) Writing Assignment 5: In what way is the description of ancient Greek artifacts in the writings of Ioannou different from that of Seferis? Preparation for the Final. FINAL EXAM Course Description. This is the second in a two-semester intermediate sequence. It is designed as a continuation of Modern Greek 203 with grammar review, conversation, and readings in literary and cultural materials at an intermediate or advanced level. You will learn to engage in conversations and express your thoughts and opinions on a broad range of topics arising from the reading of contemporary Greek literature. Assessment. Your final grade will be calculated as follows: Class work 20% Writing Assignments (5): 50% Final Exam: 30% Class Work (Attendance, Participation and Homework): All texts must be read in Greek. Since the language of these texts covers a wide variety of the Greek idiom, certain difficulties in reading and comprehending these texts will occur. Regular class participation and out-of-class preparation is therefore required. You will be expected to

3 do all homework assignments and actively contribute to class presentations and discussions. Irregular attendance and unexcused absences will affect your grade. Homework and Writing Assignments: Will include reading selections from contemporary Greek Literature, selected exercises from grammar review books and 5 writing assignments on the reading selections or the topics discussed in class. Each assignment should be about 5-6 paragraphs in length. Be sure to leave a space between each line for comments and corrections. You are encouraged to rewrite each assignment to improve your writing skills and your grade. Required books: Photocopies of the readings to be covered in class will be provided by the instructor in class or will be available online. Recommended books: D.N.Stavropoulos, Oxford Greek-English Learner s Dictionary (1992) D.N.Stavropoulos, Oxford English-Greek Learner s Dictionary (1992) D. Holton, P. Mackridge and I. Philippaki-Warburton, Greek, A Comprehensive Grammar of the Modern Language (Routledge 1997) R. Beaton, An Introduction to Modern Greek Literature, Oxford (1994). R.Clogg, A Concise History of Modern Greece, Cambridge University Press (1992). Course Goals: 1. Improve linguistic fluency in Greek and acquire a broad knowledge of Modern Greek language and literature. 2. Expose students to a variety of the Greek idiom. Develop the skill to identify the idiomatic phrase and adjust it to current language usage. 3. Provide historic and cultural context to the texts read. 4. Enhance awareness of cultural aspects of language use. 5. Practice critical reading and writing, working with academic writing conventions: stating a thesis; collecting, presenting and interpreting data in order to support a thesis; reaching a conclusion. 6. Practice summarizing, paraphrasing and quoting skills and techniques. 7. Introduce Critical Theory terms to students and help them differentiate between different genres, writing styles and literary movements. 8. Apply Critical Theory terms in writing reports on the literature read in the target language.

4 Queens College Department of European Languages and Literatures Modern Greek 204 Intermediate Modern Greek II Fall 2007 Instructor: Gerasimus Katsan Office: King Hall 209A Office Hours: T H 12:15 1:15 p.m. Phone: (718) gerasimus.katsan@qc.cuny.edu (GKMD 204 AT3RA/1926) T H 10: 50 a.m. 12:05 p.m., Kiely Hall 119a Course Description: This course is a continuation of GKMD 203 (Intermediate Modern Greek I). The course will focus on grammar review, development of conversation skills, listening comprehension, writing, and readings at an intermediate level. The course will incorporate aspects of Greek culture such as music and film. Required Text: Αρβανιτάκη: Επικοινωνήστε Ελληνικά 3. [Arvanitaki: Communicate in Greek 3] Student Responsibilities and Class Policies: 1. Attending and participating in class activities. Because most of the work we will be doing in class involves new grammatical forms, speaking, reading and comprehension practice (e.g. daily contact with the language) in order for you to be successful you need to attend class. Unexcused absences will seriously and adversely affect your participation grade. In addition, scheduled quizzes as well as pop quizzes will happen on a regular basis. I will not give make-ups, so it will be important to be there. 2. Students are expected to arrive to each session on time and prepared for that day s lesson. Absence from a prior class is no excuse for being unprepared or for missed homework assignments. If you miss class it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and what will be due next class. Chronic tardiness will not be tolerated. 3. Due Dates. All assignments will be due at the beginning of class on the date specified. Late work will not be accepted. If you foresee a problem with completing an assignment on time, please contact me immediately and before the due date, so we can discuss the possibility of an extension. Extensions, however, will only be granted under serious and unavoidable circumstances. 4. Turn off all cell-phones before coming to class, or, better yet, don t bring them into class at all. Assignments and Evaluation: Attendance and Participation: 15% Homework: 15% Oral Presentation 10% Quizzes: 20% Midterm Exam: 20% Final Exam: 20%

5 Dates to Remember: Monday, September 3: Labor Day (college closed). Thursday, September 13: Rosh Hashanah. NO CLASS. Tuesday, September 18: classes follow a Friday schedule. NO CLASS. Monday, October 8: Columbus Day observed (college closed). Thursday, October 25: MIDTERM EXAM. Thursday, November 22 Friday, November 23: Thanksgiving (college closed). Friday, December 14 Saturday, December 22: Final Exams. TBA: FINAL EXAM. Weekly Schedules: Assignments for the upcoming week normally will be handed out in class on the Thursday of the preceding week.