PAPYROLOGY AND CLASSICAL PHILOLOGY
cod. 1004626

Academic year 2017/18
2° year of course - First semester
Professor responsible for the course unit
AGNESINI Alex
integrated course unit
12 credits
hub: PARMA
course unit
in ITALIAN

Course unit structured in the following modules:

Learning objectives

The aim is to improve competence in the discipline of Papyrology (advancing skills in reading papyrus texts and using the bibliographical and digital instruments to deepen a correct understanding of interdisciplinary aspects offered by the sources) and to acquire secure skills for evaluating the contribution of sources to the history of the text. Introduction to a proper and responsible method of reading, interpretation and study of literary and documentary texts found on papyri (workshops on unpublished texts are also envisaged).

Prerequisites

Prerequisites are competence in both basic Papyrological skills, in classical languages (Greek and Latin), and in a historical or cultural area such as Greek and Latin Literature, Greek History, Roman History, and Classical Archaeology.

Course unit content

Classical Philology unit:

The course will focus on 15 th century philologists, with particular reference to the recovery of classical texts. In addition philological issues will be treated.

Papirology unit:

1) Papyri as objects and sources: text and context
2) Critical edition of papyri: deciphering, transcribing, interpreting (with basics of Greek and Latin palaeography)
3) Papyri as literary sources (philological, linguistic and scribal variants; papyri and ancient literature)
4) Papyri and ancient book production
5) (Para)literary papyri as historical sources
6) Digital papyrology and the development of a new concept of “critical edition”

Full programme

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Bibliography

Classical Philology unit
- P. Maas, Critica del testo, trad. it. di N. Martinelli, presentazione di G. Pasquali, con lo Sguardo retrospettivo 1956 e una nota di Luciano Canfora. – 3a ed., 2a rist., Firenze, Le Monnier
- G. Pasquali, Storia della tradizione e critica del testo, Firenze, Le Lettere

Papirology unit:
E.G. Turner, Papiri greci, ed. it. a c. di M. Manfredi, Roma: Carocci, 2002.
R.S. Bagnall: Papiri e storia antica, ed. it. a c. di M. Capasso, Roma: Bardi, 2007
H. Blanck, Il libro nel mondo antico, ed. it. a c. di R. Otranto, Bardi: Dedalo, 2008

Teaching methods

The course consists of classroom lectures supplemented by weekly
tutorials.
In particular, about the papirology unit:
lessons, seminars or meetings. Ppt projections and seminar materials prepared for each session prior to attending class. A written paper concerning a pattern of a text edition will be required at the end of the course. A specialized Seminar will deal with the transcription and study of unpublished texts. A training in the use of bibliographical instruments to deepen a correct understanding of interdisciplinary aspects offered by the sources is also included.

Assessment methods and criteria

Students will be assessed by an oral examination based on the readings
and other material used in the course.
The assessment aims to test:
1) proper knowledge and critical understanding of the history of classical texts and proper knowledge and critical understanding of papirology;
2) proper reading and translation of classical texts;
3) critical and interpretation skills along with the ability to produce
personal reinterpretation and interdisciplinary links;
4) oral proficiency; correct use of language; ability to give proper answers
to given questions.
Students will have to fully achieve the first two assessment criteria and
score a minimum of 60 percent or better to get a pass grade.

Other information

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