Fall 2005

GK 390 • Plato

Course Description

The main aim of this course is to improve your facility in reading Greek prose. Most of our time and effort will be devoted to translating with accuracy, precision, and increasing velocity two of Platos dialogues: first a short dyo-logue (probably either the Ion or the Hippias Minor) which portrays Socrates examining a self-professed expert on topics of central importance to classical Greek culture; then the magisterial Gorgias, which depicts a sustained inquiry into the nature, effect, and value of rhetoric, politics, and philosophy -- in short, an epic clash of value-systems and world-views. Well also read the short logos (speech or pamphlet or both) known as Encomium of Helen by Gorgias himself. Each student will be responsible for reading independently a third Platonic dialogue (or comparable portion of one) of her or his choice. Time in class will be devoted mainly to translating Platos prose. Some sessions will also include lectures on essential points of syntax and style: moods, participles, particles, and the like. There will be occasional exercises and quizzes, and a final exam covering a) the Gorgias, b) each students third dialogue, and c) unseen passages from the Platonic corpus (i.e. sight translation). No research paper is required. Exercises and quizzes will account for 50% of the grade, the exam for 30%, and daily preparation, performance, and progress the remainder.

Texts

Required Text: Platonis Opera vol. 3, ed. J. Burnet (OCT) Plato: Gorgias, ed. E.R. Dodds (Oxford pb) H.W. Smyth, Greek Grammar (Harvard) Optional: J.D. Denniston, Greek Particles (Hackett)

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