University of Florida Homepage

GRW 4700: Greek Orators (Fall 2014)

Time and Location Demosthenes

  • M W F Period 4, Dauer 138

Required Texts

  • Liddell, H.G., and Robert Scott, eds., An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon, 7th ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1945).
  • Smyth, Herbert W., Greek Grammar (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1956).

Recommended Texts

  • MacDowell, D.M. Demosthenes Against Meidias (London: Duckworth Publishing, 2003).

Course Description

Study of Demosthenes 21 with particular attention to rhetorical methods of persuasion, the social dynamics of the disputing process, and the political and cultural impact of law on the Athenian democracy. Topics to be explored will include citizenship, authority, punishment, and ideology. In addition, students will gain a familiarity with new approaches to Greek law drawn from cultural studies, legal anthropology, legal studies, and political science.

Course Requirements

  • Attendance (5%): No unexcused absences.
  • Participation (10%) based on translation of daily assignments.
  • Three Hourly Examinations: September 26 (20%), October 31 (30%), December 10 (35%). All exams are “closed book.”  No study aids may be used during exams.

Weekly Assignments

  • Translation of sections of Demosthenes 21 (approximately 3-4 OCT pages per week), depending on the difficulty of the text.
  • Review of Greek grammar (daily).
  • Sight translation (every Friday).

Grading Scale

A = 93-100%
A- = 90-92.9%
B+ = 87-89.9%
B = 83-86.9%
B- = 79-82.9%
C+ = 75-78.9%
C = 72-74.9%
C- = 69-71.9%
D+ = 66-68.9%
D = 62-65.9%
D- = 60-61.9%
E < 60%

Grading Policy

  • Students are expected to complete all requirements on the specified dates and will not be granted an alternate date unless they have an acceptable reason for their absence as specified in the undergraduate catalog, fulfill the conditions described therein, and provide timely notification.  See Attendance Policies.
  • Students are required to be honest in their coursework. Any act of academic dishonesty will be reported to Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution, and may result in failure of the assignment in question and/or the course.  See Honor Code.
  • Students seeking special accommodations need to submit such requests to the Disability Resource Center prior to the deadline of the scheduled requirement, and preferably as early in the Semester as possible.  For further information, see the Disability Resource Center.
  • Students facing difficulties completing the course or who are in need of counseling or urgent help may call the Counseling & Wellness Center (352-392-1575) or the Dean of Students Office (352-392-1261).