Learning objectives
The course Indo-European Civilization mod. B aims at an introduction to Indo-European languages and culture, after an investigation of inherited linguistic and cultural aspects (society, religion, poetry). This will be pursued through the introduction to a single language, namely Old Persian, with the reading of the Inscription of Behištun by Daius I the Great, preluding at the Greco-Persian wars. At the end of the course students will be able with (1) the identification of the cultural treats that distinguish the Indo-European languages and peoples, (2) the recognition of the most important linguistic aspects of Proto-Indo-European and Iranian, in particular, and (3) the reconstruction of the most common Proto-Indo-European roots.
Prerequisites
No specific requirements.
Course unit content
– Foundations of historical linguistics: language families and genealogical classification.
– Indo-European languages and culture: description, geography, history and sources.
– Old Persian in the Frame of Indo-European: foundations of grammar, linguistics and reconstruction, introduction to the cuneiform script.
– The Great Inscription of Behištun by Darius I the Great: reading, translation and commentary. The prelude of the Greco-Persian wars.
Full programme
- - -
Bibliography
– In-class notes, teaching materials and exercises on Elly.
– MILIZIA, Paolo. 2002. Le lingue indoeuropee. Roma: Carocci. ISBN 978-88-430-2330-1.
– BENVENUTO, Maria Carmela & POMPEO, Flavia. 2022. La lingua degli antichi Persiani. Milano: Hoepli. ISBN 978-88-20-3945-16 (this book will be used for in-class work, students are required to hold it before lectures begin).
Further personal readings:
– LURAGHI, Silvia. 2016 [2021]. Introduzione alla linguistica storica. 2ª ed. Roma: Carocci. ISBN 978-88-290-0531-4.
– WIESEHÖFER, Josef. 2003. La Persia antica. Bologna: Il Mulino. ISBN 978-88-15-09031-7.
– SCHMITT, Rüdiger. 1991. The Bisitun Inscription of Darius the Great. Old Persian Text. London: School of Oriental and African Studies.
Teaching methods
Traditional lecture with in-class and home exercises of analysis and reconstruction. Because the course is both introductory and technical, students are warmly invited to an active participation.
Assessment methods and criteria
Final oral examination based that aims at testing (1) the knowledge of the comparative and historical method within Indo-European studies, (2) linguistic analysis and reconstruction skills, and (3) clear exposition and argumentation with the use of the technical vocabulary. More in detail:
– a fail depends on a lack of knowledge of the basic fundamental contents, a lack of technical vocabulary and failure in resolving the proposed exercises, a lack of autonomous judgement, analysis, argumentation and communication of the contents;
– scores 18–23/30 reveal minimal performance;
– scores 24–25/30 reveal an adequate performance;
– scores 28–30/30 reveal a very good performance and 30/30 cum laude reveals an excellent performance.
Other information
Lectures and in-class exercises consist of an occasion for strengthening and self-evaluation of the program. Students who cannot regularly attend lectures can download all the materials from Elly and can autonomously use the textbooks indicated as "further readings" in the bibliography section. Thus, they can take the exam as described in the specific section of this syllabus.
