Course syllabus

 

 

Latin 202/302: Latin Literary Texts 2B/3B: Epic Poetry

SEMESTER 2, 2018; 15 points

Course Teacher

Alecia Bland: alecia.bland@auckland.ac.nz

Room 824, Humanities Building (Arts 1, level 8)

Office hour: Tuesdays, 3-4pm.

I am also happy to meet students by appointment if needed.

Course delivery format

2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of tutorial

(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

Summary of Course Description

This course treats a selection of Latin texts in epic hexameter, from its beginnings in Ennius through to the epic poetry of the principate, including (but not limited to) Lucretius and Virgil. These texts will be examined with reference to their language and meaning, with special reference to the poetic devices specific to the genre of epic and the development of this genre. These texts will also be examined for a critical appreciation of their literary, historical and/or philosophical qualities. 

Course outcomes

A student who successfully completes this course will have the opportunity to:

• examine in detail the language, style, structures and themes of Latin epic;
• develop a methodology for the critical analysis of classical Latin texts;
• place each poem in its social and cultural context;
• acquire advanced translation skills;
• evaluate the way each text responds to the tradition of the epic genre;
• recognise and analyse the influence of ancient epic motifs on later literature and other media;
• evaluate information and ideas from multiple sources, and develop communication skills through presentation of complex material.

Assessment Summary

Please note that the assessment methods for Latin 202 and 302 are distinct, including essay questions; details for these will be posted on Canvas and provided in class during the first week of semester.

Assignment     10%

Essay               30%

2 Tests             60% (30% each)

Weekly Topics

Week One: Virgil, Aeneid 9

Week Two: Virgil, Aeneid 9

Week Three: Virgil, Aeneid 9; Guest Lecture

Week Four: Virgil, Aeneid 9

Week Five: Virgil, Aeneid 9; Latin 202 Assignment due in class, August 13; Latin 202/302 Presentations, August 13 and 15.

Week Six: Virgil, Aeneid 9; Test 1, August 23

Week Seven: Lucretius, Selections

Week Eight: Lucretius, Selections

Week Nine: Ennius, Selections

Week Ten: Statius, Thebaid

Week Eleven: Statius, Thebaid; Latin 202/302 Essay due in class, October 11

Week Twelve: Statius, Thebaid; Test 2, October 18

Texts

Prescribed Texts

Selections from Ennius, Virgil, Lucretius and other authors will be provided in class. Note that the remainder of the Aeneid is to be read in translation.

Recommended Texts

A list of these will also be provided in class during the first week.

Participation and Preparation

To help you get the most out of this course, you will be assigned lines of poetry to prepare in advance, which will then be discussed in class. You will have an opportunity during the class to ask questions about grammar, poetic devices and language, and important themes. Commentaries and other recommended material will assist you to understand and translate the lines assigned. Each class will work through a portion of the text, covering questions of translation, grammar, meter and other features.

The assignment for stage three students in this course is a 10-minute presentation of a translation and commentary on a portion of text set in advance. These will be assigned and dates set for these in week one. For these seminars, those students not presenting material are expected to prepare the text in advance as for other classes.

Workload and Deadlines for Submission of Coursework

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details.