Classical Language and Texts: Latin V: Epic
| Module title | Classical Language and Texts: Latin V: Epic |
|---|---|
| Module code | CLA3251 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Giacomo Fedeli (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
|---|
Module description
Lucan's epic poem The Civil War, written during the rule of Nero and describing the civil wars of the previous century, is a powerful condemnation of civil war and the ensuing disintegration of society. This module takes Lucan's nihilistic and hyper-violent poem as the starting point for an in-depth examination of the developing genre of Roman epic in the original language. Reading Lucan's poem thematically alongside the works of his epic predecessors (e.g. Ennius’ Annales, Virgil's Aeneid and Ovid's Metamorphoses) and Neronian contemporaries (e.g. Persius’ Satires, Seneca’s Thyestes and Petronius’ Satyricon) will enable us to explore the way texts draw on and rework literary traditions in order to reflect or resist dominant ideologies.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to produce advanced understanding of the language, style and significance of Roman epic by close study of selected Latin texts.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge of all set texts in Latin
- 2. Translate and provide independent, sophisticated literary commentary on Latin texts
- 3. Demonstrate knowledge of whole poems (in translation) from which set texts are taken
- 4. Develop a broad understanding of the nature of the epic genre and its development
- 5. Develop a sensitivity to Latin language
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Engage in literary criticism and analysis
- 7. Gain confidence in the reading of literature
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Develop independent research skills, skills in construction and organisation of arguments, confidence and clarity in oral and written communication
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Term 1: Lucan and the epic tradition
- Term 2: Lucan in the Neronian context
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 256 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 44 | 1 x 2 hour seminar per week |
| Guided independent study | 256 | Independent study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language work | Weekly | 1-8 | Written/Oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language and texts exercises (to include translation and commentary) | 50 | 5 x 1000 words or equivalent (10% each) | 1-8 | Mark, written comments, and oral feedback session |
| Essay | 50 | 3000 words | 1-8 | Mark, written comments, and oral feedback session |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language and texts exercises | Language and texts exercises | 1-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Essay | Essay | 1-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Set text:
- Lucan, A Lucan Reader: Selections from Civil War. Ed. Susanna Braund. Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, 2009.
Additional set texts to be provided.
Further reading:
- Albrecht, M. von. (1999) Roman Epic: An Interpretative Introduction. Leiden: Brill.
- Asso, P. ed. (2011) Brill’s Companion to Lucan. Leiden: Brill.
- Bates, C. ed. (2010) The Cambridge Companion to the Epic. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Buckley, E. and M. Dinter, eds. (2013) A Companion to the Neronian Age. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
- Boyle, A. J. ed. (1993) Roman Epic. London and New York: Routledge.
- Tesoriero, C. ed. (2010) Lucan. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Toohey, P. (1993) Reading Epic: Introduction to the Ancient Narratives. London and New York: Routledge.
- Zientek, L and M. Thorne, eds. (2020) Lucan's Imperial World: The Bellum Civile in its Contemporary Contexts. London: Bloomsbury Academic.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | CLA2254 Classical Language and Texts: Latin IV (or equivalent). |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 2011 |
| Last revision date | 18/08/2020 |
