2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CLAS3310 Urban and Rural: the Idylls of Theocritus

20 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Ken Belcher
Email: K.Belcher@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is mutually exclusive with

CLAS3760

Ancient Pastoral

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module is suitable for Level 3 students with some knowledge of Classical literature. It provides a general introduction to Alexandrian poetry, followed by detailed study of Theocritus' pastoral poems. Particular emphasis will be laid upon the variety of themes to be found in Theocritean poetry, major issues of interpretation, and the importance of Theocritus in the classical literary tradition. The poem is studied in English translation (tr. A. Verity, Theocritus: Idylls, Oxford World's Classics 2003). The module is worth 20 credits and runs in semester 1 only, with two lectures per week and a total of two seminars. For further information, visit us at the Electives Fair or contact the Department of Classics, situated on the first floor of the Parkinson Building, south end (email: classics@leeds.ac.uk; website: www.leeds.ac.uk/classics/; telephone: 0113 343 3537).

Objectives

On completion of this module students will have acquired a detailed knowledge of the Idylls of Theocritus. Particular emphasis will be laid upon the variety of themes to be found in Theocritean poetry, major issues of interpretation, and the importance of Theocritus in the classical literary tradition.

Syllabus

The module will provide a general introduction to Alexandrian poetry, followed by detailed study of Theocritus' pastoral poems. The major themes and characteristics of the pastoral genre as exemplified by Theocritus will be examined, and the importance of Theocritus in the pastoral tradition assessed. There will also be detailed critical analysis of Theocritus' non-pastoral poetry, with special emphasis on mythological themes, urban themes, and the poetry of patronage.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Seminar	2	1.00	2.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,000-2,500 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 13/03/2009

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