2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CLAS1625 Roman Poets

20 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Dr Paul White
Email: p.m.white@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Module replaces

CLAS1620 Latin Literature: Republic and Empire

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module provides an introduction for students to two Roman poets, Catullus and Ovid, through detailed study of the lyric poetry of Catullus, whose treatment of themes such as love and friendship was a major influence on later love poets, and of Ovid’s epic poem, Metamorphoses, which in its presentation of famous classical myths remains a significant influence in European literature and art.The poems will be read in English translation.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should have acquired an understanding and appreciation of two Roman Poets: Catullus and Ovid. Through these poets students will be introduced to Latin lyric poetry and epic in detailed study of Catullus' short and long poems and Ovid's Metamorphoses, in English translation.
In particular, they should be able to provide an informed analysis of:
- the themes and style of Catullus' poetry and its intertextual relations;
- the major themes of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, its narrative structure, style and its intertextual relations;
- the place of both poets and their works in an historical and literary context;
- the relevance of the contemporary social and political context to the interpretation of the texts;

The knowledge and critical skills acquired in this module will provide a basis for further study of classical Latin poetry, and relevant background to the study of later European literature.

Learning outcomes
Students completing this module are expected to have acquired an understanding of Latin epic and lyric poetry through detailed study of two Roman poets, Catullus and Ovid.

Through introductory study of Catullus' poetry and Ovid's Metamorphoses, students will have gained insights into:
- individual themes and styles of Catullus' poetry (ILO 1);
- individual themes of Ovid’s Metamorphoses (ILO 2);
- shared Roman themes of the poetry of Catullus and Ovid’s Metamorphosis, lyric and epic styles in these poems, and their intertextual relations (ILO 3);
- the implications of the cultural ideas which underlie the texts (ILO 4);
- the relevance of the contemporary social and political context to the interpretation of the poets and poems (ILO 5)
- and will have improved their communication and writing skills (ILO 6).

The knowledge and critical skills acquired in this module will provide a basis for further study of Latin literature, and relevant background to the study of later European literature.

Skills outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to provide informed textual commentary on passages from the prescribed texts, and discuss key aspects of the literary and cultural aspects of the two poems in discursive form.

Syllabus

The module will provide an introduction to two Roman poets, Catullus and Ovid and to the genres of Roman lyric and epic poetry through the detailed study of Catullus' poems and Ovid's Metamorphoses, in English translation.

The module will cover the following topics:
- all of Catullus' poems; the principal themes of these poems and where relevant, the narrative structure of the poems; placing Catullus' poetry in its literary context.
- all of Ovid's Metamorphoses; the mythological traditions drawn upon by Ovid; the plot of the poem; questions of genre, including Ovid's reworking of the epic form; placing the poem in its literary context.
- the relevance of the contemporary Roman social and political contexts to the interpretation of these poems.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Seminar	7	1.00	7.00
Private study hours			173.00
Total Contact hours			27.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Reading primary texts: 2 x 15 = 30 hours
Lecture preparation: 20 x 1.5 = 30 hours
Seminar preparation: 7 x 4 = 28 hours
Preparing two assessments: 85 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Seminar participation, including formative presentations to develop oral communication skills; feedback on written coursework 1 ahead of coursework 2.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	Essay maximum 1500 words	50.00
Essay	Commentary 1,500 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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: 28/04/2023 14:37:48

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