2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
CLAS1620 Latin Literature: Republic and Empire
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 2020/21
Module replaces
CLAS1411 CatullusCLAS1412 Ovid's MetamorphosesThis module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module provides an introduction for students to Latin poetry of the late republic and early empire through a detailed study of the poetry of Catullus whose poetry treats themes such as love and friendship and whose work influenced Roman writers of love elegy.Even more important for its influence on later European literature and art is Ovid's Metamorphoses.The texts will be read in English translation.The prescribed translations are: - Catullus, The Poems of Catullus, translated by A.G. Lee (Oxford 1991) - Ovid, The Metamorphoses, translated by A.D. Melville (Oxford 1998).Objectives
On completion of this module, students should have acquired an understanding and appreciation of Latin lyric poetry and epic through detailed study of Catullus' short and long poems and Ovid's Metamorphoses. 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 the Metamorphoses, its narrative structure, style and its intertextual relations;
- the place of both authors 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 poetry through detailed study of Catullus' poetry and Ovid's Metamorphoses, and in particular:
- the themes and style of Catullus' poetry; where appropriate, narrative style and intertextual relationships
- the major themes of the Metamorphoses, its narrative style and structure, and its intertextual relations;
- 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 Latin poetry of the late republic and early empire, 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 texts in discursive form.
Syllabus
The module will provide an introduction Latin poetry through the detailed study of Catullus' poems and Ovid's Metamorphoses.
The module will cover the following topics:
- all of Catullus' poems; the principal themes of these poems; 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 texts will be read in English translation.
The prescribed translations are:
- Catullus, The Poems of Catullus, translated by A.G. Lee (Oxford 1991)
- Ovid, The Metamorphoses, translated by A.D. Melville (Oxford 1998).
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Lecture | 21 | 1.00 | 21.00 |
Seminar | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
Private study hours | 174.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 26.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 |
Private study
Reading primary texts: 2 x 15 = 30 hoursLecture preparation: 20 x 1.5 = 30 hours
Seminar preparation: 5 x 4 = 20 hours
Essay 1: 48 hours
Essay 2: 47 hours
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Seminar participation; written courseworkMethods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Essay | 1,500 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 websiteLast updated: 06/01/2021
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