Aims

The aims of this module are:
1.To introduce students to the literary culture of Ancient Rome through study of a selection of case studies representing different genres and epochs, from the beginning of Latin literature in 240BC to late antiquity.
2.To introduce students to key aspects of Roman society as reflected in contemporary literature.
3.To equip students to understand the connections between Roman literature and its social context.
4.To train students in essential skills of the literary analysis of Roman literature and to develop flexibility in the application of these skills to the reading of different types of Roman literature from different eras.

Outline Of Syllabus

A selection of case studies will be used to illustrate the literature of different periods, all chosen with a view to their representation of key moments in the evolution of Latin literature. All texts are studied in translation.
No previous knowledge of the ancient world is required.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures provide both the essential background information to the study of Rome's literary history and present some of its key texts and their interpretation, which will be tested in the exam. The workshops are used to prepare students for assessments. Small group teaching provides interactive demonstrations on the interpretation of texts giving students the opportunity to apply interpretative strategies for themselves.

All of these activities will ensure that students have the knowledge and practical skills needed to meet the learning outcomes of the course.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The essays (both formative and summative) will provide the opportunity for feedback midway through the course, allowing students to approach the essay questions in the exam with a clear sense of the requirements and expectations. The summative essay tests the students' ability to tackle larger literary questions and apply such larger insights to other texts.

Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.

The final exam tests students' knowledge of the key authors, dates, and texts of Rome's literary history, as well as their skills at interpreting short text passages in the light of their background in literary history.