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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CL 278"
COURSE NAME: "Literature and Society in Ancient Rome"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session II 2017
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Thomas Govero
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MTWTH 4:00 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above *This class can substitute for one of the two EN LIT general distribution required courses. The other EN LIT course must have the EN prefix*
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course focuses on the literature of Ancient Rome and its role in shaping modern notions about the customs, social practices, and ideas of its citizens. Emphasis will be placed on using Roman literature as a means of studying Roman civilization, while simultaneously examining stylistics and literary techniques particular to the genres of comedy, rhetoric, epic and lyric poetry, satire and history. Texts, which vary, are chosen from Terence, Plautus, Cicero, Catullus, Virgil, Horace, Ovid, Tacitus, and Juvenal. All texts are studied in translation.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Reading, analysis and interpretations of Roman poetical and prose works from the Twelve Tables
through the early empire including Plautus, Terrence, Lucretius, Cicero, Catullus, Vergil,
Ovid, Seneca and Juvenal (5 centuries of literary works). There will also be some attention
to inscriptions and other literary expressions.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
. Students should develop the capacity for close reading.
. Development of a critical vocabulary and knowledge of historical and social contexts.
. Skill in writing critical responses to the works read.
. Ability to correlate the contemporary Roman literary expression with other
literary traditions.
. Knowledge of the chronicle of Roman history, events, personalities and political
developments as related to the literary tradition.
. Some awareness of the reception of Roman literature in later literary productions.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| XXXXX | TBA | XXXXX | XXXX | | Almost Corner | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Midterm paper (5 pages) | The paper will be a critical analysis of a topic in Roman literature. | 25% |
| Final exam-paper and presentition | A critical analysis of a topic in Roman literature with an oral presentation
of the contents and related elements. | 25% |
| Résumés | Frequent (2 per week) short, paragraph-long résumés written on a prompt.
These will be based on lectures and texts which have been read in preparation for the class | 25% |
| Presentations | Individual, 10 minute presentations on topics related to Roman literature:
historical evens, political developments, social issues etc. | 15% |
| Participation | Paticipating in class session with questions, comments etc.
Presence in the class and attention to the class dynamic, i.e not meditating
on internet, iphone sites. | 10% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until __Friday 4 August__________
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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| Session | Session Focus | Reading Assignment | Other Assignment | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
| Monday July 3 | Review of course syllabus, logistics, procedures and assessment guidelines. Approaches, texts
Historical and linguistics introduction to ancient Rome and Italy. The Latin language. Chronological review of Roman history
up to 27 BCE. Background for reading Livy. | Livy, Early History of Rome, Books 1 - 3 | William Curran, "Only Connect" | |
| Wednesday July 5 | Review and Discussion of Livy Books 1 & 2.
Roman history from Regnum to Republic.
Myth and History. | Livy Booki 3 | | Résumé 1 |
| Thurday, July 6, Friday, July 7 (Make-up day) | Review and discussion of Livy, Book 3 | Mary Beard article | | Résumé 2 |
| Monday, July 10 | Livy (con't) Discussion
Twelve Tables of Roman Law.
Development of Roman Law
Briefing for reading Plautus | Plautus, "The Haunted House" | | Résumé 3 |
| Tues. July 11 |
Hellenism and Soicism Background and elements of Roman drama.
Review and discussion of Plautus, "Haunted House" | | | |
| Wednesday, July 12 | Plautus, "Hauted House" | Terrence, "The Brothers" | Discussion of midterm paper due Thurs. July 20 | Résumé 4 |
| Thursday, July 13 | Review and discussion of Terence, " The Brothers"
Briefing for reading Cicero
The collapse of the Roman Republic | Cicero, "De Amicitia/On Friendship" | | Résumé 5 |
| Monday, July 17 | Review and Discussion of Cicero, "On Friendship"
Collapse of the Roman Republic | In-class reading of Sallust selection | | Résumé 6 |
| Tuesday, July 18 | Continued discussion of Cicero, "On Friendship" | Cicero, "Pro Archia" | | |
| Wednesday, July 19 | Review and discussion of Cicero, "Pro Archia" | Lucretius "On the Nature of the Universe" Books 1 and 5 | | Résumé 7 |
| Thursday, July 20 | Review and discussion of Lucretius, Book 1 | Lucretius, Book 5 | Papers due | Résumé 8 |
| Monday, July 24 | Review and discussion of Lucretius, Book 5
Discussion of final papers. Due August 3. | None | | |
| Tuesday, July 25 | Catullus poems/elegies and number 63. | In-class reading of Catullus
Vergil, "Aeneid", Books 1, 2, 4, 6 | | |
| Wednesday, July 28 | Review and discussion of Vergil, Book 1
The Augustan Age | Vergil, Book 2 | | Résumé 9 |
| Thurday, July 26 | Vergil, Books 4 & 6 | Ovid, "Metamorphoses". Selections to be assigned for oral reports
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| Monday, Juily 30 | "Laudatio Turiae"
"Res Gestae Augusti" | Ovid reports on Tuesday | | |
| Tues. July 31 | Ovid, "Metamorphoses" reports | Seneca, "Letters to Lucillius" (Selection) | | |
| Tuesday, August 1 | Seneca, "Letters to Lucilius"
The Neronian Age | Petronius, "Satyrica" | | |
| Wednesday, August 3 (Last class) | Petronius, "Satyrica" | | | |
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