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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CL 278"
COURSE NAME: "Literature and Society in Ancient Rome"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Thomas Govero
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 4:00-5:45 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:

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.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course will review and analyze the following topics:

.  Historical, cultural and social contexts for the various periods of Roman literature:  Regnum, Republic and Empire.

.  Literary, epigraphical and documentary texts.

.  Techniques and approaches for reading, analyzing and understanding literary texts.

.  Major authors to be read:  Livy, Plautus, Terence, Lucretius, Catullus, Cicero, Vergil, Ovid, Seneca, Petronius.

   plus inscriptions and other texts.

.  Contemporary articles of interpretations.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of the course students should:

.  Be knowledgeable about the historical, cultural and social contexts of the Roman literature.

.  Have interpretative skills for analyzing literary texts of both Roman prose and poetry and other texts.

.  Be able to read a literature text in depth (deep reading).

.  Understand the interrelationship of cultural movements, politics, and social elements with literary expression.

.  Be motivated to read and study more texts in the future.

 

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Almost Corner   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Paper 1Short, analytical paper of a particular section of a text.1'0%
Résumés (two per week)Short paragraphs based a prompt: Content and analysis40%
Miterm paper and oral presentationTBD15%
Final analytical paper of a text not read in classTBD15%
ParticipationQuestions, responses, presence, general attentive attitude20%
   

-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 ____________
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.
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.

SCHEDULE

SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates
Weej 1: May 22 - 25Introduction to course: logistics, assignments, assessment. Introductions. Readings and review: Livy, Twelve Tables, Historical & cultural contexts.Livy, Early History of Rome. Books 1 - 3William Conan "Only Connect"Résumé 1
Week 2: May 29 - June 1Roman Comedy: Plautus (con't), Terence, Hellenism. Expansion of RomeTerence "The Brothers" Cicero, "De Amicitia"/On Friendships" Résumés 2, 3
Week 3: Jjune 5 - 8Roman Comedy (con't): Terence, "The Brothers" Roman history: late Republic Briefing for CiceroCicero, "De Amicitia/On Friendship"Sallust "Catalinarian Conspiracy" (selections)Résumés 4 & 5
Week 4: June 12 - 15Collapse of the Roman Republic: Cicero, "On Friendship", "Cicero, "Pro Arachia" Lucretius, Books 1, 5 Résumeé 6 & 7
Week 5: June 19 . 22 (last day of class)Catullus , Lesbian poems, no. 63,(in class reading) Vergil, Books 1, 2, 4, 6 Lucretius Books 1, 5 Vergil, Books 1,2,4, 6 Ovid, "Metamorphoses" (selections)"Laudatio Turiae" "Res Gestae Augusti"Résumé 8; Final exam, Friday, June 22