Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CL 278"
COURSE NAME: "Literature and Society in Ancient Rome"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Govero Thomas
EMAIL: [email protected],[email protected]
HOURS: TTH 16:30-17:45
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: By appointment including weekends

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Scope and Aims of the Course

                                                                                             I sing of warfare and a man of war
                                                                                             From the sea-coast of Troy in the early days
                                                                                             He came to Italy by destiny,
                                                                                             To our Lavinian western shore
                                                                                             A fugitive, this captained buffeted
                                                                                             Cruelly on land as on the sea
                                                                                             By blows from powers of the air-behind them
                                                                                             Baleful Juno in her sleepless rage.

                                                                                                                                              Vergil, Aeneid, Book I, 1-8

                                                                                             Is all of history nothing but the praise of Rome?

                                                                                                                                                Plutarch

So begins one of the most famous and influential works of literature in the Western world, Vergil's epic of the ancient Romans,
the Aeneid. Like Aeneas' adventuring from Troy to Rome, we will also journey this semester through the stories, thoughts, and imagination of the Romans and the Roman world.

Latin literature still remains a monumental achievement of the human imagination and spirit. Latin was the language of literature,
science, philosophy, theology and law from the seventh century before Christ until the 18th century. Nearly all theology,
philosophy, much literature, and nearly all science were written in Latin. Along with Greek and Sanskrit, Latin has been one of
the world's most enduring languages.

Our encounter with Latin literature will cover only four centuries of the 2,400 years in which Latin was the language of imaginative and
discursive discourse. However, what we will read in translation has long been considered the crucible and high point of the Latin
literary tradition. While Latin was not ultimately exclusive to the Romans as a language, it has always been identified with Rome due to its origins here.

The course will primarily focus then on certain authors considered the masters of the Latin language in the classical period (approx.
1st cent. B.C - 2nd cent. CE): Livy, Terence, Cicero, Lucretius, Catullus, Vergil, Horace, Ovid, Petronius, Seneca and Juvenal, as
well as brief selections from others. It will examine the Roman ethos, social attitudes, values, and customs as they are portrayed,
reflected, imagined and described in several genres of Latin literature (drama, epic, oratory, satire, history, poetry, and biography).
There will be occasional readings from secondary sources (interpretations) providing historical and social background information or
scholarly discussion of the texts.

The aim of this course is to introduce you to the richness of Latin literature in translation, to stimulate your interest for further
reading, to enhance your recognition of the influences, vocabulary and imitations of Latin literary forms and content in English
literature and, finally, to help you enjoy the writings of a range of Roman authors. A by product is certainly the recognition
of another civilizations cultural norms, diversity, patterns and achievements which still impact on today's cultures.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Summary of Course Content

As previously noted in the above: readings from: Terence (drama), Livy (history), Cicero (oratory), Lucretius (epic, philosophy
poetry), Catullus (lyric poetry), Horace (satire), Vergil (epic, heroic poetry), Ovid (epic, mythological poetry), Petronius (novel)
Seneca (philosophical essay), Juvenal (satire).

To contextualize this literary reading, there will also be selections from modern scholarship including: Braudel, Nussbaum,
Manguel et al. as well as inscriptions and historical materials such as the XXII Tables, the Res Gestae of Augustus and others.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Learning Outcomes

. A knowledge of the range of Latin literature in several genres from the classical period.

. Recognition of the interplay between the materia and intellectuall life of the Romans and foreign influences (Hellenism, Stoicism),
and their own instiutional, social developments.

. A greater appreciation, understanding, and sensibility to Latin literature and other immaginative, literary expressions

. Increase the ability to analyze a literary text

. An interest and motivation to examine additional texts from the Roman tradition.

. An understanding fo the influences and impact of Latin literature on subsequent Western cultures.

. An appreciation of the "myth of Rome" as it has influenced subsequent Western thought.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number
Aeneid	Vergil	Bantam	10-9780553210415
Metamorphoses	Ovid	Indiana University Press	10-9780253200013
Early History of Rome	Livy	Penguin	0-140-44809-8
Letter from a Stoic	Seneca	Penguin	10-9780140442106
Art of Love	Ovid	Random House UK	0099518821

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Midterm Paper		20%
Resumes		20%
Critical Paper		20%
Final Paper		30%
Oral Presentation		10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A: Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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.

B: This 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.

C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D: This 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.

F: This 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:
Absences will seriously affect the final grade - if there are frequent absences, p ease do not be surprised in the end if
grade is different than earned on written work. Why? This is a class demanding regular participation and you cannot
participate if you are not there. I cannot grade you on what you learn in Barcelona or Amsterdam. Try to schedule your
travel on weekends and holidays (November 1 e.g. Absences assume that the other guy is going to attend and have the answers.

Only serious excuses for absences. There will extra written assignments for more than two absences.

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

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SCHEDULE
Session Class Contents Reading Assignments Other References

Monday, Sept. 3	Review of course syllabus, logistics, procedures, evaluation, approaches, texts and assignments. Historical and linguistic introduction to Rome and the Latin language. Chronological overview of Roman history up to 27 B.C. and the developments in Roman Literature. Background for reading Livy.	Livy, History of Rome, Books 1 - 3 Due: Wed. - Wed. Sept. 5 - 12
Wed. Sept. 5	Review and discusssion of Livy, Books I,II: The Foundations of Roman Society. From Regnum to Republic. Myth and history. Institutionalization and legal developments: XII Tables.
Mon. Sept. 10	Review and discussion of Livy, Book III: Stoicism and Stoic heroes. Developments in the Republic: Internal and External changes; conquest and consolidations. The Punic Wars and their aftermath.	Terence, "Brothers"
Wed. Sept. 12	Hellenization of Roman, elite society. The Stoic ethos Roman theatre and drama and its Greek antecedants Review and discussion of Terence, "The Brothers"	Cicero, "On Friendship"
Mon. Sept. 17	Overview and developments in Roman history: 369 - 31 B.C. The collapse of the Republic and the institution of the Principate The career and impact of Cicero. Developments of rhetoric and oratory; its role in society and politics. Review and discussin of Cicero, "On Friendship"	Cicero, "Pro Archia"
Wed. Sept. 19	Review and discussion of Cicero, "Pro Archia" Stoicism/Epicureanism at Rome	Lucretius, "On the Nature of the Universe" Books I, 5	Midterm Paper Assignments
Mon. Sept. 24	Review and discussion of Lucretius, Book I	Stambaugh
Wed. Sept. 26	Review and discussion of Lucretius, Book 5.	Vergil, Aeneid, Books 1,2,4,6,8
Mon. Oct. 1	The Age of Caesar and the Golden Age: The Latin Love Elegy: reading and discussion of Catullus, poem 63,2 etc. Reading and discussion of Horace, Odes (selection) Horace, Centennial Hymn
Wed. Oct. 3	Res Gestae /Deeds of the Divine Augustus, Continued reading of Horace
Mon. Oct. 8,	Satre in the Roman Literary Tradition, Overview of Vergil's Life and works.
Wed. Oct. 10	Review and discussion ofVergil, Aeneid, Books 1, 2	Ovid, Metamorphoses, selection to be assigned	Midterm papers / exam
Mon Oct. 15	Review and discussion of Vergil, Aeneid, Book 4
Wed. Oct. 17	Review and discussion of Vergil, Aeneid, Book 6	Ovid, "Art of Love"
Mon. Oct. 22	Review and discusssion of Vergil, Aeneid, Book 8
Wed. Oct. 24	Review and discussion of Ovid, Metamorphoses (selections)	Petronius, Satyricon "The Cena Trimelchionis"
Mon Oct. 29	Review and discussion of Ovid, Metamorphoses
Wed. October 31	Continued review and discussion of Ovid, Metamophoses (selections), Art of Love
Mon. Nov. 5	The evolution of the Roman Empire: political, social, religious and literary aspects. The Age of Nero. The Silver Age	Suetonius, Life of Nero
Wed. Nov. 7	Review and discussion of Petronius, Satyricon "The Cena Trimelchionis"
Mon Nov. 12	Review and discussion of Seneca, "Letters from a Stoic"	Juvenal, Satires (selection to be assigned)
Wed. Nov. 14	Continued review and discussion of Seneca
Mon. Nov. 18	Discussion of Suetonius In-class selections from Tacitus, Annals
Wed. Nov. 21	Review and discussion of Juvenal, Satires
Mon Nov. 26	Continued review and discussion of Juvenal, Satires, In-class reading of Martial, Epigrams
Wed. Nov. 28	Continued: Martial: Epigrams
Mon Dec. 3	Catch-up day		Ulpian, Universalization of the Roman myth

Wed.
Dec. 5          Last Day of Class.                     Aelius Aristides,
                                                                         "On Rome"
_________________________________________________________________,
  Final Exam: To be scheduled.

Please Note: Texts are absolutely essential to this class. Please do not come without the text.
Much of the discussion will be based on readings and interpretations of the text.

Session	Session Focus	Reading Assignment	Other Assignment	Meeting Place/Exam Dates