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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CL 278"
COURSE NAME: "Literature and Society in Ancient Rome"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session II 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Thomas Govero
EMAIL: [email protected] or [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:
By appointment including weekends
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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:
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.
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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.
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TEXTBOOK:
Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx | | | | | |
The Rise of Rome | Livy | Oxford University Press | 978-0-19-954004-4 | | Ordered through Almost Corner | | | |
The Aeneid | Virgil | Bantam Classic | 0-553-210-41-6 | | Ordered through Almost Corner | | | |
Metamorphosis | Ovid | Norton | 978-0-393-92534-0 | | Ordered through 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 | | 20% |
Resumes | | 20% |
Critical Paper | | 20% |
Final Paper | | 30% |
Oral Presentation | | 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 cou 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:
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.
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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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SCHEDULE
Session Class Contents Reading Assignments Other References
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1.Monday,
6 July
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Review of course syllabus, logistics, procedures, evaluation, approaches, texts and assignments. Historical geographical and linguistic introduction to Rome and Italy. the Latin language. Chronological overview of Roman history up to 27 B.C. and the developments in Roman Literature. Background for reading Livy.
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Livy, History of Rome, Books 1 - 3 Due: Thurs. - Thurs.
Sept. 4 - 11
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2. Tuesday,
7 July
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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.
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3. Wednesday
8 July
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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.
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Terence, "Brothers" |
Resume No. 1
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4. Thursday,
9 July
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Hellenization of Roman, elite society. The Stoic ethos Roman theatre and drama and its Greek antecedants Review and discussion of Terence, "The Brothers"
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Cicero, "On Friendship"
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5. Monday,
13 July
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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, "Pro Archia"
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Cicero, "Pro Archia";
"On Friendship"
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Resume No. 2
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6. Tuesday,
14 July |
Review and discussion of Cicero, "On Friendship" Stoicism/Epicureanism at Rome
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Lucretius, "On the Nature of the Universe" Books I, 5
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Midterm Paper
Assignments
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7. Wednesday,
15 July |
Review and discussion of Lucretius, Book I
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Stambaugh
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8. Thursday
16 July |
Review and discussion of Lucretius, Book 5.
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Vergil, Aeneid, Books 1,2,4,6,8
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Resume No 3
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9. Monday,
20 July
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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)
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10. Tuesday
21 July |
Res Gestae /Deeds of the Divine Augustus, (Continued reading of Horace)
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Resume No. 4
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11. Wednesday
22 July
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,Overview of Vergil's Life and works.
Discussion of Books 1, 2
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12. Thursday
23 July
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Review and discussion ofVergil, Aeneid, Book 4
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Ovid, Metamorphoses, selection to be assigned
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Midterm papers / exam
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13. Monday,
27 July
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Review and discussion of Vergil, Aeneid,
Conclusion and Book 6
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14 Tuesday,
28 July
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Ovid, Metamorphoses (selections)
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Ovid, "Art of Love"
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15. Wednesday,
29 July
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Ovid,. Metamorphoses (selections)
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Resume No. 5
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16. Thursday,
30 July
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(Ovid, Art of Love)
Make-up day
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Petronius, Satyricon "The Cena Trimelchionis"
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17. Monday,
August 3
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Review and discussion of Ovid, Metamorphoses
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18. Tuesday,
August 4
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Continued review and discussion of Ovid, Metamophoses (selections), Art of Love
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19. Wednesday,
August 5
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The evolution of the Roman Empire: political, social, religious and literary aspects. The Age of Nero. The Silver Age
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(Suetonius, Life of Nero)
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Resume No. 6
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20. Thursday,
August 6
Last day of classes
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Review and discussion of Petronius, Satyricon "The Cena Trimelchionis"
Seneca, "Letters from a Stoic"
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21. Friday,
August 7
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Final presentation of papers
Aelius Aristides, "On Rome"
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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.
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