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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CL 278"
COURSE NAME: "Literature and Society in Ancient Rome"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Thomas Govero
EMAIL: [email protected] or [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30 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
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:


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.

No knowledge of Latin is needed for this course.

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This course fulfills the requirement for one course in English literature,   Therefore, grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation, organization,

and clarity will be important criteria in evaluating résumés and papers.

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Class Comportment:  Please avoid coming late and leaving and returning to the classroom during the course which is disruptive.

Bathroom stops should be made before or after the lesson.

 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:








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







  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 TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
TBATBATBATBA Almost Corner   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
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 c
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.
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
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                                                                                                      SCHEDULE















      Session                      Class  Contents       Reading Assignments                           Other References
                          















                               ,

1. Monday, August 29

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.

Livy, History of Rome, Books 1 - 3 Due: Thurs. - Thurs.















Sept. 4 - 11

2. Wednesday, August 31















                       

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.

3. Monday,  September 5















                    

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"

Resume No. 1

4. Wednesday, September 7

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"

5. Monday  September 12

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"

Cicero, "Pro Archia";















"On Friendship"

Resume No. 2

6. Wednesday, September 14















                   

Review and discussion of Cicero, "On Friendship" Stoicism/Epicureanism at Rome

Lucretius, "On the Nature of the Universe" Books I, 5

Midterm Paper















Assignments
7. Monday, September 19 















                     

Review and discussion of Lucretius, Book I

Stambaugh

8. Wednesday, September 21















                      

Review and discussion of Lucretius, Book 5.

Vergil, Aeneid, Books 1,2,4,6,8

Resume No 3
9.  Monday, September 26















                 















               

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)

10. Wednesday; September 28















                                               

Res Gestae /Deeds of the Divine Augustus, (Continued reading of Horace)

Resume No. 4

11.  Monday, October 3















                                               

,Overview of Vergil's Life and works.















Discussion of Books 1, 2

12. Tuesday, October 5















                       

Review and discussion ofVergil, Aeneid, Book 4

Ovid, Metamorphoses, selection to be assigned

Midterm papers / exam

13. Monday, October 10















                                               

Review and discussion of Vergil, Aeneid,















Conclusion and Book 6

14 Wednesday, October 12















                       

Ovid, Metamorphoses (selections)

Ovid, "Art of Love"

15.Monday, October 17















 

Ovid,. Metamorphoses (selections)

Resume No. 5
16. Wednesday, October 19















 

(Ovid, Art of Love)















Make-up day

Petronius, Satyricon "The Cena Trimelchionis"

17. Monday, October 24















 

Review and discussion of Ovid, Metamorphoses

18. Wednesday, October 26















                       

Continued review and discussion of Ovid, Metamophoses (selections), Art of Love

19. Monday,  October 31















 

The evolution of the Roman Empire: political, social, religious and literary aspects. The Age of Nero. The Silver Age

(Suetonius, Life of Nero)

Resume No. 6
20. Wednesday, November 2















                       















Review and discussion of Petronius, Satyricon "The Cena Trimelchionis"

21. Monday, November 7 















                       















Review and discussion of Seneca, "Letters from a Stoic"

Juvenal, Satires (selection to be assigned)

22. Wednesday, November 9















                      

Continued review and discussion of Seneca

Resume No. 7
23. Monday,  November 14















                      

Discussion of Suetonius In-class selections from Tacitus, Annals

24. Wednesday, November 16















                       















                       

Review and discussion of Juvenal, Satires

25.Monday, November 21















                      

Continued review and discussion of Juvenal, Satires, In-class reading of Martial, Epigrams

Resume No. 8
26. Wednesday, November 23 















                     































































                      

Continued: Martial: Epigrams

27. Monday, November 28 















                       















                  

Catch-up day

Ulpian, Universalization















of the Roman myth

















 28. Wednesday, November 30      Aelius Aristides, "On Rome" (Final Class)

 































 29.  Thurs. Dec. 4.     General Review















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  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.