Greek and Roman Narrative
Module title | Greek and Roman Narrative |
---|---|
Module code | CLA2005 |
Academic year | 2024/5 |
Credits | 30 |
Module staff | Dr Chiara Meccariello (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 50 |
---|
Module description
This module explores Greek and Roman epic poems within their literary, cultural and social contexts: the Homeric epics Iliad and Odyssey, and selections from Apollonius’ Hellenistic work The Argonautica and Roman ‘epic’, including Catullus 64, Virgil’s Aeneid and Ovid's experimental Metamorphoses.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to explore:
- the development of the narrative genre from the earliest heroic epics through to Imperial Rome
- the assumptions the texts make about man and the world
- how changes in society are reflected in literature and in the role of literature in society
- how attitudes and preconceptions influence the author’s treatment of his subject
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of a wide range of the major literary works of the Greeks and Romans, and the way they reflected changes in ancient society and perceptions
- 2. Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of how the genre of epic poetry developed from the Archaic period to the early Principate
- 3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of relevant literary-critical theories, such as intertextuality, hypertextuality and narratology
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Analyse and critically evaluate ancient texts in relation to their socio-cultural context
- 5. Demonstrate advanced academic and library skills specific to Classics and Ancient History
- 6. Identify, evaluate, and engage effectively with relevant theoretical approaches to ancient texts
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Demonstrate independent study skills in research and the presentation of findings
- 8. Select, organise, and synthesise relevant material and present this in a strong and coherent argument
- 9. Work and discuss issues in a peer group in a constructive and responsive way
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Term 1: Greek Epic: Homer Iliad; Homer, Odyssey.
- Term 2: Hellenistic into Roman Epic: selections from Apollonius’ Argonautica, Catullus 64, Virgil’s Aeneid, Ovid's Metamorphoses.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
52 | 248 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 44 | 22 x 2 hour lectures |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 8 | 8 x 1 hour seminars |
Guided Independent Study | 248 | Private study |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Contribution to seminars and other online activities | In-class | 1-9 | Oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay | 40 | 2000 words | 1-8 | Mark and written feedback |
Critical commentary (Term One) | 30 | 1500 words | 1-8 | Mark and written feedback |
Critical commentary (Term Two) | 30 | 1500 words | 1-8 | Mark and written feedback |
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Essay | Essay | 1-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
Critical commentary | Critical commentary | 1-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
Critical commentary | Critical commentary | 1-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Greek Epic:
- Canevaro, L. G., Women of Substance in Homeric Epic: Objects, Gender, Agency (Oxford, 2018).
- Fowler, R., The Cambridge Companion to Homer (Cambridge, 2005).
- Goldhill, S., The Poet’s Voice: Essays on Poetics and Greek literature (Cambridge, 1991).
- Graziosi, B. and Haubold, J., Homer: The Resonance of Epic (London, 2005)
- Katz, M., Penelope's Renown: Meaning and Indeterminacy in the Odyssey (Princeton, 1991).
- Powell, B. and Morris, I. (edd.), A New Companion to Homer (Mnemosyne, Bibliotheca Classica Batava, Supplementum 163 1997).
- Schein, S., (ed.) Reading the Odyssey (Princeton: PUP, 1995).
- Segal, C., Singers, Heroes and Gods in the Odyssey (Ithaca, 1995).
Roman Epic:
- Barchiesi, A., Speaking Volumes: Narrative and Intertext in Ovid and Other Latin Poets (London, 2001).
- Boyle, A. J. (ed.), Roman Epic (London and New York, 1993).
- Bramble, J.C. ‘Structure and ambiguity in Catullus 64’, Proceedings Cambridge Philological Society 16 (1970) 22-41.
- Conte, G.B. The Rhetoric of Imitation. Genre and Poetic Memory in Virgil and other Latin Poets (Ithaca, N.Y. 1986).
- Hardie, P.R. (ed.), Cambridge Companion to Ovid (Cambridge, 2002).
- Hinds, S. Allusion and Intertext. Dynamics of Appropriation in Roman Poetry (Cambridge 1998).
- Powell, A. (ed.), Roman Poetry and Propaganda in the Age of Augustus (London: Bristol Classical Press, 1992).
- Solodow, J.B., The World of Ovid’s Metamorphoses (Chapel Hill, 1988).
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
The module description, lecture materials, additional reading materials, useful web links and a discussion forum will be available via the Exeter Learning Environment.
Credit value | 30 |
---|---|
Module ECTS | 15 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 5 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 01/10/2011 |
Last revision date | 04/08/2020 |