Unit information: Latin Language Level D1 in 2015/16

Unit name	Latin Language Level D1
Unit code	CLAS30073
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Liveley
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	CLAS22407 or equivalent
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Classics & Ancient History
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

There are many ways of thinking about metamorphosis, and in this unit we shall seek to investigate a variety of them. Reading the first three books of Ovid’s epic poem together gives us the scope to think about Ovid's narrative techniques and to consider, for example, what constitutes an 'episode' in the poem and how we determine where a particular story or book begins and ends. The poem itself also undergoes a whole host of transformations, slipping in and out of different moods and genres, in the process reworking many of the most famous myths of Greece and Rome. In the course of this unit we shall combine close readings of the Latin text with consideration of large-scale interpretative issues to see whether it is possible to 'pin-down' this most elusive and heterogeneous of epic poems. Aims:

Upon conclusion of this unit students will have developed knowledge of the issues raised in relation to the texts studied and their interpretation, and the relevance of these for wider theoretical issues. They will have developed a detailed appreciation of the literary style of the texts studied and improved their fluency in reading and stylistic translating of Greek/Latin.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students should have:

• developed their skills in reading, translating and interpreting a Greek/Latin text and in evaluating translations of it;

• become familiar with current debates about the texts studied, and their historical and cultural significance;

• developed and refined their skills in constructing coherent, relevant and sophisticated critical arguments, and in relating their readings of the texts to wider theoretical issues;

• developed and enhanced their skills in oral and written communication by contributing to discussion in seminars, presenting short papers, and producing an essay and a written examination.

Teaching Information

Seminars and reading classes.

Assessment Information

• 1 essay of approximately 3000 words in length (50%), and

• 1 90-minute examination containing sight translation, set text translation, and passages of set text for comment (50%).

Reading and References

Texts are specified on an annual basis according to the author being studied. Texts and references are detailed on the course handout.