Unit information: Latin Language Level C1 in 2012/13

Unit name	Latin Language Level C1
Unit code	CLAS32407
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Lampe
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	CLAS22308
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Classics & Ancient History
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The so-called Roman “novels” are characterized by vibrant/prurient/decadent (choose an adjective, or add your own!) attention to sexual appetites and ethical turpitude ranging from pusillanimous to magnificent. Yet the novels neither seem to embrace this miasma nor to pass judgment on it, since the protagonists’ narration casts a comical light over their world. Simultaneously distant from and implicated in the values and activities they narrate, these characters invite comparison with rogues such as Don Juan or confused heroes like Don Quixote. In this class we’ll be reading excerpts from Petronius’ Satyrica and Apuleius’ Metamorphoses. In addition to improving our knowledge of Latin literary history and feel for Latin style, we’ll also be using the protagonists to explore the effects of first-personal narration. We’ll think about the games authors play with readers around inserted tales (stories-within-stories). Finally, we’ll be concerned to situate these works in their place and time. More specifically, we’ll ask about the supposed “realism” of these novels (corresponding to which “reality?”) and with their depiction of gender and sexuality.

Aims:

Upon conclusion of this unit students will have developed knowledge of the issues raised in relation to the texts studied and their interpretation. They will have developed an appreciation of the literary style of the texts studied and improved their fluency in reading and translating of Latin.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students should have:

• developed their skills in reading, translating and interpreting a Latin text;

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

• developed and refined their skills in constructing coherent and relevant critical arguments, in relation to the understanding and appreciation of the texts studied;

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

Teaching Information

3 x 1 hour seminars.

Assessment Information

1 essay of 3,000 words and 1 examination of one and a half hours, consisting of a passage of 10-12 lines for unseen translation (30% of exam mark) with passage summary, a passage of 10-12 lines for prepared text translation (30% of exam mark), and a passage of 20 lines with specific questions for comment (40% of exam mark). No choice of questions will be offered and no reference texts or dictionaries will be allowed in this exam.

Reading and References

Smith, M.S., ed. Petronii Arbitri Cena Trimalchionis. Clarendon: Oxford, 1975.

Ruebel, J. S., ed. Apuleius: Metamorphoses, Book I. Wauconda: Bolchazy-Carducci, 2000.

You also must have a copy of the entirety of both Petronius’ Satyricon and Apuleius’ Golden Ass (also called Metamorphoses) in English for use in class discussions. I shall be using the Penguin Apuleius (trans. E. J. Kenney) and the Oxford World’s Classics Petronius (trans. P. G. Walsh).

If you wish to do some introductory reading, the following are excellent:

Conte, G.B. (1996) The Hidden Author: An Interpretation of Petronius’ Satyricon. Berkeley

Shumate, N. (1996) Crisis and Conversion in Apuleius’ Metamorphoses. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan.

Slater, N. (1990) Reading Petronius. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins.

Winkler, J. (1985) Auctor and Actor: a narratological reading of Apuleius’ Gold Ass. Berkeley.