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Modules

Greek and Roman Narrative (CLA2005)

StaffDr Chiara Meccariello - Convenor
Credit Value30
ECTS Value15
NQF Level5
Pre-requisitesNone
Co-requisitesNone
Duration of Module Term 1: 11 weeks; Term 2: 11 weeks;

Module aims

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

ILO: Module-specific skills

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
522480

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching4422 x 2 hour lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching88 x 1 hour seminars
Guided Independent Study248Private study

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Contribution to seminars and other online activitiesIn-class1-9Oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay402000 words1-8Mark and written feedback
Critical commentary (Term One)301500 words1-8Mark and written feedback
Critical commentary (Term Two)301500 words1-8Mark and written feedback
0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
EssayEssay1-8Referral/Deferral period
Critical commentaryCritical commentary1-8Referral/Deferral period
Critical commentaryCritical commentary1-8Referral/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).

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

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.

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

01/10/2011

Last revision date

04/08/2020

Key words search

Classics, Greek, Roman, Latin, Narrative, Epic