Introduction to Latin Literature
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course is foundational and mandatory for the BA 'Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World'. It belongs to the literary-linguistic area. It aims to offer a good knowledge of Latin literature and civilization in some aspect of their historical development, within the framework of ancient Mediterranean cultures. Latin civilization, irradiating from Rome and Italy, did spread all over the ancient world, and, throughout its lengthy history, had to encounter - and to cope with - other peoples and civilizations under many respects (politics, religion, language, literature, etc.): this makes its knowledge relevant, to face the challenges of the contemporary world. The course aims also to improve the students' knowledge of the Latin language, with a focus on specific words and notions that help understand Latin literature and civilization, along with its contemporary legacy.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of the basic tools for the literary analysis of texts (technical terms, methods, digital tools); knowledge of key themes, periods or genres of Latin literature; understanding the major lexical items in the analyzed texts (read in Latin, along with English translations and commentaries).
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: an ability to read and to analyze ancient Latin texts, placing them within their historical context by using an appropriate critical terminology; an ability to collect, select, understand, and use modern scholarship.
Expressing critical opinions: an ability to address texts and themes objectively, with a historically informed approach and an awareness of their multifaceted reception in the contemporary world.
Communication skills: clear exposition (oral and written)
Learning skills: reading, understanding, and interpreting Latin texts, with the aid of English translations, and with an eye to interdisciplinary comparisons; an ability to independently develop and integrate relevant pieces of knowledges and skills.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: an ability to read and to analyze ancient Latin texts, placing them within their historical context by using an appropriate critical terminology; an ability to collect, select, understand, and use modern scholarship.
Expressing critical opinions: an ability to address texts and themes objectively, with a historically informed approach and an awareness of their multifaceted reception in the contemporary world.
Communication skills: clear exposition (oral and written)
Learning skills: reading, understanding, and interpreting Latin texts, with the aid of English translations, and with an eye to interdisciplinary comparisons; an ability to independently develop and integrate relevant pieces of knowledges and skills.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course includes two parts.
Part A (20 hours): in order to strengthen the knowledge of the Latin language, some authentic texts will be read of graffiti, inscriptions, letters, coming especially from Pompeii and from the British fort of Vindolanda. The strengthening of language skills will thus be complemented by knowledge of some aspects of Roman civilization.
Part B (20 hours): an introduction to Latin epic poetry will be presented, as one of the most significant literary genres of Roman antiquity; a special focus will be on Virgil's Aeneid. Some passages will be read, from the anthology by B.W. Boyd (see below).
Students who do not attend classes are required to: 1. study Wheelock's Latin, units 1-33; 2. study the introduction of Lafleur 'Scribblers' (see below) and a list of texts therein (the list has to be agreed upon with the lecturer); study the introduction of Jones' book on Virgil and a selection of texts therein (the list has to be agreed upon with the lecturer).
Part A (20 hours): in order to strengthen the knowledge of the Latin language, some authentic texts will be read of graffiti, inscriptions, letters, coming especially from Pompeii and from the British fort of Vindolanda. The strengthening of language skills will thus be complemented by knowledge of some aspects of Roman civilization.
Part B (20 hours): an introduction to Latin epic poetry will be presented, as one of the most significant literary genres of Roman antiquity; a special focus will be on Virgil's Aeneid. Some passages will be read, from the anthology by B.W. Boyd (see below).
Students who do not attend classes are required to: 1. study Wheelock's Latin, units 1-33; 2. study the introduction of Lafleur 'Scribblers' (see below) and a list of texts therein (the list has to be agreed upon with the lecturer); study the introduction of Jones' book on Virgil and a selection of texts therein (the list has to be agreed upon with the lecturer).
Prerequisites for admission
Students, who enroll in ACCW and have no previous knowledge of Latin from their high school curriculum, should attend during their first year the Lab_Training Latin Language offered by SLAM ( https://www.unimi.it/en/study/language-proficiency/latin-language-courses-beginners/elective-course-taught-english-accw ), as stated in the ACCW website ( "Preparatory aspects of the curriculum" for the first year: https://www.unimi.it/it/corsi/laurea-triennale/ancient-civilizations-contemporary-world ). Those who have not attended such course, should acquire a basic knowledge of the Latin language by studying autonomously units 1-33 of 'Wheelock's Latin' (see below, Materiali di riferimento) prior to the start of the classes of 'Introduction to Latin literature'.
Teaching methods
The course consists of collaborative classes.
In part A, a selection of graffiti and inscriptions will be presented, translated, and commented upon, with a peculiar focus on linguistic aspects.
In part B, specific focuses on individual texts will be proposed to students who, working in small groups, will discuss and analyze the texts, and report their results in class.
In part A, a selection of graffiti and inscriptions will be presented, translated, and commented upon, with a peculiar focus on linguistic aspects.
In part B, specific focuses on individual texts will be proposed to students who, working in small groups, will discuss and analyze the texts, and report their results in class.
Teaching Resources
- Preliminary requirements: F.M. Wheelock-R.A. LaFleur, Wheelock's Latin, New York 2011, seventh edition ( http://www.wheelockslatin.com/index.html ): students will be required to study units 1-33.
- Part A: Texts to be read during classes, of increasing difficulty, will be mainly drawn on: R. Lafleur, Scribblers, Sculptors, and Scribes: A Companion to Wheelock's Latin and Other Introductory Textbooks, New York 2010. All the texts will be made available to students on the course website (MyAriel).
- Part B: B.W. Boyd, Vergil's Aeneid: Selected Readings from Books 1, 2, 4, and 6 Teacher's Guide, Mundelei, Illinois 2012. A selection of texts therein will be read during classes. Texts will be made available to students on the course website (MyAriel).
- This dictionary might also be helpful to students: C.T. Lewis - C. Short, A Latin Dictionary, Oxford 1955 (available to students online through the institutional websites).
- Part A: Texts to be read during classes, of increasing difficulty, will be mainly drawn on: R. Lafleur, Scribblers, Sculptors, and Scribes: A Companion to Wheelock's Latin and Other Introductory Textbooks, New York 2010. All the texts will be made available to students on the course website (MyAriel).
- Part B: B.W. Boyd, Vergil's Aeneid: Selected Readings from Books 1, 2, 4, and 6 Teacher's Guide, Mundelei, Illinois 2012. A selection of texts therein will be read during classes. Texts will be made available to students on the course website (MyAriel).
- This dictionary might also be helpful to students: C.T. Lewis - C. Short, A Latin Dictionary, Oxford 1955 (available to students online through the institutional websites).
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students are required to pass a written exam (pass grade: 18/30), focused on: 1. basics of the Latin language; 2. part A and part B of the course. Students who have attended the 'SLAM Lab_Training Latin Language' and passed its final test MUST SKIP part 1 of the written exam.
Incoming Erasmus students are kindly requested to contact the lecturer. Students with disabilities should contact the lecturer, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent office.
Incoming Erasmus students are kindly requested to contact the lecturer. Students with disabilities should contact the lecturer, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent office.
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Moretti Paola Francesca
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
On Thursdays. Students should email prof. Moretti in advance, to make an appointment.
via Festa del Perdono, at the Sezione di Filologia classica of the Dipartimento di Studi letterari ('cortile legnaia').