Latin Literature Ma
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to perfect the technique of reading and commenting on Latin texts, by means of a reflection on the methods and tools, especially digital, available for the purpose. The final objective is to recognise the different types of texts and to grasp the fundamental meaning and the main points of articulation of a series of them (Level C of the Latin Language Certificate).
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge
At the end of the course, students will be able to read and understand any Latin text of a literary nature, highlighting its critical and content issues.
Skills
Through the digital message board and the classroom debates, students are asked to demonstrate the necessary technical skills for the critical elaboration of a short comment (written or oral) to a proposed text, with the attention to the elements today indispensable for any type of profession having to do with a literary environment.
At the end of the course, students will be able to read and understand any Latin text of a literary nature, highlighting its critical and content issues.
Skills
Through the digital message board and the classroom debates, students are asked to demonstrate the necessary technical skills for the critical elaboration of a short comment (written or oral) to a proposed text, with the attention to the elements today indispensable for any type of profession having to do with a literary environment.
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
"Res omnium, res unius".
Some thoughts on the meaning of "res publica" in Latin literature, between historical and philosophical debates, regime propaganda and a court of dwarfs and dancers
We will study the Latin idea of "res publica" and its undermining, analyzing representative authors from different eras and literary genres (Part A = 40 hours, 6 CFU).
The texts analyzed in Part B (20 hours = 9 CFU), connected to the idea of "principatus", will serve to learn what to look at and how to approach any Latin text, with a view to its comprehension, translation, and commentary, and an eye also to the written test.
Part C (reserved for Modern Literature students, but open to Classic students as an institutional part of the course, see below = 20 hours, 12 CFU) will deal with Latin outside the classical era, reading texts by Erasmus and others, connected to the ideas of "res publica" and "principatus."
Some thoughts on the meaning of "res publica" in Latin literature, between historical and philosophical debates, regime propaganda and a court of dwarfs and dancers
We will study the Latin idea of "res publica" and its undermining, analyzing representative authors from different eras and literary genres (Part A = 40 hours, 6 CFU).
The texts analyzed in Part B (20 hours = 9 CFU), connected to the idea of "principatus", will serve to learn what to look at and how to approach any Latin text, with a view to its comprehension, translation, and commentary, and an eye also to the written test.
Part C (reserved for Modern Literature students, but open to Classic students as an institutional part of the course, see below = 20 hours, 12 CFU) will deal with Latin outside the classical era, reading texts by Erasmus and others, connected to the ideas of "res publica" and "principatus."
Prerequisites for admission
A good knowledge of Latin is required (6 or more ECTS). To take the oral test, it is necessary to pass a preliminary written test, which is valid and compulsory for all Latin exams, master's degree.
Teaching methods
Lectures; online interactive exercises; home working; classroom exercises. Attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Texts and the secondary bibliography will be made available on the MyAriel website.
Home readings:
Students of Modern Literature
a) 6 CFU: chosen by the student, a text between Tacitus, Dialogus de oratoribus, and Horace, Carmina, Liber IV;
b) 9 CFU: a text chosen by the student between Tacitus, Dialogus de oratoribus, and Horace, Carmina, Liber IV + Cicero, Pro Marcellus;
c) 12 CFU: Dialogus de oratoribus; Orazio, Carmina, Liber IV; Cicero, Pro Marcellus (all three texts).
Students of Philology, Literature and History of Antiquity
a) 6 CFU: chosen by the student, a text between Tacitus, Dialogus de oratoribus, and Horace, Carmina, Liber IV;
b) 9 CFU: chosen by the student, a text between Tacitus, Dialogus de oratoribus, and Horace, Carmina, Liber IV + again chosen by the student, a text between the Anthology read in part C of the course and Cicero, Pro Marcellus;
C) 12 CFU: chosen by the student, a text between Tacitus, Dialogus de oratoribus, and Horace, Carmina, Liber IV + again chosen by the student, a text between the Anthology read in part C of the course and Cicero, Pro Marcellus + a text chosen in agreement with the teacher.
Home readings:
Students of Modern Literature
a) 6 CFU: chosen by the student, a text between Tacitus, Dialogus de oratoribus, and Horace, Carmina, Liber IV;
b) 9 CFU: a text chosen by the student between Tacitus, Dialogus de oratoribus, and Horace, Carmina, Liber IV + Cicero, Pro Marcellus;
c) 12 CFU: Dialogus de oratoribus; Orazio, Carmina, Liber IV; Cicero, Pro Marcellus (all three texts).
Students of Philology, Literature and History of Antiquity
a) 6 CFU: chosen by the student, a text between Tacitus, Dialogus de oratoribus, and Horace, Carmina, Liber IV;
b) 9 CFU: chosen by the student, a text between Tacitus, Dialogus de oratoribus, and Horace, Carmina, Liber IV + again chosen by the student, a text between the Anthology read in part C of the course and Cicero, Pro Marcellus;
C) 12 CFU: chosen by the student, a text between Tacitus, Dialogus de oratoribus, and Horace, Carmina, Liber IV + again chosen by the student, a text between the Anthology read in part C of the course and Cicero, Pro Marcellus + a text chosen in agreement with the teacher.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam involves passing a written test of translation, comprehension and commentary on a Latin text. The test is usually conducted on a computer and applies to all Latin master's exams. Correctness in interpreting the text and the ability to grasp its pivot points will be assessed through answers to open and closed questions. Some tests assigned in recent years are available on the course's "MyAriel" website.
The oral part of the exam will test:
- the ability to understand and present a series of texts studied at home by students (see below);
- the ability to critically discuss texts and problems debated in class;
- the ability to comprehend and discuss a series of short texts (this part may be replaced by active participation in forum activities and in-class exercises, Part B).
The exam may be taken in Italian, English or Latin. Grades are recorded from 0 to 30.
Ample emphasis will be given to the ability to present the texts read; correctness in analyzing and critically discussing the contents of the texts read; appropriateness of critical vocabulary; ability to raise and solve critical problems.
Non-attending students should refer to the materials (bibliography, forum, recordings) made available on the MyAriel website.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher.
Procedures for students with disabilities and/or SLDs must be agreed with the teacher, in accordance with the Faculty.
The oral part of the exam will test:
- the ability to understand and present a series of texts studied at home by students (see below);
- the ability to critically discuss texts and problems debated in class;
- the ability to comprehend and discuss a series of short texts (this part may be replaced by active participation in forum activities and in-class exercises, Part B).
The exam may be taken in Italian, English or Latin. Grades are recorded from 0 to 30.
Ample emphasis will be given to the ability to present the texts read; correctness in analyzing and critically discussing the contents of the texts read; appropriateness of critical vocabulary; ability to raise and solve critical problems.
Non-attending students should refer to the materials (bibliography, forum, recordings) made available on the MyAriel website.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher.
Procedures for students with disabilities and/or SLDs must be agreed with the teacher, in accordance with the Faculty.
Unita' didattica A
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
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Professor(s)