72
Latin Language and Literature
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course, students:
- will know the historical development of Latin literature, the features of the main literary genres and the works of the main authors from the beginnings to the 2nd century CE;
- will know some significant aspects of Roman culture and civilisation, which are also crucial to the full understanding of Italian artistic and literary culture;
- will know recurring themes and topics related to the motif of travelling in Latin literature.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The course aims at providing students with the knowledge and the methodological tools necessary for:
- recognising the literary genre of a text based on its language, style, and content;
- appreciating the influence of texts and motifs from Latin literature over Italian literature and art;
- reading and understanding Latin literary texts in depth, setting them into their historical and cultural context;
- analysing the linguistic and stylistic strategies of Latin literary texts and the poetics of individual authors;
- operating comparisons and links between different authors and literary works, recognising the presence and development of wide-ranging themes.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS
Students will be able to:
- understand the contents of a Latin text (with the support of a dictionary if needed);
- find and develop information in an autonomous way, using basic tools such as reference works. bibliographic databases, journals, relevant websites;
- critically analyse the contents of literary texts and position themselves within recent critical debates concerning the topics treated in the course;
- develop consistent and effective arguments.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
At the end of the course, students must be able to:
- express their own ideas and analyse the texts read in class clearly, synthetically and a correct use of language;
- use the technical language concerning Latin literature with ease;
- build effective teaching programmes concerning Latin texts and the narrative forms of Latin literature.
LEARNING SKILLS
Students will have acquired the critical skills necessary to:
- continue deepening their knowledge of Latin language and literature and Roman culture;
- actively take part in classes, taking notes and interacting with the teacher;
- use the main traditional and digital tools (e.g. lexica, vocabularies, databases) in learning Latin language.
Course Prerequisites
Knowledge of the Latin language, at least at a basic level, is required.
Teaching Methods
- Lectures
- Tranining classes
Assessment Methods
The evaluation will consist of an oral exam and will take place in either Italian or English.
The evaluation will be carried out on a 30-point basis. In particular, the following aspects will be evaluated:
- Students’ knowledge of the topics of the course and the contents of the manuals;
- their ability to translate from Latin into Italian;
- their ability to apply acquired knowledge to the discussion of theoretical and methodological issues;
- communication skills.
The following evaluation criteria will be followed:
< 18: the student’s preparation is very lacunose and insufficient.
18-21: the student shows basic knowledge and skills, but with significant gaps.
22-24: students’ knowledge and skills are generally good, if with some gaps and uncertainties.
25-26: students display good knowledge and skills, with limited gaps.
27-28: students show very good knowledge and skills, if with small uncertainties.
29-30: students are extremely well prepared and can discuss theoretical and methodological issues with competence.
30 e lode: students’ knowledge and skills are excellent; they master the subject and display very good communication and argumentation skills.
Texts
REQUIRED READING
- Gian Biagio Conte, Profilo storico della letteratura latina. Dalle origini alla tarda età imperiale, Seconda Edizione. Firenze: Le Monnier Università 2019, pp. 1-307 (from the origins to Apuleius).
- Students will receive a handout containing the texts read in class. In particular, knowledge of Horace, Satire 1, 5 in Latin will be required. Knowledge at least in Italian translation of the other texts contained in the handout is also required.
READING RECOMMENDATIONS
1) For the study of the Latin language:
Marco Fucecchi – Luca Graverini, La lingua latina. Fondamenti di morfologia e sintassi. Seconda edizione. Firenze: Le Monnier Università 2016.
This manual will be used in the classes which will focus on consolidating students’ knowledge of Latin language.
2) Students may avail themselves of the following bibliography as a support in reading Horace's Satire 1.5:
Critical edition:
F. Klingner, Q. Horati Flacci opera. Lipsia: Teubner 1959.
Commentaries:
P. Fedeli, Orazio, Le opere, II: Le Satire, le epistole, l’arte poetica. Roma. Istituto Poligrafico Zecca dello Stato 1994.
E. Gowers, Horace, Satires, Book I. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 2012 (text and commentary; the text follows Klingner with few changes).
Edition with an Italian translation:
M. Labate (ed.), Orazio, Satire. Milano: BUR 1981 (the text follows Klingner with few changes).
This syllabus is valid for all students, independently from whether they do or do not attend classes. However, student who are unable to regularly attend classes are encouraged to contact the teacher if they need additional material to support their learning.
Contents
- Latin language: morphology and syntax (one class a week will be devoted to consolidating students' linguistic skills).
- An introduction to Latin literature: a geo.chronological framework and some notions about the transmission of Latin texts.
- An introduction to the main authors and literary genres of Latin literature.
- Travels and travellers in Latin literature.
Course Language
Italian
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