Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module examines fictional ancient prose narratives, looking at their structures, themes, and styles, as well as the social contexts in which they were produced and consumed.

Aims:

• To offer a broad discussion of the context and significance of various novel-like prose narratives.

• To provide detailed interpretations of selected books of individual novels and related texts, and to compare them with other ancient and modern literary genres.

• To gain an understanding of key trends in past and contemporary scholarship on the subject.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, students are expected to:

• Relate the interpretation of specific texts and passages to broader literary, aesthetic, and social contexts

• Complement the arguments offered in the lectures and seminars with their own research;

• Analyse in detail selected passages in written commentaries;

• Articulate their arguments effectively and illustrate them with relevant evidence;

• Recognise and criticise key arguments made in recent scholarship, by means including an annotated bibliography.

Additional outcomes:

The module develops students’ skills in oral communication and team work, through discussions and presentations in seminars. It also encourages critical thinking in the assessment of ancient and modern texts, and the logical and persuasive construction of arguments. It provides training in key research skills such as using web databases to locate ancient evidence and modern scholarly works. 

Outline content:

Topics covered in this module may include the narrative structures of the ancient novel; its use of characterisation; its relationship with other ancient genres including epic, history, and drama; the depiction of gender, class, ethnicity, and religion in the texts studied. Ancient narratives to be discussed will include at least one of the Greek novels of Chariton, Xenophon of Ephesus, Achilles Tatius, Longus, and Heliodorus; at least one of the Latin novels by Apuleius and Petronius; and a selection of novelistic texts from the Judaeo-Christian tradition, for example Joseph and Aseneth and the Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles.

Students will also have the opportunity for a one to one meeting in spring term to discuss the annotated bibliography

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught by lectures and seminars with at least two contact hours per week. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	8
Seminars	2
Tutorials		2
Guided independent study:	88
Total hours by term	98	2
Total hours for module

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Commentary  20% 1000 words

Essay  70% 2000 words

Annotated bibliography  10% 500 words (due week 2 of summer term)

 

Formative assessment methods:

Students are asked to prepare a short written exercise in preparation for the final essay. 

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework in August. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 8 April 2019