CL2AE-Ancient Epic

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Christa Gray
Email: c.m.gray@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Doukissa Kamini
Email: doukissa.kamini@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module offers an introduction to Greek and Latin epic, centring around close study of the Iliad, Odyssey, and Aeneid, but including discussion of other early Greek hexameter poems such as Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and the Epic Cycle. It may also cover Hellenistic epic, for example Apollonius Rhodius, or other Roman epics like Ovid’s Metamorphoses.

Aims:

• To offer the students a broad discussion of epic, setting the poems in their literary and socio-political contexts as well as enabling in-depth analysis of individual passages.


• To familiarise students with modern critical approaches to the analysis and interpretation of ancient epic (e.g. oral-formulaic theory, Analysis and Neo-Analysis, narratology and intertextual readings).


• To introduce students to scholarly debates over the contexts of ancient epic’s composition and reception.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• relate the interpretation of ancient epic to the contexts of its composition and transmission, the history of the genre, and the wider literary tradition;


• identify, distinguish between, and evaluate the merits of, different scholarly and methodological approaches to ancient epic, including recent scholarship;


• demonstrate critical awareness of different literary-critical approaches and apply them to the texts under study;


• analyse in detail selected passages in written commentaries;


• conduct independent research and construct the answer to an essay question, articulating their arguments effectively and illustrating them with relevant evidence.

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. Students will also develop skills related to examinations.

Outline content:

Works to be studied may include the works of Homer and Virgil. Other possible topics are: the Near Eastern epic of Gilgamesh, the Epic Cycle and Homeric Hymns; the poetry of Hesiod, later Greek and Roman epic (e.g. the Argonautica of Apollonius Rhodius; Latin epyllion). The lectures will discuss some fundamental issues that affect the interpretation of ancient hexameter poetry, such as authorship, the nature and context of performance, intertextuality and cultural borrowing. Topics discussed may include heroic values and society, the divine, the relationship between epic and the expression of political and/or ethnic identity, gender, grief and immortality, competition and the reception of early Greek epic in later periods.

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	20
Seminars	6
Guided independent study:	174
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students are required to produce TWO pieces of assessed coursework for this module:

1. One comparative commentary on two passages from different ancient sources studied for the module, of 2000-2500 words.   This is due by 12 noon on the last day of the term in which the module is taught and accounts for 50% of the module mark.


2. One essay of 2000 words. This is due by 12 noon on Monday of Week 1 of Spring term and accounts for 50% of the module mark.

Formative assessment methods:

Group discussions in seminars, and individual discussion of coursework, will provide formative assessment.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Coursework will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed grade of 40% or more. Otherwise it must be resubmitted in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  Students are required to purchase their own copies of the set translations of core texts.  The editions to be used will be confirmed in preliminary module material sent out before the term in which the module is taught.

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  

4) Printing and binding:  

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  

Last updated: 20 September 2023