CL2RST-Roman Satire

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

Module Convenor: Dr Andreas Gavrielatos
Email: a.gavrielatos@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

How funny is satire? This module will examine the origins and development of Roman satire, paying special attention to its social and political context. The module explores the idea of humour and invective in the Roman world, considering what caused the authors’ indignation and how they included mockery in their writings. The genre of satire was invented by the Romans and we will examine its origins, including influences from Greek literature. Aspects of the society that are being censured will also be discussed within the social and political context of the time, e.g. the hypocrisy of the higher social classes, accusations of cultural decadence, etc. The focus of the module will be the satires of Horace, Persius, and Juvenal, seeing how satire developed over time.

Aims:

• to trace the beginnings and development of Roman satire as a genre


• to analyse aspects of Roman society and the Roman world through the lens of a satirical text and the authors’ criticism


• to consider selected works by the main authors, placing them in their social and political context


• to consider the tradition of Roman satire in the light of more recent manifestations of satire

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• demonstrate some knowledge of a range of Roman satirical poetry


• demonstrate some understanding of its social and political background


• analyse the influences of other genres on the writing of satire


• discuss the notion of satire as a social event


• compare Roman satire with more recent satire

Additional outcomes:

Students will have the opportunity to be creative and apply their knowledge and understanding of satire into a modern situation. They will communicate their ideas to the group in a form of their choice, e.g. a presentation, a video, the creation of visual forms of satire, etc.

Outline content:

The module will focus on the study of satires of Horace, Persius, and Juvenal, looking however also at minor poets and fragmentary satires. The analyses of these texts will be informed by modern theories of satire and research on ancient satire and invective as well.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught in 10 sessions (2-hours) in the form of lectures and discussion/analysis of the texts.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		18
Project Supervision		1
Demonstration		2
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		45
Wider reading (directed)		40
Advance preparation for classes		20
Carry-out research project		14
Essay preparation		50
Reflection		10
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	90
Project output other than dissertation	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. Students will be required to undertake a piece of research of their own design culminating in an essay of 2,500 – 3,000 words. It must be submitted by 12.00 of the first Monday of the Summer term.


2. Students will also be asked to produce their own form of satire in a form of their choice, working either independently or as a group, with the guidance of the module convenor. The products of this and a reflection upon satire will be presented in the final session of the Spring Term.

Formative assessment methods:

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:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

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: 2 October 2023