CL5021 Latin Literary Culture

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Module description

This module is aimed at students studying for the MLitt in Classics specialsing in Latin literature and culture but not taking language modules as part of the MLitt. It shares seminars with CL5121. Through a series of focussed case-studies this module will introduce students to key debates and concepts central to modern research on Latin literary culture and enable them to devise their own short and independent research project under the guidance of an individual supervisor. The precise range of topics covered changes each year, but typical topics might include the relationship between politics and literature from republic to late antiquity; the impact of literary and cultural theory on the study of ancient texts; the role of literature in forming cultural identities; the development and interrelation of key genres and modes of literary interaction, including poetry, historiography, fiction and oratory; the reception of Latin texts from late antiquity to the modern day.

Intended learning outcomes

• Identify and describe key concepts and methodologies central to modern research on Latin literature and literary culture.
• Analyse a range of different genres and types of Latin texts in relation to their social, cultural, intellectual and political contexts and in relation to their interactions with each other
• Independently analyse and critically evaluate published research on Latin literary culture
• Independently devise coherent and critically aware arguments both orally and in writing on key aspects of Latin literary culture via a thorough analysis of the set primary texts and the evaluation of relevant published scholarship
• Demonstrate aptitude in the key skills for independent translation and study of literary texts in the original Latin
• Design and successfully complete a short research project under the guidance of an individual supervisor