mds3epi epics of rome

EPICS OF ROME

MDS3EPI

2016

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This subject explores Ancient Roman epic poetry, the literary genre which deals with grand mythical narratives involving heroes, gods, war, and love affairs. Epic was the most prestigious literary form in the ancient world. Roman poets adapted and developed Greek epic, particularly influenced by the Homeric Iliad and Odyssey. Roman epics similarly deal with divine and heroic material, but Roman poets also weave contemporary and topical themes into the mythical subject matter. The primary text for this subject is Ovid's Metamorphoses, which tells many comic tales of the gods in love and encounters between heroes and monsters through a series of transformations. Epics which influenced Ovid will also be studied, such as the Greek epics of Homer, the early Roman epics of Naevius and Ennius, and Virgil's Aeneid, which was the most significant influence on Ovid. We shall also consider Ovid as a major influence upon Western artists and writers, from Shakespeare to David Malouf.

SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorRhiannon Evans

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

PrerequisitesN/A

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjects MDS3EPR

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsOvid MetamorphosesPrescribedOvid(TRANSLATED RAEBURN)
ReadingsVirgil AeneidPrescribedVirgil(TRANSLATED WEST)

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Ability to analyse a source in depth and detail

Activities:
Tutorial interaction; assessed source analysis

02. Ability to complare and contrast societies

Activities:
Tutorial interaction; assessed research essay

03. Improved writing skills

Activities:
Assessed source analysis; assessed research essay

04. Increased knowledge of foundation texts of the Western literary tradition

Activities:
Preparatory reading; lecture attendance; research for essay; tutorial interaction; assessed source analysis; assessed research essay

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2016, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorRhiannon Evans

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.

SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.

WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Research essay (2500 words)5002, 03, 04
Source analysis (1200 words)3001, 03, 04
Workshop group responses (300 word equivalence)1001, 02, 04
Weekly quizzes (multiple choice)1002, 04