
Ancient Literary Genres
Code: 104198Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Studies | FB | 1 |
| English and Classics Studies | OB | 2 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Marta Oller Guzman
- Email :
- marta.oller@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Gerard Gonzalez Germain
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
No previous knowledge required. However, it is a subject particularly aimed at people interested in the "literary fact", who enjoy reading and commenting on literature.
Objectives
- This subject belongs to the field "Literature", which wants to draw attention to the importance of the literary text as an essential source of information to learn about the history and civilization of Greece and Rome.
- The aim of this subject is offering a general scope of Greek and Latin literature, based on the classification by genres of their works and authors.
- There will be a general and basic presentation of the topical and formal characteristics of the main literary genres in Antiquity, as well as offering, as far as possible, a diachronic vision of their evolution.
Learning outcomes
- Autonomously searching, selecting and processing information both from structured sources (databases, bibliographies, specialized magazines) and from across the network.
- Preparing an oral and written discourse in the corresponding language in a proper and organized way.
- Effectively communicating and applying the argumentative and textual processes to formal and scientific texts.
- Present the formal and thematic characteristics of the works of literary creation of classical antiquity.
- Recognise the definition and the characteristics of the various literary genres on the basis of the metaliterary texts and identify their exemplification in particular works.
- Apply the basic theoretical concepts to the comprehension of narrative, poetic and dramatic texts.
- Apply the different instruments of literary analysis to different types of works.
- Analyse texts belonging to different genres, taking account of historical, social and cultural context.
- identify the influence of the classical literary genres in texts of the post-classical European literary tradition.
- Discern the singularities of Greek literary production in comparison with its Latin counterpart, and vice versa.
- Identify and explain the fundamental principles of the process of literary communication in each one of the genres.
- Express oneself effectively by applying argumentative and textual procedures in formal and scientific texts.
- Autonomously searching, selecting and processing information both from structured sources (databases, bibliographies, specialized magazines) and from across the network.
- Recognise the definition and characteristics of the various literary genres based on metaliterary texts and identify their realisation in specific works.
Contents
Program
UNIT 1. Introduction to the literary genres of the Graeco-Roman Classical world: - Concept of literature in Classical Antiquity: conceptual, chronological and geographical limits. - The role of literature in the framework of Greek and Roman societies. - The literary genres in Classical Antiquity. - Classification criteria.
Poetic genres
UNIT 2. Epic. Didactic poetry and epyllion
UNIT 3. Lyric and elegiac poetry
UNIT 4. Bucolic poetry
UNIT 5. Epigram
UNIT 6. Satyre
Dramatic genres
UNIT 7. Tragedy and satyr play
UNIT 8. Comedy
Prose genres
UNIT 9. Historiography
UNIT 10. Oratory and rhetoric
UNIT 11: Fable and tale
UNIT 12. Novel
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Follow-up of the topics exposition and in-class texts' commentary | 35 | 1.4 | 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 14 |
| Reading and commenting on texts | 30 | 1.2 | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14 |
| Complementary texts reading (primary and secondary sources) and units study | 45 | 1.8 | 1, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14 |
| Commentary of two literary texts | 31 | 1.24 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 |
| Participation in in-class activities | 5 | 0.2 | 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 14 |
Classroom activities will be divided into two categories:
1. Reading and interpreting literary themes and topics. This activity will be carried out with the support of an anthology of Greek and Latin texts that will serve as a starting point for the explanation and the commentary of the formal and thematic characteristics of each of the literary genres included in the course program. The anthology will be uploaded in Campus Virtual.
2. Participation in the classroom activities.
The accomplishment of the competences of the subject will be achieved largely with the autonomous work of each student, that will be oriented to:
1. The preparation of two text commentaries, which will be defended orally.
2. Complementary texts reading, both of classic authors as well as modern bibliography on the themes and works studied.
Given that numerous scientific studies show that reading on paper improves the understanding and memorization of the contents, while facilitating critical reflection, it is strongly recommended that all the materials available on the Virtual Campus are printed and that the activities and exercises are always work on paper. If, despite this recommendation, students prefer to use digital devices (tablets or computers), it must be clear that they cannot be used for anything other than learning activities. The use of mobile phones in class is not allowed.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance and active participation in the classroom | 10% | 0 | 0 | 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14 |
| Reading test | 10% | 1 | 0.04 | 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 |
| 1st exam | 35% | 1.5 | 0.06 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 |
| Two text commentaries | 10% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13 |
| 2nd exam | 35% | 1.5 | 0.06 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 |
This subject does not allow a single assessment.
Continuous evaluation
Continuous evalutaion is a process that must allow students to know their academic progress throughout the course. The evaluation activities that will be taken into account are :
- Two theoretical and practical tests, each of which will have a weight of 35% on the final mark
- Two text commentaries on two passages included in the dossier which will be presented orally, with a weight of 10% on the final mark.
- A test on a compulsory reading of a classic work, which will be worth 10% of the final mark.
- Attendance and participation in the activities proposed in class, which will be worth 10% of the final grade.
Erasmus and exchange students who request to advance an exam must present a document from their home university justifying their request.
Plagiarism
In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.
Not assessable
Students will receive the grade of "Not assessable" as long as they has not delivered more than 30% of the assessment.
Procedure for the review of qualifications
On carrying out each evaluation activity, lecturers will inform students (on Moodle) of the procedures to be followed for reviewing all grades awarded, and the date on which such a review will take place.
Reassessment process
- In order to be entitled to participate in the reassessment activities, the student must have been previously evaluated in a set of activities whose weight equals to a minimum of 2/3 of the total score.
- To be able to participate in the reassessment process the student must have obtained a minimum mark of 3.5 on the average grade of the subject.
- In case of not having passed the set (and if the average grade reaches a minimum of 3.5 points), it will be possible to retake one of the theoretical-practical tests (35%), a text commentary to be written on the reassessment day (5%), and the reading test (10%).
AI
This subject allows the use of AI technologies exclusively for support tasks such as bibliographic searches, text correction or translations. The student must clearly (i) identify which parts have been generated using AI technology; (ii) specify the tools used; and (iii) include if necessary a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in the assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade may be lowered, or the work may even be awarded a zero. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.
Bibliography
Ancient Greek Literature main Handbooks
EASTERLING. Patricia E.; KNOX, Bernard M. W. (eds.) (1990). Historia de la literatura clásica (Cambridge University) I: Literatura Griega. Madrid: Gredos.
LÓPEZ FÉREZ, José Antonio (ed.) (1988). Historia de la literatura griega. Madrid: Cátedra.
SIGNES CODOÑER, Juan (2019). Breve guía de la literatura griega desde Hesíodo hasta Pletón. Madrid: Cátedra.
Studies on ancient Greek literary genres
BUDELMANN, Felix (ed.) (2009). The Cambridge Companion to Greek Lyric. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press.
FOLEY, John M. (ed.) (2005). A Companion to Ancient Epic. Oxford: Blackwell.
LÓPEZ EIRE, Antonio (1994). Los orígenes de la oratoria y la historiografía en la Grecia clásica. Zaragoza: Universidad de Zaragoza.
MCDONALD, Marianne; WALTON, Michael (eds.) (2007). The Cambridge Companion to Greek and Roman Theatre. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press.
WHITMARSH, Tim (2007). The Cambridge companion to the Greek and Roman novel. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press.
Ancient Latin Literature main Handbooks
CODOÑER, Carmen (ed.) (1997). Historia de la literatura latina, Madrid: Cátedra.
CONTE, Gian Biagio (2019, 3a ed.). Letteratura latina, 2 vols, Firenze: Le Monnier università. (Available in English a previous edition of 1987: Latin Literature: A History, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999).
HARRISON, Stephen (ed.) (2005). A Companion to LatinLiterature, Malden, MA: Blackwell. (available online)
VON ALBRECHT, Michael (1997). Historia de la literatura romana, 2 vols. Herder: Barcelona.
Software
No specific software required.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |