LAT4404 ¨C Latin Didactic Poetry

Course content

In this course, we will study Latin didactic poetry as a genre and as a corpus of particular works. In what cultural-historical context does didactic poetry arise? What functions does it have? To answer these two questions we will read (in translation) portions of Latin and possibly Greek prose texts that were turned into poetry (for example, Epicurus and Varro).

We will explore genre conventions based on excerpts or entire works, for example, Lucretius¡¯ De rerum natura and Vergil¡¯s Georgics. In addition, we may discuss genre parody in relation to Ovid¡¯s Ars amatoria.

The theoretical perspectives that provide the background for this course focus on genre and intertextuality. In this context we will study Greek didactic poetry in translation (for example, Hesiod and Aratos) and relevant secondary literature.

Learning outcome

After you have completed the course you will be able to:

• understand the characteristics of didactic poetry.
• comment on how and why prose texts of technical or philosophical nature are transformed into poetry.
• place Latin didactic poets in their literary and cultural-historical context.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

You must be admitted to Classical Studies (master) to sign up for this course. Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Minimum 60 ECTS credits in Latin.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with LAT2420 ¨C Latinsk l?redikt (discontinued).

Teaching

Seminars (10 double hours). The teaching is common with LAT2420 ¨C Latinsk l?redikt (discontinued).

We expect you to prepare for and to partcipate actively in the seminars.

In each seminar we discuss a Latin passage or a scholarly contribution (an article or book chapter) relevant to the text we are studying.

Examination

Term paper of approximately 10 pages (2300 characters each; spaces, title page and bibliography excluded).

When you write a term paper, you are entitled to receive individual supervision. To receive supervision, you must submit a draft that meets certain requirements. Further information regarding supervision and submission of the draft will be given in the seminars.

In order for you to qualify for the final examination, the compulsory tuition activity must be approved by the teacher.

Language of examination

You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English. If you would prefer to have the exam text in English, you may apply to the course administrators.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.