Learning objectives
This class is designed to provide students with an advanced knowledge of Latin (translation and comprehension of linguistic phaenomena, textual analysis and critical interpretation). The course will be taught by lectures, seminars and tutorial. Texts will be read in the original language and will be analysed in depth. Students will be given some personal readings of Latin texts and are expected to apply the methodology they have learnt in class.
It is expected that by the end of this course students should be able to:
- translate Latin texts;
- formulate a linguistic, stylistic, and philological analysis;
- develop a personal judgment about their comprehension and evaluation;
- make interdisciplinary comparisons. These latter are necessary for an increasing specialization in Classics.
Prerequisites
Course requirement: 10 credits in the Latin language and literature SDA. Students who have already gained 18 credits in the same SDA must pass a preliminary written entry exam.
Course unit content
Seneca, Epistulae ad Lucilium (a selection).
During the lessons, a selection of Seneca’s Epistulae ad Lucilium will be proposed. The themes of the retreat, friendship, reading and writing above all will be addressed. Special attention will be devoted to the characteristics of the language and style of the philosopher, to the use of citations, images and metaphors from different fields: legal, military, nautical and medical
A section of the course will be dedicated to the syntax and the historical morphology of Latin.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Classroom lectures:
Selected bibliography on the topic discussed will be provided during lessons.
Required Text Books:
A. Traina – G. Bernardi Perini, Propedeutica al latino universitario (chapters VI, VIII, IX), Bologna Pàtron, 1998;
Vergil, Aen. (a book chosen among those not yet examined: 500 vv.); a classic in prose to be agreed with the professor.
Teaching methods
Texts will be read in the original language and will be analysed in depth. Tutorials will be organised, depending on students’ needs. Pupils are taught to analyse texts critically in terms of genre, context, and the writer’s style .
Assessment methods and criteria
There will be an oral final exam on the whole programme.
The final assessment aims to test:
1) proper reading and translation of Latin texts;
2) critical and interpretation skills along with the ability to produce personal reinterpretation and interdisciplinary links;
3) oral proficiency; correct use of language; ability to give proper answers to given questions.
Students will have to fully achieve the first assessment criterion and score a minimum of 60 percent or better to get a pass grade.
Other information
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