CLASSICS 130
Love and Death in Greek and Roman Literature
Please note: this is archived course information from 2020 for CLASSICS 130.
Description
We will study a selection of literary texts from ancient Greece and Rome (all in English translation). These texts all deal with two things that shaped life in antiquity: love and death. As we will see, in some ways the Greeks and Romans had very different views of love and death from ours, but in other texts we find the Greeks and Romans thinking in remarkably similar ways to us.
We will read and discuss literature by some of the best known writers of antiquity, including some or all of the following: Aristophanes, Plato, Euripides, Plautus, Lucretius, Cicero, Virgil, and Ovid. You will read and explore a variety of literary genres, including some or all of comedy, tragedy, philosophical dialogue, epic and love poetry. The course will prepare you to take higher level courses in Classical Studies and Ancient History.
Course outcomes
As a student taking this course you will have the opportunity to:
- Read key works of literature from ancient Greece and Rome
- Develop your understanding of Classical antiquity, especially with regard to representations of love and death
- Compare Greek and Roman representations of love and death
- Develop a sound understanding of various literary genres
- Engage in rigorous intellectual discussion and debate
- Hone your research skills
- Practice academic writing, including making a persuasive argument
Assessment
Coursework + exam
Availability 2020
Semester 2
Lecturer(s)
Coordinator(s) Associate Professor Marcus Wilson
Reading/Texts
Plautus: The Pot of Gold and other plays (Penguin Classic).
Assessment
Coursework + exam
Points
CLASSICS 130: 15 points
