Studying at York
An Introduction to Greek and Roman Literature - ENG00147I
- Department: English and Related Literature
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: I
- Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
- See module specification for other years: 2023-24
Module summary
This module will be a dynamic introduction to the varied, vast, and influential world of ancient Greece and Rome. We’ll consider the foundational authors and figures who have shaped the legacy of classical antiquity – Homer, Virgil, Plato, etc. – but with an eye to how modern discussions of translation and gender inform and change how we read them. Inspired by the bestselling translation of the Odyssey by Emily Wilson – the first translation of the poem by a woman – the module will highlight women translators and will consider the political, social, and linguistic implications of translating ancient texts in contemporary contexts. While our focus will be on ancient literature itself, we’ll consider along the way aspects of the history of its reception in England particularly as it relates to gender and translation. Who are the audiences imagined by these texts and how does the act of translation change or shape them? Why – if at all – might the personal perspective of a translator change our experience of reading an ancient text?
No previous experience with classics or ancient history is required and all work will be done in translation.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2024-25 |
Module aims
The aim of this module is to study (in translation) examples of writing - poetic, historical, fictional, philosophical and dramatic - that emerged from the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. You will also develop critical reading and writing skills, particularly relating to the interpretation and analysis of works in translation.
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you should be able to:
-
Demonstrate an informed understanding of and engagement with the main themes and genres of Greek and Latin Literature, and the interaction of these two literary traditions.
-
Demonstrate an informed understanding of and engagement with relevant cultural and historical contexts.
-
Examine key debates and critical approaches relating to the development of different genres in these two literary traditions and their translation history.
-
Develop arguments and ideas which demonstrate a proficiency in critical thinking, research, and writing skills.
-
Demonstrate an understanding of some of the key issues at stake in the act of translation and in the study of literature in translation.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 70 |
| Open Examination | 30 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Throughout the module, you will have the opportunity to pitch, road-test, and develop essay ideas. Feedback will be integrated into your seminars or the ‘third hour’ (i.e. the lecture or workshop).
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 70 |
| Open Examination | 30 |
Module feedback
-
You will receive feedback on all assessed work within the University deadline, and will often receive it more quickly. The purpose of feedback is to inform your future work; it is designed to help you to improve your work, and the Department also offers you help in learning from your feedback. If you do not understand your feedback or want to talk about your ideas further you can discuss it with your tutor or your supervisor, during their Open Office Hours
-
For more information about the feedback you will receive for your work, see the department's Guide to Assessment
Indicative reading
Margaret Talbot, "The Myth of Whiteness in Classical Sculpture"
Virginia Woolf, “On Not Knowing Greek”
Euripides, Bacchae [trans. Anne Carson]
Aristophanes, Frogs [trans. Stephen Halliwell]
Plato, Symposium [trans. Seth Bernadete]
‘Shoes: An Essay on How Plato's "Symposium" Begins,’ Anne Carson
Poems by Sappho and Catullus [trans. Carson, Green and Jackson]
Virgil, Aeneid [trans. Sarah Rudens]
Ovid, Metamorphoses [trans. Stephanie Carter]
Theocritus 11 and 13 [trans. Stephen Halliwell]
Homer, Odyssey (excerpts) [trans. Emily Wilson]
Lucian, A True History [trans. Lional Casson]
Kae Tempest, ‘Brand New Ancients’