Show/hide contentOpenClose All
Curricular information is subject to change
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the content of the course texts, and the significant recurring themes of epic literature.
- Read the selected texts closely for evidence of political, social and religious themes.
- Analyse the development of key political, social and religious themes from author to author.
- Evaluate the importance of the values articulated in epic poetry to ancient, medieval and contemporary world views.
The topics we cover in seminars are likely to be the following:
1. Introduction. General discussion: The epic genre. General discussion: The key themes of the Aeneid.
2. Epic proems
3. Lucan (I) Julius Caesar: hero and villain
4. Lucan (II) Cato: Stoic epic
5. Statius (I) Civil war: epic or anti-epic?
6. Statius (II) Gods and mortals
7. Dante (I) Virgil as poet and as character
8. Dante (II) The spiritual journey as epic journey
9. Camoes (I) Nationalist epic and ‘manifest destiny’
10. Camoes (II) Ancient myth and contemporary history
11. Walcott Colonialism and epic
We may adjust this list based on class interests and proposed seminar paper topics.
Student Effort Type | Hours |
---|---|
Seminar (or Webinar) | 22 |
Specified Learning Activities | 66 |
Autonomous Student Learning | 112 |
Total | 200 |
Not applicable to this module.
Description | Timing | Component Scale | % of Final Grade | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assignment: 3000 word commentary | Week 5 | n/a | Graded | No | 25 |
Essay: 5000 word essay | Coursework (End of Trimester) | n/a | Graded | No | 50 |
Presentation: Presentation on a topic related to the student's final paper. Presentations will be delivered at a date to be negotiated between module co-ordinator and student. | Throughout the Trimester | n/a | Graded | No | 25 |
Resit In | Terminal Exam |
---|---|
Summer | No |
• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
Feedback will be offered formally on a mid semester commentary assignment and on the end of semester paper. In addition, both instructor and class will offer verbal feedback on and discussion of seminar papers in class discussions. There will be the opportunity to submit one draft of an end of semester paper for indicative feedback on structure and ideas, but not on specifics.
Name | Role |
---|---|
Professor Michael Lloyd | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |