Roman Self-Fashioning: Poets and Philosophers, Lovers and Friends
CCIV 271
Spring 2012
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01
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With the descent into chaos of the Roman Republic and the emergence of the emperor as autocratic ruler at the head of the state, Roman social order and its system of personal relationships experienced a crisis. These circumstances are reflected in the literature of the period, which shows a fascination with unconventional styles of life and codes of behavior and a constant recourse to those situations in public and private life where the individual's relationship to the social order was negotiated and exhibited. Among the topics we will examine in the writings of some of the major authors of the period will be the literature of love and the role of the lover; parasites, patronage, and friendship; banquets and dining; the good life and personal contentment (and discontent); and the struggle for individual integrity. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Ethical Reasoning, Interpretation
Ethical Reasoning: The course deals with the pressure put on Roman traditional moral values during a time of social and political change. Among the readings are works on ethics by Cicero, Horace, and Seneca. In class we will discuss the shaping of personal identity and the exploration of various moral stances in the texts we study.
Interpretation: Students will read closely texts in a variety of genres that offer challenges of interpretation to the modern reader.
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA CLAS |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Cicero, ON FRIENDSHIP
Catullus, personal and love POEMS
Horace, SATIRES, EPISTLES, book 1; selected ODES and EPODES
Tibullus and Propertius, selected love POEMS
Ovid, ART OF LOVE, books 1 and 2; selected AMORES
Juvenal, selected SATIRES
Seneca, selected philosophical DIALOGUES and LETTERS
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Examinations and Assignments:
Regular reading assignments; four short papers and a longer final paper; in-class reports. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Regular class attendance is expected. |
| Instructor(s): Roberts,Michael J. Times: ..T.R.. 10:30AM-11:50AM; Location: DWNY100; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 18 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 10 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 3 | FR: 3 |
| Web Resources: Syllabus |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 4 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 4 |
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