Advanced Latin Authors B

Teacher(s)

Delanaye Lysiane; Kachuck Aaron;

Language

French

Prerequisites

LGLOR1230

Main themes

Reading and commentary of a selection of representative works of classical Latin literature, according to a given theme.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	translate into literary French representative texts of classical Latin literature;
2	produce an argumentative commentary on one or more works of Latin literature, including literary, historical and stylistic considerations.

Content

LGLOR1732 is divided in 2024-2025 into two parts, the first focusing on poetry (Q1), the second on prose (Q2), both of which are linked to the themes of the cosmos (the world), imperium (power, or empire) and the individual. At the heart of Q1 is the study of Virgil's Aeneid in its entirety (in Latin and in translation), with an in-depth study of selected passages in each book. The core interests of our reading emerge from the first line of the poem: the relationship between humans and objects (arma); what it means to be a human and, in the gender structures of ancient Rome, a man (virum); the power and weakness of language (cano); models of time - its repetition and its direction - in age of Augustus (primo); the nature of cities past, present, and future as ruins and points of refuge (Troiae); and the relationship of humans to nature (ab oris). Our major question will be:  how does Virgil's poem in its totality invent a new possible for Romans of his time? The study of other texts in translation will help to clarify the particular character of this revolutionary, and strange, poem. Q2 turns to Seneca the Younger, and, in particular, to his problematization of divinisation at Rome in his prose works. Both a granular and structural study of these two works will be contextualised by further readings in translation. The course will combine critical reading (including issues of metrics and textual establishment) with literary analysis and attention to religious, cultural and political contexts.

Teaching methods

Seminar including both interpretation and discussion. The translations and interpretations prepared by the student will be corrected and commented during the course. If necessary specific points of grammar will be revised.

Evaluation methods

Q1

Ongoing assessment through in-class translation tests (40% of Q1). These tests may also include grammar questions. The test with the lowest mark will be withdrawn and the final mark for this section will be the average of the remaining marks. NB: Only officially excused absences (e.g. a certificate of illness) entitle the student to a make-up test by appointment with the teacher; the teacher reserves the right to give these make-up tests orally rather than by written test.

In-session written examination (60% of Q1): short responses (identification and commentary on short extracts from the Latin texts of the course), and/or essay/guided-essay, in all cases requiring the integration of literary, historical, and stylistic knowledge acquired throughout the course.

Q2

Assignments: an essay to be e-mailed to the professor before the start of the session (50% of Q2); subjects and instructions will be presented by the course instructor in Q2.
Written exam during the June session: translation of one or more passages from Latin into French taken from the Main Latin Texts of Q2, and this exam may also include grammar questions (50% of Q2).
The final grade will be calculated on the weighted averages of Q1 (60%) and Q2 (40%).


Q1 redux in Q2

If someone wishes to re-take (or present for the first time) elements of the assessment from the January session in June, that person must in addition to the Q2 assessment also re-take or present all elements of the Q1 assessment, but this will be in the form of an oral exam, where, in order to guarantee equal opportunities and given the different time constraints, grammatical and syntactical questions may also be asked on translation and interpretation points. 
The final grade will be calculated on the weighted averages of the Q1 assessment (60%) and the Q2 assessment (40%).

It is imperative that students attempt to pass both the January and June sessions, thus avoiding as far as possible having to sit or retake the exam at the August/September session.

But if ever necessary :


Q1+Q2 redux in the August/September session

For those whose weighted average at the end of Q2 does not represent a passing grade, the assessment will take place during the August/September session, and will take the following form:

Q1: Questions of translation of Latin texts of Q1, identification, grammar, and analysis.
Q2: Questions of translation of Latin texts of Q2, grammar, and analysis.

The final mark will be calculated on the weighted averages of Q1 (60%) and Q2 (40%).
NB: The evaluation of students from different programs may be subject to differences depending on the type of program.

Other information

English-friendly course: course taught in French but offering facilities in English.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) must be used responsibly and in accordance with the practices of academic and scientific integrity. Scientific integrity requires that sources be cited, and the use of AI must always be reported. The use of artificial intelligence for tasks where it is explicitly forbidden will be considered as cheating.

Online resources

Via the Moodle site of the course

Bibliography

Voir le site du cours sous la rubrique "Ressources en ligne"

Teaching materials

• Voir le site du cours sous la rubrique "Ressources en ligne"

Faculty or entity

> EHAC