Course Catalogue

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Beginning with detailed study of the Homeric epics, this course focusses on the enormous impact they had on all subsequent literature in the Greco-Roman literary canon.

20x1hr sessions over 10 weeks as scheduled in MyCampus; This is one of the options in Classics and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on mycampus.

Standard entry to Masters at College level

CLASSIC4024 Homer and his Readers

GREEK4025 Homer and his Readers

LATIN4026 Homer and his Readers

None

Oral Presentation will consist of a presentation of 20-25 minutes, in which the student will talk to the class about their research. This will be filmed for the purposes of 2nd and external marking. The student will remain in charge of the topic for the remainder of the class, and will guide the other students through a discussion activity which they have designed in advance.

Teaching materials and PowerPoint slides: 35%

Essay will be a research topic of the student's own choice (3500 words) - 65%

This course aims to:

■ Familiarize themselves with both Homeric epics

■ Understand Homer's place as the founder of ancient epic, and explore his influence within other genres

■ Gain familiarity with the main currents of Homeric reception in antiquity, as well as the trends in recent scholarship on Homer

■ Gain experience in close reading and analysis of a range of ancient literature, both Greek and Roman

■ Provide opportunities to carry out and present independent research in this field

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Apply an in-depth knowledge of both Homeric poems

■ Understanding of the impact of Homer's poetry on the intellectual and literary culture of both Greece and Rome

■ Show an awareness of the main trends in ancient literary history

■ Apply appropriately the concepts of literary influence, intertextuality, and allusion

■ Formulate a research question in the field, and execute that research with due regard to recent scholarship, and showing close engagement with selected ancient texts

■ Act as the main lead in a single seminar where they will present on a specified topic, providing the other students with preparatory material, and guiding their learning for the duration of the seminar.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.