OVERVIEW

La più bella e ... la Bestia. La favola di Amore & Psiche in Apuleio.

A spectacular journey into the most famous latin novel. The course presents a reading of Apuleius' Cupid&Psyche, dwelling on the characteristics that became part of very well known folktales and on the numerous legacies recognisable in the most famous European fairy tales (from Perrault's Cinderella to Andersen's Little Mermaid, to J.M. Le Prince de Beaumont's Beauty and the Beast, with its modern heirs from the Twilight saga to every form of "Disneyfication" of the original plot).

The course aims to initiate a university level analysis of ancient Latin literature. It will give the students a solid knowledge of

1. the main methodologies and tools to interpret Latin texts
2. general knowledge of a particular literary genre (epic)
3.  the Latin authors from the III century b.C. to the late antiquity (special focus on the genres)

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to give the students a good knowledge of a) the main methodologies and tools to interpret and translate Latin literary texts; b) the most part of all the great Latin authors from the III century b.C. to V-VI a .d. with particular focus on the different literary genres and themes of Latin culture; c) hints of didactics of the discipline and teaching methods of the linguistic part.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will acquire the methodologies and tools to autonomously interpret and analyse Latin texts from a linguistic, stylistic-rhetorical, thematic and historical-literary point of view. Students must therefore be familiar with some of the main issues of grammar, syntax, Latin prosody.

Students must also develop a good knowledge of the history of Latin literature from its origins to the late imperial age both in relation to the most important authors and the series of cultural and literary trends of the different phases of Latin literary history, with particular attention on the evolution and transformation of literary genres. 

The lessons will endow the students with all the basic instruments for interpreting and analysing ancient Latin texts (in both poetry and prose); some 30 chapters of Apuleius' Metamorphoses will be read, analyzed, under the guidance of the teacher: the purpose is to provide technical and critical tools that allow the students to  analyse and fully understand a classical text in all its complexity. At the end of the course and after the exams, the students are expected to have full knowledge of the Latin language and literary tradition, as well as the capacity to read and translate virtually any latin text.

At the end of the course (particularly after the final exams), the students:

1) will have read a small but significant selection of Latin works; 
2) will know, and be able to discuss, the characteristics and development of each poetic genre, the style, the poetic models and composition technique of all the texts read during the lessons.
3) will understand and be able to autonomously interpret different texts not included in the exam programme.

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PREREQUISITES

1) Good (or at least basic) knowledge of italian language

2) sufficient capacity of analyzing the grammar and syntax of a text in italian or any other modern language

3) sufficient knowledge of italian grammar, syntax, morphology

4) basic (school) skills in latin language 

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures in classroom; each lecture will last 2 hours; towards the end of the course, some lectures may take the form of seminars (depending on the students' ability). Participation to the classes is strongly encouraged, though attendance at the course is not mandatory in order to take the exam. During the lessons, students will be given advices and suggestions to prepare the exam and will take advantage of some hints and test simulation. See also italian section.

NB Lessons will be held in presence. Attendance, although not compulsory, is recommended. Only those who attend lessons in presence will be deemed attending students.  The teacher, upon specific request by single students, could allow them to attend lessons remotely via Teams. Non - attending students will read and discuss an additional essay, selected by the lecturer.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1) Latin Literature: A History. (A comprehensive survey of the thousand-year period from the origins of Latin as a written language to the early Middle Ages).

Texts: 

G.B. Conte - E. Pianezzola, Storia e testi della Letteratura Latina, Le Monnier, Firenze

G.B. Conte, Latin Literature: A History , J. Hopkins University Press, Baltimora

2) Apuleius, Metamorphoses. Cupid and Psyche.

1) A first part of the course focuses on an introduction to the novel and will present the dmain issues it raises 2) The core module focuses on reading and interpreting the novel 3) some lectures during the year will introduce some of the main grammar issues as well as Latin prosody and metrics (with particular reference to hexameter).

Besides the course, the programme also envisages reading some other very famous Latin texts in order to presents to the students at least a minor part of the treasures of the ancient Latin Literature. All of these texts are meant to be read, translated and analyzed.

3) Introductive Study to Latin Literature: grammar, syntax,  metric. (Propedeutica al Latino universitario)

Texts: Traina-G. Bernardi Perini, Propedeutica al latino universitario, 6a ed. a c. di C. Marangoni, rist. a cura di A. Traina e B. Pieri, Bologna, Pàtron (i capitoli su Fonetica, Morfologia, Sintassi, Prosodia e Metrica)

4) Vergil, Aeneid IV or VI (at the student's choice)

5) Aegritudo Perdicae

6) Ovid, Metamorphoses, 6.

For bibliography, please refer to the italian section.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

1) Latin Literature: A History. (A comprehensive survey of the thousand-year period from the origins of Latin as a written language to the early Middle Ages).

Texts: 

G.B. Conte - E. Pianezzola, Storia e testi della Letteratura Latina, Le Monnier, Firenze

G.B. Conte, Latin Literature: A History , J. Hopkins University Press, Baltimora

2) Apuleius, Metamorphoses (an anthology)

for bibliography, see italian section

Please, note: Beside the course, the programme also envisages reading some other very famous Latin texts in order to presents to the students at least a minor part of the treasures of the ancient Latin Literature. All of these texts are meant to be read, translated and analyzed.

3) Introductive Study to Latin Literature: grammar, syntax,  metric. (Propedeutica al Latino universitario)

Texts: Traina-G. Bernardi Perini, Propedeutica al latino universitario, 6a ed. a c. di C. Marangoni, rist. a cura di A. Traina e B. Pieri, Bologna, Pàtron (i capitoli su Fonetica, Morfologia, Sintassi, Prosodia e Metrica)

4) Virgil, Aeneid.

Any edition previously submitted to the teacher's judgement will do. For recommended bibliography, though, see also italian section.

5) - La Malattia di Perdicca, a cura di L. Nicolini, Marsilio 2023.

6) Ovid, Metamorphoses.

Please, refer to the italian section; otherwise any edition previously submitted to the teacher's judgement will do. For recommended bibliography, though, see also italian section.

Students who need 12 CFU are meant to study the whole programme (1-6); those who only need  9 CFU will study the following points of the programme: 1-4; students in need of  6 CFU will complete sections 1-3 . DAMS students will complete sections 1-3 plus 6 in italian. 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LARA NICOLINI (President)

BIAGIO SANTORELLI (President)

PAOLO DAINOTTI

ARIANNA FECIT

LISA LONGONI

ALICE BONANDINI (Substitute)

GABRIELLA MORETTI (Substitute)

GIOVANNI TROVATO (Substitute)

ALICE BONANDINI (President)

ARIANNA FECIT

GABRIELLA MORETTI (President Substitute)

BIAGIO SANTORELLI (President Substitute)

LISA LONGONI (Substitute)

LORENZO VESPOLI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lessons will start on the week of September 18.

The first lesson will be held on Wednesday, Sept 20th at 5:00 p.m. (Room N- BALBI 4)

Second semester classes will start on Wednesday 21 February

THE TIMETABLE WILL BE the same as for the first semester, i.e.:

WED ORE 17:00-19:00 ROOM N, BALBI 4

THU 15:00 -17:00   ROOM  porto vecchio darsena

FRI 9:00-11:00 AULA METELLINO-DARSENA

Class schedule

LATIN LITERATURE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The  oral exam aims to assess students' critical understanding of the course content and their individual reflection on the assigned bibliography. It will take place in scheduled calls at the end of the course. Grading will be based on students' ability to master the course content.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam aims to assess students' critical understanding of the course content and their individual reflection on the assigned bibliography. It will take place in scheduled calls at the end of the course. Grading will be based on students' ability to master the course content, understand literary concepts, undertake critical literary analysis, read a text and analyze it concisely and in the appropriate language.

Students who meet these demands proficiently will have an excellent grade. Students who merely repeat the information mnemonically and in language that is not fully adequate will have a fair grade. Students who show a superficial and deficient knowledge of the topics and who use inappropriate language will have a failing grade.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students are strongly encouraged to attend the course.

Students who have never studied Latin, have done only two years or have any major gaps in their linguistic preparation, are urged to take the Latin language course organised in the context of  the Cultural assets course (also used by Arts students). The Latin Literature exam requires dealing with literary texts which are by nature linguistically and stylistically complex. It is therefore impossible to take this exam without the necessary linguistic fundamentals. If these fundamentals were not acquired during high school, students must be aware of the absolute necessity of acquiring them by constantly and actively attending the Latin language course and undertaking continuous individual study and exercises.