Love and Sex in Roman Society - CLAS6670

Overview

This module reviews texts relating to sexual behaviour attitudes and relationships throughout Latin Literature, raising questions about both the perception of sexuality in antiquity and how perception was translated into social and political relationships. Because of the nature of its coverage, it can be counted as either a literature or a social history course, and is intended as a wide-ranging complement to both. The module relies on primary texts from a variety of literary genres, from Epic and poetry to private letters, legal texts and inscriptions.

Details

Contact hours

Total Contact Hours: 40
Total Private Study Hours: 260
Total Study Hours: 300

Method of assessment

Main assessment methods:

• Essay 1 (2,000 words) – 40%
• Essay 2 (3,000 words) – 60%

Reassessment method:

• 100% Coursework (3,000 words)

Indicative reading

Indicative Reading List

Ancona, R. & E. Greene (eds), (2005). Gendered Dynamics in Latin Love Poetry. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press.
Bartsch, S. (2006). The Mirror of the Self: Sexuality, Self-knowledge, and the Gaze in the Early Roman Empire. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Hersch, K. (2010). The Roman Wedding: Ritual and Meaning in Antiquity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Kraemer, R. (2011). Unreliable Witnesses: Religion, Gender, and History in the Greco-Roman Mediterranean. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)

Learning outcomes

The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:

1 Outline and understand the key principles of selected authors, artists and topics pertaining to Latin literature and Roman history and culture and how these principles developed in antiquity;
2 Apply the methods of textual, visual and material analysis, and the conceptual frameworks that result to the culture and literature of Roman antiquity;
3 Critically evaluate and understand current methods of interpretation within classical studies and in related fields;
4 Manage their learning through the use of primary sources and current research in classical & archaeological studies.

The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:

1 Analyse critically primary and secondary sources;
2 Propose solutions to problems that arise in analysis;
3 Communicate effectively in writing.