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Academic Year 2002/2003


The Roman Novel: Petronius and Apuleius
LAT 252 SP

This course includes the reading of extensive selections in Latin, and the whole in English, of two Roman novels, Petronius' SATYRICON, which tells of the comic adventures of a band of picaresque antiheroes, and Apuleius' THE GOLDEN ASS, which tells of the wanderings of Lucius, magically transformed into an ass. For Petronius the Latin selections will come from each section of the work and will include extensive portions of the "Dinner with Trimalchio," the famous story of the wealthy and pretentious ex-slave and his colorful guests. For Apuleius we will read in Latin the central tale of "Cupid and Psyche." Emphasis will be on Latin prose style (Petronius' plain and colloquial Latin and Apuleius' florid, poetic prose), the combination of various tales to make a connected whole, the first- and second-century worlds depicted in the novels (which are quite different from the worlds seen in most high literature), and acts of interpretation within the novels as comments on our own role as readers and interpreters.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Midterm, final, 2 papers (1 short); class discussion and translation count towards grade.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Students should normally have taken at least one Latin course at the 200 level or the equivalent. In doubtful cases, consult instructor.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA CLAS    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-18-2003


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