T/Th 10-11:20
Fall 2010
Classroom: MERR 401
Instructor: Professor Christopher van den Berg
Office: Grosvenor 11 cvandenberg@amherst.edu
Office Hours: Tue. 11:30-12:30; Wed. 12:30-1:30
I encourage you to speak to me either in class or office hours regarding both the content and the mechanics of the course. I will not, however, fill you in on what you missed because you failed to attend class. Attendance is required and you need not draw attention to any unexcused absences.
Also, I particularly recommend coming to see me Tuesday afternoons if you’d like to discuss matters not strictly related to the course (Classics in general, poetry and literature, etc.).
Course Description:
The course provides an introductory survey of Roman literature. The works to be studied include some of the earliest extant ones of the republican period down to those of the early empire. Our authors span a period of about 300 years. We will read from a variety of genres: comedy, epic and lyric poetry, rhetoric, dialogue, satire, historiography, and philosophy. Roman writers inherited all these genres--with the exception of satire, which apparently is a Roman innovation--from the Greeks and adapted them in light of their own audiences and artistic purposes. The study of this varied body of literature will also introduce the culture of the ancient
Romans and is crucial to an appreciation of later European literatures and cultures. In addition this course will consider various reading strategies: how to analyze texts structurally, thematically, historically, and with an awareness of ancient and modern theories about textual reception (reading) and production (writing).
The reading for this course entails about 150 pages per week. Some of the reading is quite demanding in terms of content and language. You are expected to do ALL the reading and you may be quizzed on it. Please note that because of the considerable emphasis placed upon textual analysis and discussion, if you fail to complete the assigned readings, you will not be satisfied with your grade in this course.
Required texts:
[NB: Oxford Out of Print till late Sep.]
The Poems of Catullus (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback) by Catullus (Author), Guy Lee (Translator)
# Paperback : 224 pages
# Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA (October 22, 1998)
# Language : English
# ISBN 10 : 0199537577
# ISBN 13 : 978-0199537570
[Use following edition:]
The Poems of Catullus: A Bilingual Edition (Joan Palevsky Book in Classical Literature) [Paperback]
Gaius Valerius Catullus (Author), Peter Green (Translator)
# Paperback: 359 pages
# Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (August 1, 2007)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0520253868
# ISBN-13: 978-0520253865
Livy: The Early History of Rome, Books I-V (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

by Titus Livy (Author), Stephen Oakley (Preface), Aubrey De Selincourt (Translator)

Paperback: 528 pages

Publisher: Penguin Classics; Revised edition (June 25, 2002)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0140448098

ISBN-13: 978-0140448092
The Aeneid (Penguin Classics) (Paperback) by Virgil (Author), David West (Introduction, Translator)

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Penguin Classics (April 29, 2003)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0140449329

ISBN-13: 978-0140449327
[NB: I will make the Eunuch available in digital format]
The Comedies (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback) by Terence (Author), Peter Brown (Author)

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (April 9, 2008)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 019282399X

ISBN-13: 978-0192823991
The Satires of Horace and Persius (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]
Horace (Author), Persius (Author), Niall Rudd (Translator, Introduction)

Paperback: 272 pages

Publisher: Penguin Classics; Rep Tra edition (December 27, 2005)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0140455086

ISBN-13: 978-0140455083
Tacitus: The Annals (tr. & intro. by Woodman) (Paperback)

Paperback: 464 pages

Publisher: Hackett Publishing Company (September 2004)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0872205584

ISBN-13: 978-0872205581
[NB: Oxford Out of Print till late Sep.]
The Satires (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback) by Juvenal (Author), William Barr (Introduction), Niall Rudd (Translator)

Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 1, 2008)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0199540667

ISBN-13: 978-0199540662
[Following also acceptable]
Sixteen Satires (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]
Juvenal (Author); Peter Green (Translator, Introduction)


Paperback: 320 pages

Publisher: Penguin Classics; 3rd edition (February 1, 1999)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0140447040

ISBN-13: 978-0140447040
Letters from a Stoic (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback) by Seneca (Author), Robin Campbell (Introduction, Translator)

Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: Penguin Classics (July 30, 1969)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0140442103

ISBN-13: 978-0140442106
General Reading and Reference:
S. M. Braund, Latin Literature (London and New York 2002)
G. B. Conte, Latin Literature: A History (Baltimore and London 1994)
E. Fantham, Roman Literary Culture from Cicero to Apuleius (Baltimore and London 1996)
S. Hornblower and A. Spawforth, eds., Oxford Classical Dictionary , 3 rd ed. (Oxford 1996)
E. J. Kenney and W. V. Clausen, eds., The Cambridge History of Classical Literature, Vol. II: Latin Literature
(Cambridge 1982)
T. J. Luce, ed., Ancient Writers: Greece and Rome (New York 1982)
Course Requirements:

Constant attendance, preparation of assignments, and participation in classroom discussion are absolutely essential.

There will be three “midterm” examinations, one of which is a non-cumulative final exam.

Two papers (about 1000 words each) are required.

Quizzes may be given regularly, and there will be other types of (in-class) writing assignments.

There will likely be occasional, unannounced in-class writing quizzes (250 to 500 words) during the term.
Points to Consider:

There will be ABSOLUTELY NO make-up quizzes or examinations for unexcused reasons.

Papers must be submitted at the beginning of class on the due date (those submitted after the due date will be penalized by a full grade per day late, e.g. an 'A' paper submitted one day late automatically becomes a 'B' paper).

All students are expected to abide by the Code of Academic Integrity in completing all course requirements.
Assessment: Quizzes and Exams
30%: two papers (15% each)
45% : three exams (two midterms, one final, each 15%)
25%: attendance and participation

Abide by the Honor Code of the college . For this class the following aspects are important: 1) you should not discuss the contents of the quizzes or exams with anyone who has not taken them; 2) in writing your papers you must provide documentation for ideas that are not your own (citation of material). Responsible collaboration on daily assignments is not contrary to the Honor Code; effective team-work is recommended.
Consult the following document and, if you still have questions, please talk to me: https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/deanstudents/code/code
Accommodations for Students:
If you have a disability which may necessitate special accommodations of any kind, please let me know outside of class during the first week of term. I may request formal notice from a class dean or other authority.
If you anticipate religious observances that will interfere with your class participation, I would appreciate your letting me know well in advance so that we can discuss appropriate accommodations.
Tue. Sep. 7: Introduction to the Course: the Roman World/The Greek World.
Viewing: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-july-28-2010/robert-o-connell
Thu. Sep. 9:
Reading : Catullus 63 (also available on-line).
Theoretical and Interpretive Issues: Gender and Sexuality, Foucault and the ‘genealogy of the desiring subject’
Tue. Sep. 14:
Reading: Terence: Eunuch ( Eunuchus )
Theoretical and Interpretive Issues: Performative Context; Social Readings of Literature (Slavery, Women,
Rape, Family Structure, Paternity, Acculturation)
Thu. Sep. 16:
Reading Part I : Catullus: Introduction pp. 1-13 (by P. Greene)
Poems 1-7, 15, 16, 28, 29, 46 (cf. 63), 49, 51, 57, 63, 72, 75, 76, 79, 85, 101, with notes
Theoretical and Interpretive Issues: The Biographical Fallacy, Personal Voice and Persona Theory
In-Class Additional Viewing/Reading: John Stewart, “Toppington von Monocle!”
Tue. Sep. 21:
Theoretical and Interpretive Issues: Persona Theory
Reading : Horace Satires Book I
Thu. Sep. 23:
Reading : Horace Satires Book II

Tue. Sep. 28:
Theoretical and Interpretive Issues: The Topos of Decline; Rhetoric and Poetry
Reading : Juvenal 1-6
In-Class Additional Viewing/Reading: Stephen Colbert: White House Press Corps Dinner
Thu. Sep. 30:
Reading : Juvenal 7-16
[NB: Cicero Speeches available on-line]
Tue. Oct. 5: FIRST MIDTERM EXAM
Thu. Oct. 7: Cicero’s Speech For Archias
Thu. Oct. 14: Cicero’s Speech For Caelius
Historical Topics: The Transition to the Principate and the Early Empire
Tue. Oct. 19
Reading : Vergil 1-3
Theoretical and Interpretive Issues: Reading Ancient Texts: Repetition, Structure, Parallelism
Questions Group 1: Marco & Tim
Thu. Oct. 21:
Reading : Vergil 4-6
Additional Viewing/Reading : The West Wing,
Hartsfield’s Landing
(on-line)
Questions Group 2: Humza & Rachel
Fri. Oct. 22: FIRST PAPER THESIS STATEMENT DUE
Tue. Oct. 26:
Reading : Vergil 7-9
Theoretical and Interpretive Issues: Ideological Readings, Nationhood, Cultural Identities
Additional Viewing/Reading : Visit to Visual Resources in Mead Library (?)
Questions Group 3: Eunice & Maureen
Thu. Oct. 28:
Reading : Vergil 10-12
Questions Group 4: Alice & Christian
Fri. Oct. 29: FIRST PAPER DUE
Tue. Nov. 2: SECOND MIDTERM EXAM
Thu. Nov. 4: Begin Reading Seneca (below); introduction to Roman philosophy and Epistolography
Tue. Nov. 9 and Thu. Nov. 11
Reading : Seneca, Letters numbers 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 26, 40, 41, 47, 77, 83, 86, 88, 90, and 114
Theoretical and Interpretive Issues: Philosophical Literature

Tue. Nov 16, Thu. Nov. 18:
Reading : Livy The Early History of Rome Books 1 and 2
Historical Topics: Early Roman History: The Kings to the Republic
Theoretical and Interpretive Issues: Exemplarity, Women and Rome, Historiography and Historical ‘Truths’
Thanksgiving Week: Turkey & Tacitus!
Mon. Nov. 29: SECOND PAPER THESIS STATEMENT DUE (only upload to Dropbox by 5pm)
Tue. Nov. 30, Thu. Dec. 2:
Reading : Tacitus Dialogus ( Dialogue on the Orators ) Sections 1-15 (available on-line as
“tacitus_dialogus_first_debate”).
Reading : Tacitus Annals Book 1.1-14; Book 3.52-55, Book 4.32-35; Books 13-14
[i.e. the first 14 “sections” of Book 1, then sections 52-55 of Book 3, then sections 32-35 of Book 4; then all of Books 13 and 14]
Reading : “Deliberative Oratory in the Dialogus and the Annals
” (essay available on-line)
Optional Reading: “reading_guide_for_essay”
Historical Topics: The Empire: Julio-Claudians, Flavians, The Adoptive Principate
Theoretical and Interpretive Issues: Deliberative Rhetoric in Roman Literary Culture
Fri. Dec. 3: SECOND PAPER DUE @ 5pm (both written copy to Grosvenor House & upload to Dropbox)
Tue Dec. 7:
Reading : Tacitus Annals Books 15-16
Additional Reading: Lucan Civil War 4.402-580 (available on-line)
Theoretical and Interpretive Issues: Liberty; Death, virtus , Manliness, Spectacle and Self-Assertion, Suicide
Thu. Dec. 9: Wrap-up Discussion and Review
Tue. Dec. 14: THIRD MIDTERM EXAM