Ateneo - UPO

The integrated course offers a coordinated introduction to the language, literature and forms of performance of the ancient world.

The Latin Culture module includes a linguistic component, devoted to consolidating Latin morphology and syntax and to understanding and translating simple Latin prose texts, and a literary component, focused on the historical development of Latin literature in the Imperial and Late Antique periods.

The Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World module examines Greek and Roman theatrical production from literary, performative and historical-cultural perspectives through the reading of texts in Italian translation and the study of visual evidence.

Taken together, the two modules provide linguistic, literary-historical and critical tools for understanding classical texts and interpreting them within their cultural, political and performative contexts.

A) Latin Culture module

Latin Literature component

Attending students

P. Fedeli, E. Malaspina, L. Antonelli, Le parole di Roma. Storia della letteratura latina, Turin, UTET Università, 2023.
Readings from individual authors and supplementary materials available on the DIR platform, as specified in the “Detailed Programme”.

Non-attending students

P. Fedeli, E. Malaspina, L. Antonelli, Le parole di Roma. Storia della letteratura latina, Turin, UTET Università, 2023.
Readings from individual authors and supplementary materials available on the DIR platform, as specified in the “Detailed Programme”.
F. Gasti, La letteratura tardolatina. Un profilo storico (secoli III-VII d.C.), Rome, Carocci, 2020.

Latin Language component

M.P. Ciuffarella, A. Diotti, InGenio. Lezioni di latino 1-2, Milan, Edizioni Scolastiche Mondadori, 2021. Students must have the textbook available from the first class of the Latin Language component.

B) Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World module

A. Belardinelli, Lo spettacolo teatrale dei Greci, Le Monnier, 2023.
B. Zimmermann, La commedia greca, Rome, Carocci, 2016.
O. Taplin, R. Wyles, The Pronomos Vase and its Context, Oxford, 2010.
M. Di Marco, Storia del teatro greco, Rome, 2020.

In line with the learning objectives of the Degree Programme, the integrated course aims to:

a) consolidate fundamental knowledge of Latin and develop the ability to understand, analyse and translate simple prose texts;

b) provide a structured knowledge of Imperial and Late Antique Latin literature and of Greek and Roman theatrical production within their historical, cultural, political and performative contexts;

c) develop the ability to interpret classical texts, including texts read in Italian translation, by establishing connections between authors, genres, works, forms of performance and visual evidence;

d) promote the formulation of well-founded judgements, clear and independent presentation skills, and the appropriate use of disciplinary terminology, also from an educational perspective.

The two modules jointly contribute to the acquisition of linguistic, literary-historical and critical skills relating to the culture and performative practices of the ancient world.

To enrol in the course, students must satisfy the requirements of both modules.

For the Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World module, students must either have passed Introduction to Greek Literary Civilization or hold a diploma from a classical upper secondary school. No knowledge of Greek is required.

The Latin Culture module is reserved for students who:

a) did not study Latin at upper secondary school; or
b) studied Latin only during the first two years of upper secondary school; or
c) obtained their upper secondary school diploma more than fifteen years before enrolment.

Students must also not have already earned 7 or more credits in L-FIL-LET/04, now LATI-01/A. For single-course enrolment, the period specified under point c) is increased to twenty years. Verification of eligibility may require a copy of the upper secondary school diploma and of any previous university transcript.

Students are also expected to have a good command of Italian, basic knowledge of ancient history and Mediterranean geography, and basic IT skills for using the DIR platform. There are no further formal prerequisites.

The course adopts differentiated but coordinated teaching methods across the two modules.

The Latin Culture module combines lectures, exercises in morphology and syntax, grammatical and logical analysis, comprehension and guided translation of simple Latin texts, the reading and commentary of literary texts in Italian translation, and discussion of the main historical-cultural and interpretative issues.

The Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World module includes lectures on authors, genres, texts, performative contexts and visual evidence, together with the reading of works in Italian translation and guided classroom discussion.

Active participation is encouraged through exercises, questions, comparison of interpretations and classroom discussion. The DIR platform is used to share texts, materials, exercises and study guidance; tutoring activities are also provided to support learning and examination preparation.

Disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) and Special Educational Needs (SENs). Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) or Special Educational Needs (SENs) may request the dedicated services and support provided by the University by contacting the Staff for Career Development and Coordination and Student Services and consulting the relevant page of the University website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studentesse-e-studenti-condizione-di-disabilit%C3%A0-e-dsa. After contacting the relevant University Staff, students with disabilities, SLDs or SENs may contact the lecturer responsible for the relevant module to discuss teaching-related matters and any necessary adjustments to the assessment methods, in accordance with the instructions provided by the competent University offices.

Single courses. Admission to the course as a single-course student is strictly subject to the conditions established by the Chair. Before applying for enrolment, students must carefully consult the course coordinator’s UPOBook page, in particular the “Frequently Asked Questions” section, which sets out the Chair’s policies concerning single-course enrolment: https://upobook.uniupo.it/alice.borgna.

Assessment consists of three compulsory examinations: a written examination in Latin Language, an oral examination in Latin Literature, and an oral examination in Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World. All three examinations must be passed. The final grade is awarded jointly by the lecturers of the two modules on the basis of the overall achievement of the learning outcomes and the balance of the student’s preparation; it is not calculated as the arithmetic or weighted average of separate grades.

1. Latin Culture module

Within the module, the Latin Language written examination accounts for 60% of the module grade and the Latin Literature oral examination for 40%.

The Latin Language written examination lasts three hours and consists of:
i) a two-hour grammar test without a dictionary, accounting for 60%;
ii) a one-hour translation of a simple prose text from Latin into Italian, with a dictionary, accounting for 40%.

Both parts must be passed with a grade of at least 18/30. The written examination may be replaced by three interim tests: an average grade of 18/30 or above gives direct access to the oral examination; an average between 16/30 and 17/30 requires an additional grammar assessment during the oral examination. Non-attending students must pass the written examination before taking the oral examination.

The Latin Literature oral examination assesses knowledge of the authors, genres, texts and historical development of Imperial and Late Antique Latin literature, together with the ability to interpret them within their historical, cultural and political contexts; this component accounts for 70%. Clarity of presentation, independence and appropriate use of disciplinary terminology account for 30%.

2. Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World module

The examination is oral and assesses:
- knowledge of the prescribed authors and works: approximately one third;
- knowledge of theatre history and its historical, geographical and performative contexts: approximately one third;
- the ability to establish connections and formulate well-founded judgements on the texts and visual evidence: approximately one third.

A passing grade requires essential knowledge, correct understanding of the main linguistic and literary-historical structures, relevant answers and an overall coherent translation. Higher grades require broader and better-organized knowledge, accurate connections, independence and appropriate use of language. Excellent grades require full command of the content, rigorous interpretation, independent critical reflection and particularly clear presentation.

Preparation should be based on the prescribed texts and textbooks, the materials available on DIR and, for the Latin Language written examination, the exercises and sample papers provided on the platform.

The integrated course consists of two coordinated and compulsory modules.

1. Latin Culture

The module is divided into two integrated and inseparable components.

Latin Literature. The literary component focuses on the historical development of Imperial and Late Antique Latin literature, with attention to authors, genres, texts, historical-cultural and political contexts, and the main interpretative issues. The following authors will be studied: Lucan, Seneca, Statius, Quintilian, Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, Martial, Juvenal, Petronius, Apuleius, Tacitus, Suetonius, Ammianus Marcellinus, Rutilius Namatianus, Symmachus and Ausonius.

Integration of the gender dimension. The course will examine the representation of female figures, models of male and female behaviour, family and social roles, and the literary construction of authority, marginality, the body, speech and power.

Attending students must prepare the lecture notes, the prescribed sections of the textbook and the readings indicated on DIR. Non-attending students must prepare the same authors and materials and, in addition, F. Gasti, La letteratura tardolatina. Un profilo storico (secoli III-VII d.C.).

Latin Language. The linguistic component covers: the subjunctive, imperative, infinitive and participle; gerund, gerundive and supine; compounds of sum; deponent and semi-deponent verbs; fio and facio; comparatives and superlatives; demonstrative, interrogative, indefinite and indefinite relative pronouns and adjectives; the double dative; final, complement, infinitive, consecutive and concessive clauses; narrative cum; the ablative absolute; independent conditional sentences; active and passive periphrastic conjugations; the construction of videor; impersonal verbs and independent uses of the subjunctive. The study of these topics is accompanied by grammatical and logical analysis, guided translation and reflection on the legacy of Latin in the Italian language, also from an educational perspective.

2. Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World

The module examines Greek and Roman theatrical production from literary, historical and performative perspectives. The programme includes the reading in Italian translation and interpretation of texts by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus and Terence; the study of the genres and forms of ancient performance; the analysis of historical, geographical and performative contexts; and the examination of visual evidence relating to the theatre. Selected chapters from M. Di Marco, Storia del teatro greco, are also included, as specified during the course.

By the end of the course, students are expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes.

Knowledge and understanding
Minimum level: knowledge of the main morphological and syntactic structures of Latin; knowledge of the authors, genres and contexts of Imperial and Late Antique Latin literature and of Greek and Roman theatre, including the main forms of performance and the related visual evidence.
Advanced level: well-structured linguistic and literary-historical knowledge and the ability to connect texts, genres, performative practices, and cultural and political contexts.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Minimum level: ability to understand, analyse and translate simple Latin prose texts with the aid of a dictionary; ability to interpret classical texts read in Italian translation and place them within their historical and performative contexts.
Advanced level: ability to translate with greater confidence, compare works and genres, and integrate linguistic, literary, historical and visual evidence into interpretation.

Making judgements
Minimum level: ability to formulate relevant observations on texts and the main interpretations, distinguishing documentary evidence from critical evaluation.
Advanced level: ability to discuss independently the grounds and limitations of different interpretations, with attention to the relationships between language, literature, performance, power, social roles and gender representations.

Communication skills
Minimum level: ability to present the material studied clearly and in an orderly manner, using disciplinary terminology correctly.
Advanced level: ability to present analyses and interpretations independently, accurately and through well-structured arguments, also from an educational perspective.

Learning skills
Minimum level: ability to use textbooks, texts, exercises and materials available on DIR to organize individual study and prepare for the examinations.
Advanced level: ability to investigate linguistic, literary and performative issues independently and apply the methods acquired to texts and documents not examined during the course.