Ateneo - UPO

The integrated course offers a coordinated approach to the literature and culture of the ancient world through two complementary perspectives: the study of Latin literature in the original language and the analysis of Greek and Roman theatre in its literary, historical, and performative dimensions.

The Latin Literature, Advanced Course B module focuses on dreams in ancient Rome. Through the reading, translation, and commentary of Latin texts, students will examine different forms of dream experience and their literary, religious, medical, and political interpretations, with particular attention to the relationship between dreams, divination, scepticism, authority, and the construction of truth.

The Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World module examines Greek and Roman theatrical production through the study of authors, works, and genres, their historical and performative contexts, and the visual evidence relating to ancient performance.

Taken together, the two modules provide linguistic, literary, historical-cultural, and critical tools for interpreting texts and evidence from the ancient world, relating forms of representation, cultural practices, and historical contexts.

A) Latin Literature, Advanced Course B

Attending students

Lecture notes.
Dossier of Latin texts prepared by the lecturer and made available on the DIR platform during the first week of the course.
W. V. Harris, Due son le porte dei sogni. L’esperienza onirica nel mondo antico, Rome-Bari, Laterza, 2013.
T. Braccini, ed., Classico attuale. L’antico nella cultura contemporanea, Rome, Carocci, 2026.

Non-attending students

Dossier of Latin texts prepared by the lecturer and made available on the DIR platform during the first week of the course.
P. Cox Miller, Il sogno nella tarda antichità, Rome, Jouvence, 2003.
W. V. Harris, Due son le porte dei sogni. L’esperienza onirica nel mondo antico, Rome-Bari, Laterza, 2013.
T. Braccini, ed., Classico attuale. L’antico nella cultura contemporanea, Rome, Carocci, 2026.
B. Santorelli, Storia della lingua latina, Rome, Carocci, 2025.
A. Cucchiarelli – F. Ursini, Studiare latino all’università, Rome, Carocci, 2024.
M. Simonetti – E. Prinzivalli, Storia della letteratura cristiana antica, pp. 1–69, 181–264, 431–559 only. The relevant pages will be made available on the DIR platform.

Additional volume for attending students exempt from the written examination
M. P. Pieri, La didattica del latino. Perché e come studiare lingua e civiltà dei Romani. New edition, Rome, Carocci, 2025.

B) Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World

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 students’ fundamental knowledge of Latin and develop their ability to understand, analyse, and translate straightforward Latin prose texts;

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

c) develop the ability to interpret classical texts, either in the original language or in Italian translation, according to the specific aims of the two modules, by relating authors, works, literary genres, forms of performance, and visual evidence;

d) foster the application of linguistic, literary-historical, and historical-cultural knowledge to the analysis and interpretation of texts and cultural phenomena of the ancient world;

e) develop the ability to establish connections, formulate well-founded judgements, and present the knowledge acquired clearly and independently, using appropriate disciplinary terminology.

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.

The integrated course consists of two 6-CFU modules. The Latin Culture module includes 70 hours of face-to-face teaching, 20 devoted to Latin Literature and 50 to language classes; the Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World module includes 30 hours of face-to-face teaching. The remaining workload associated with the CFUs is devoted to individual study, language consolidation, translation preparation, and the study and critical reworking of the texts and materials assigned in the two modules.

To enrol in the integrated course, students must meet the requirements specified for each of its two modules.

For the Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World module, students are required either to have passed the course Introduction to Greek Literary Culture or to hold a diploma from a liceo classico (Italian upper-secondary school specialising in classical studies). Knowledge of the Greek language is not required.

The Latin Culture module is intended exclusively for students who meet at least one of the following conditions:

a) hold an upper-secondary school diploma from a programme in which Latin was not studied;

b) hold an upper-secondary school diploma from a programme in which Latin was included in the curriculum only during the first two years;

c) hold an upper-secondary school diploma obtained more than 15 years before enrolment at the University.

For the purposes of admission, “Latin studied only during the first two years” refers to programmes in which Latin is not included in the curriculum in any form during the final three years. This category therefore does not include programmes in which, after two years of Latin language study, the final three years included curricular teaching in Latin literature or other subjects relating to Latin language and culture.

For students taking the course as a single course, the requirement concerning the age of the upper-secondary school diploma is increased to 20 years, calculated at the time of enrolment in the single course.

Students are also ineligible for the Latin Culture module if they have already obtained at least 7 CFU in sector L-FIL-LET/04 – Latin Language and Literature, now LATI-01/A – Latin Language and Literature, as part of a Bachelor’s degree or another university programme.

For the purpose of verifying eligibility, students may be required to provide documentation concerning their upper-secondary school diploma and, where relevant, their previous university record.

Students are also expected to have a good command of Italian, basic knowledge of ancient history and Mediterranean geography, and basic IT skills necessary to access and use the materials available on the DIR platform.

No additional prerequisites apply beyond the requirements listed above.

The integrated course adopts differentiated but coordinated teaching methods, consistent with the intended learning outcomes and aimed at developing disciplinary knowledge, analytical and interpretative skills, independent judgement, communication skills, and learning skills.

In the Latin Literature, Advanced Course B module, lectures provide the historical, literary, and cultural framework, and are devoted to textual analysis and to the discussion of the main linguistic, philological, and interpretative issues. A significant part of the teaching activity is devoted to the reading, translation, and morphological and syntactic analysis of Latin texts, in order to consolidate students’ language skills and develop their ability to apply them independently to textual interpretation. Discussion of different possible translations and interpretations is also used to encourage students to formulate reasoned judgements and participate actively.

In the Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World module, lectures focus on authors, genres, works, forms of performance, and their historical and performative contexts. The reading of texts in Italian translation is combined with the analysis and discussion of visual evidence and with guided comparison between texts, genres, and interpretations, with the aim of developing students’ ability to relate different types of evidence and to formulate critically grounded observations.

In both modules, the active participation of students is encouraged through questions, analytical exercises, textual discussion, comparison between different interpretations, and connections between literary, historical, and cultural issues. These activities are specifically intended to develop independent critical thinking, argumentative skills, and the informed use of disciplinary terminology.

The DIR platform is used to share texts, teaching materials, bibliographical guidance, and resources for independent study. In the Latin Literature, Advanced Course B module, a mock written examination is also provided, together with a mock oral examination within the tutoring activities. Tutoring also supports the consolidation of language skills, the revision of key morphological and syntactic topics, and the organisation of individual study.

Disabilities, SLDs and SEN. Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) or Special Educational Needs (SEN) may request the specific services and support tools provided by the University by contacting the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti and consulting the dedicated University webpage: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studentesse-e-studenti-condizione-di-disabilit%C3%A0-e-dsa. After contacting the relevant University office, students may approach the lecturer responsible for the relevant module to discuss teaching arrangements and, where appropriate, adaptations to the assessment methods, in accordance with the guidance provided by the competent offices.

Single-course enrolment. Access to the course as a single-course student is subject to the conditions applying to single-course enrolment, set out in the “Frequently Asked Questions” section of the lecturer’s UPOBook page, which students are required to read carefully: https://upobook.uniupo.it/alice.borgna.

Assessment comprises three compulsory examinations relating to the two modules: a written and an oral examination for Latin Literature, Advanced Course B, and an oral examination for Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World. All examinations must be passed, except in the cases of exemption from the Latin written examination specified below.

1. Latin Literature, Advanced Course B
The written examination accounts for 45% of the module assessment; it must be passed before the oral examination may be taken, and the written and oral examinations cannot be taken on the same exam date. It lasts two hours and consists of the translation, with a dictionary, of a Latin passage not studied in class but comparable in style, genre and period to the texts covered during the course. It assesses the ability to apply morphological, syntactic and linguistic knowledge independently. A passing performance requires correct overall comprehension of the text, recognition of the main morphosyntactic structures, and a clear and coherent Italian translation; serious or widespread errors that compromise comprehension result in failure.

The oral examination accounts for 55% and includes translation and grammatical and syntactic analysis of the Latin texts on the syllabus (60%) and their literary, historical, philological and cultural contextualisation (40%), as well as one question on each essay or book included in the syllabus. Each component must reach at least a passing standard. Non-attending students and single-course students must also complete a compulsory section on Latin metre.

Regular attending students of Latin Literature, Advanced Course A or B who, from the 2021/2022 academic year onwards, have already passed the corresponding written examination with a mark of at least 24/30 are exempt from the written examination. In this case, the oral examination accounts for 100% of the module assessment and includes the additional book listed under Textbooks. The exemption does not apply to non-attending students or single-course students.

2. Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World
The examination is oral and consists of three components of substantially equal weight: a) authors and works on the syllabus; b) theatre history and its historical, geographical and performative contexts; c) the ability to establish connections, interpret texts and visual evidence, and formulate reasoned judgements.

Taken together, the examinations assess knowledge and understanding; the ability to apply knowledge in translation and interpretation; independent judgement in comparing texts, evidence and interpretations; communication skills in oral presentation and the use of disciplinary terminology; and the ability to organise and critically rework independent study.

A mark of 18–21/30 requires essential but accurate knowledge, an adequate translation where applicable, correct contextualisation, and comprehensible presentation. Marks of 22–26/30 indicate secure knowledge correctly applied; 27–29/30 indicate broad, independent and well-argued preparation; 30/30 requires full command of the subject matter, analytical precision, independent critical judgement, and particular clarity of presentation. Honours (30 cum laude) additionally require particular intellectual maturity and the ability to rework the material independently.

The final mark for the integrated course is agreed collegially by the lecturers responsible for the two modules, on the basis of the overall achievement of the intended learning outcomes and the balance of the student’s preparation; it is not calculated as an arithmetic or weighted average of separate module marks.

For the Latin Literature written examination, students should use the morphology and syntax revision materials, translation exercises, the mock written examination, and the materials available on DIR. For the oral examinations, students must prepare the texts, textbooks and materials specified in the respective syllabi.

The integrated course offers a coordinated pathway through the literature and culture of the ancient world, combining linguistic and literary analysis of Latin texts with the study of Greek and Roman theatrical forms, their historical and performative contexts, and the related visual evidence. The two modules jointly develop students’ ability to read and interpret classical texts by relating language, literary genres, forms of representation, cultural practices, and historical contexts.

1. Latin Literature, Advanced Course B – Dreams in Ancient Rome
The module examines dreams as a literary, religious, medical, and political phenomenon in Roman culture. Through the reading, translation, and commentary of Latin texts, students will analyse epiphanic and symbolic dreams, prophetic dreams, apparitions of the dead, nightmares, erotic dreams, dreams of illness and healing, dreams of power, and dreams of death.
Particular attention will be devoted to the ways in which texts construct the boundary between truth, fiction, omen, symptom, and superstition, and to the different ancient interpretations of dream experience, from religious and divinatory readings to sceptical positions and rationalistic explanations. The relationship between dream narratives and authority, memory, and the construction of truth will also be examined, together with the literary and political uses of dreams.
Work on the texts includes reading, translation, morphological and syntactic analysis, literary interpretation, and historical, philological, and cultural contextualisation, with the aim of relating linguistic and formal choices to the function assumed by dream narratives in different texts.


2. Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World
The module explores Greek and Roman theatrical production in its literary, historical, and performative dimensions. Texts by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus, and Terence will be examined, with particular attention to the characteristics of the main theatrical genres, forms of performance, and the relationship between dramatic text and performance.
The study of the works will be accompanied by analysis of their historical, geographical, and cultural contexts and of the material and performative conditions of ancient theatre. Literary evidence will be compared with visual evidence relating to theatre, in order to develop students’ ability to integrate different types of sources and to distinguish between text, performance, and modern reconstruction of ancient performative practices.


Integration of the gender dimension
In both modules, specific attention will be devoted to the cultural and literary construction of gender roles. In the Latin Literature, Advanced Course B module, the representation of dreams attributed to female figures will be considered, together with the ways in which dream experience contributes to constructing authority, vulnerability, desire, fear, and prophetic capacity in relation to gender. In the Theatre and Performance in the Ancient World module, attention will be paid to the representation of female figures, models of male and female behaviour, family and social roles, and the literary and performative construction of authority, marginality, the body, speech, and power.

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

Knowledge and understanding
Minimum level: students should know the main themes, texts, and issues addressed in the two modules; understand dreams in Roman culture in their literary, religious, medical, and political dimensions; know the authors, genres, forms, and contexts of Greek and Roman theatre and the essential features of the related visual evidence; and possess the morphological and syntactic knowledge required to understand the Latin texts included in the syllabus.
Advanced level: students should possess coherent and in-depth knowledge and be able to connect texts, genres, cultural and performative practices, historical contexts, and interpretations, distinguishing between the different functions of dream narratives and the different forms of ancient theatrical representation.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Minimum level: students should be able to translate the Latin texts on the syllabus with overall accuracy, recognising their main morphosyntactic structures; interpret classical texts, including those read in Italian translation, by placing them in their relevant literary, historical, and performative contexts; and use visual evidence appropriately.
Advanced level: students should be able to translate and analyse Latin texts accurately and independently; relate language, literary form, context, and the function of dream narratives; and compare theatrical texts, genres, performative practices, and visual evidence, critically integrating different types of sources.

Making judgements
Minimum level: students should be able to formulate relevant observations on texts, evidence, and the main interpretations, distinguishing textual and documentary data from critical evaluations.
Advanced level: students should be able to discuss independently the reasons, limits, and implications of different interpretations, with particular attention to the relationships between literature, belief, authority, memory, performance, power, and representations of gender.

Communication skills
Minimum level: students should be able to present the knowledge acquired clearly and coherently, use disciplinary terminology correctly, and discuss texts and evidence without relying on mere rote repetition.
Advanced level: students should be able to argue independently, accurately, and effectively, connecting texts, issues, and different types of sources, and adapting their presentation where appropriate to a possible teaching context.

Learning skills
Minimum level: students should be able to use appropriately the texts, textbooks, dossiers, visual evidence, and materials available on DIR in order to organise their study and prepare for the examinations.
Advanced level: students should be able to investigate linguistic, literary, historical-cultural, and performative issues independently, identify complex interpretative problems, and apply the methods acquired to texts and evidence not specifically covered during the course.