Roman Epic

This subject is not offered in 2008.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

In this subject students will read an extensive extract (usually a book) from a Latin epic poem, such as Virgil's Aeneid, Ovid's Metamorphoses or Lucan's Bellum Civile. The subject introduces students to the genre of epic poetry, its history and background in Greek culture, and its position in Roman literature. The individual text will be studied in its historical context and in relation to other literary texts of the time. Students will explore the themes and content of epic, such as warfare, empire, heroic culture, ethnic identity and masculinity, and consider how the mythic past is used to reflect upon the author's own time. On completion of the subject students should develop a good knowledge of a key Roman text and an enhanced understanding of Roman literary culture.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• be skilled in critical thinking and analysis;

• possess effective written communication skills;

• have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.

This is an Intermediate Level Latin subject.