John H. Starks, Jr., jstarks@binghamton.edu

Library Tower 1116, (607)777-4524

Office Hours:

T 10-11am/W 1-2pm

Statue of Ovid, Constantsa (ancient Tomis) in Romania

Location of OvidŐs exile and death

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Isis Receiving Io at Canopus
, fresco from Temple of Isis,
Pompeii, Style III, 1st c. BCE
(Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli,
picture taken June 22, 2005 by John Starks)


LINGVA LATINA CCCLXXX M
 poemata de fervore humano
 P. Ovidii Nasonis


Binghamton University SUNY, Spring 2016
Rockefeller Center 261

dies Martis et Iovis (TTh) 2:50-4:15 PM

Daily Assignments/Syllabus

 

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Salvador Dali The Metamorphosis of Narcissus

1937 – Tate Gallery, London

Course Requirements/Grading

H(umanities) GenEd; W(Harpur Writing)

Course Synopsis and Objectives: In this advanced Latin reading course, we will explore significant selections of OvidŐs epic of mythic (though not purely mythological) transformation, the Metamorphoses, and several of his other poems, with a constant eye to OvidŐs many twists and turns on the presentation of passion, especially as manifested in eroticism, anger and appetite. Ovid utilizes many poetic and prose traditions to examine metamorphosis as a process fundamental to the oral storytelling traditions and mythologies that describe the origins of the natural world. We will read the entire epic in translation so we may discuss OvidŐs construction of particular books and his epic styling. Through translation, extensive class discussion, oral presentation, analytical writing, and scholastic inquiry, instructor and students will expand our language skills and our understanding of philosophical, moral, religious, and historical principles fundamental to the Roman experience. Student reports on other amatory works of Ovid, scholarly articles, and Ovid in other artistic traditions, as well as an introduction to important web, library, and database resources, will enhance the equally essential attention to Latin translation, scansion, and literary analysis.

Learning Outcomes for General Education Requirements:

Students in H courses will demonstrate an understanding of human experience through the study of literature or philosophy.

Students in W courses will demonstrate

1.     The ability to write effectively and coherently, in ways appropriate to the discipline and the level of the course.

2.     The ability to revise and improve their writing in both form and content. (W courses require 10 minimum pages of revised and improved writing)