Goals, Expectations and Evaluation

I have designed the course readings and assignments with the goal that students:

• develop their abilities to read texts closely and critically, to pose meaningful questions, investigate multiple interpretations, and communicate their conclusions effectively to others in spoken and written forms, and



• become familiar with the major works and themes in ancient Roman literature and material culture.

To these ends, the course will emphasize writing and discussion. We will use writing in part as a method to think and learn about the course material. For example, to help you read more carefully and prepare to participate in class discussion, 8 informal response papers are required over the course of the semester (at least 4 before Spring Break). These 1-2 page musings on the day's reading - potentially including a summary, comments, critique, concerns, comparison to other readings, answers to the discussion questions or proposals for new questions - must be submitted before discussion for credit. For all reading assignments, questions are provided on the syllabus to help direct your reading and responses, as well as our discussion.

I encourage creative writing as a form of response, such as composing a new section of the Aeneid, imagining Antony's propaganda against Octavian, or trying your hand at comedy. We will also have one group project early in the semester aimed specifically at exercising your historical imagination and encouraging you to consider the literary, rhetorical and socio-historical context of any ancient evidence. More information on this assignment will be provided in class.

Two short, formal essays are required. These are your opportunity to present a fully-developed and well-evidenced written argument on a particular issue. We will spend time discussing argumentative writing, including both its form and content, as well as the critical stages of writing: planning, drafting and revising. Late paper policy: if a paper is not turned in by the designated time, one letter grade will be deducted from the one otherwise earned. For every additional day the paper is late (24 hrs.), another letter grade will be deducted.

Class participation includes reading the assigned material, thinking about the questions posed on the syllabus and otherwise preparing, coming to class regularly and on time, as well as actively participating in the group discussion. Your eight response papers will count toward your participation grade. Attendance will be kept; not only will you not receive credit for participation if you are absent, after four absences your grade will suffer directly. More than six absences may cause you to fail the course. A quiz on places, people and events in Roman history will be given on Tuesday, February 7; this and any pop quizzes on reading and class material will count toward your preparation and participation grade. Late and make-up work will not be accepted.

And last but not least, a final exam (Friday, May 5, 8:00-10:00am) will allow you to have the final word on the issues we have explored over the semester. If you have difficulties with the date of any scheduled quiz or exam, consult with me in advance. Likewise, if your abilities necessitate special exam conditions or other considerations, I encourage you to discuss these with me as soon as possible.

Final grades will be calculated based on the following formula: