Literature of the Roman Empire
Literature of the Roman Empire In this course we will investigate the literature, culture, and history of the Roman Empire, focusing on how Romans sought, often at the cost of their own lives, to define the role and powers of the emperor and their place as subjects to this new, autocratic power. Texts we will read include: epic (Lucan), tragedy (Seneca), history (Tacitus), biography (Suetonius), prose fiction (Petronius), as well as early Christian literature. As we read we will seek to answer questions about the nature of freedom and empire, what is gained and lost by replacing a republican with an autocratic political system, and whether literature in this period can offer an accurate reflection of reality, function as an instrument of change and protest, or of fearful praise and flattery. 3 hrs lect. 1 hr. disc.
Literature of the Roman Empire In this course we will investigate the literature, culture, and history of the Roman Empire, focusing on how Romans sought, often at the cost of their own lives, to define the role and powers of the emperor and their place as subjects to this new, autocratic power. Texts we will read include: epic (Lucan), tragedy (Seneca), history (Tacitus), biography (Suetonius), prose fiction (Petronius), as well as early Christian literature. As we read we will seek to answer questions about the nature of freedom and empire, what is gained and lost by replacing a republican …Read more
Ganiban is an incredibly bright and passionate professor. It is clear just from the start that he is not only deeply knowledgeable but cares for his students well being in and out of the classroom. The course is reading heavy and at times the lectures can be boring. I will admit to frequently zoning out, but the readings are engaging and really do give you an appreciation, insight and background in Imperial Roman Literature. There are two papers and two exams. You have ample time to prepare the papers and for the exams. The final was genuinely difficult.
Ganiban is an incredibly bright and passionate professor. It is clear just from the start that he is not only deeply knowledgeable but cares for his students well being in and out of the classroom. The course is reading heavy and at times the lectures can be boring. I will admit to frequently zoning out, but the readings are engaging …Read more
I took it as a CW class and it's so worth it. I'd say my writing has improved a lot thanks to this class. Professor Ganiban was very caring, and he was lenient with the due dates of our papers and assignments. Personally, I've had some interest in ancient Rome, and I learned a lot from this class, and it also reinforced what I already knew. Highly recommended.
I like Ganiban, he is very enthuastic and a nice professor. I took the class CW, so it was essay heavy but Ganiban was pretty accomodating and tried to shift dates to better help the students. Also, the readings we did for the CW class were actually helpful and helped improve my writing. The regular class is reading heavy and the lectures feel long and boring, especially because it was around afternoon.
I like Ganiban, he is very enthuastic and a nice professor. I took the class CW, so it was essay heavy but Ganiban was pretty accomodating and tried to shift dates to better help the students. Also, the readings we did for the CW class were actually helpful and helped improve my writing. The regular class is reading heavy and the lec …Read more
Ganiban is a very enthousiastic professor. Not only is he very well versed in the material, but he also is very accommodating. This class is great if you are interested in Roman Literature and literature in general. However, I wouldn't recommend this class if you are not interested in either as it is quite reading heavy. It would also be beneficial to take this class if you have prior knowledge about ancient Rome.
Ganiban is a very enthousiastic professor. Not only is he very well versed in the material, but he also is very accommodating. This class is great if you are interested in Roman Literature and literature in general. However, I wouldn't recommend this class if you are not interested in either as it is quite reading heavy. It would als …Read more
Ganniban clearly loves the material. This class gives you a much better understanding of Rome, especially the transition of the Roman Empire to the Roman Republic through literature. Papers and Exams are challenging but graded fairly. Exams involve passage identification and a complete analysis of the passage.
Professor Ganiban is great and his lectures are very enjoyable, I would definitely take this class again. Took this class for distribution requirements and really enjoyed it. There were weekly readings with responses and papers!
Ganiban is wonderful! I took the course as a CW, so we had fewer exams but more papers. Didn't do nearly all the readings due to lack of time, but I got through it. Highly recommend for distribution reqs.