courses home page

http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~classics/poetry_and_prose/poetry.html=audioclip included
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~jfarrell/courses/spring96/myth/metstruc.htm= about the structure of the Metamorphoses= multiple links
http://academic.reed.edu/english/Courses/English301/ovid.html
http://www.tkline.freeserve.co.uk/

Latin 3398/4398

Fall 2002

Inst.: Francesca D'Alessandro Behr

Time: Thursday 4 to 6:30

Room: AH 203

Text Book: Jestin-Kats, Ovid: Amores Metamorphoses (Bolchazy-Carducci)

Secondary Readings:

Penelope Murray, "Ovid's Metamorphoses" in D. Montserrat (ed.), Changing Bodies, Changing Meanings. Routledge. 1998
Curran, L. "Transformation and Anti-Agustanism in Ovid's Metamorphoses" in Arethusa 5 (1972/3) pp.71-91
Richlin, A. "Reading Ovid's Rapes" in Richlin, A. Pornography and Representation in the Ancient World, New York, 1992.

Look at the following web-pages:

Daedalus and Icarus in Paintings

Fall of Icarus by Pieter Brueghel

Meter

Description of the Course:

We will read selections from Ovid' s Amores and Metamorphoses. Most of our primary readings will be taken from the textbook. Our textbook provides a decent bibliography on the passages that we are reading and it also lists related web-sites. I will provide the fourth year students with extra passages to translate (Amores I.2; I.13; I.8; Metamorphoses VIII.1-165 = Scylla; I.568-746= The Io' s story). While preparing use whatever tool you prefer (dictionary, translations, websites, etc.). In class be ready to give explanations of the way in which you translate and do not hesitate to express doubts and problems in your translation. Sometimes I will ask to write down summaries and personal reflections of assigned readings. Your goals should be:

1. Knowledge of syntax, morphology and vocabulary of sections translated.

2. Awareness of the main features of the genres discussed (elegy and epic). Ability to discuss the style and tone of every passage.

3. Knowledge and modern relevance of the main issues raised by the text and discussed in class. Some of the most important issues which will be discussed are: representation of women in elegy, representation of rape in the Metamorphoses, representation of the artist.

I am also asking my advanced Latin students to write a paper (5 pages minimum, double spaced, standard margins and font size). The topic will have to be pre-approved by the instructor (talk to me before you start researching) and presented to the rest of the class in a brief but effective oral presentation (12/20 minutes, you can use slides, posters, models, etc.).

Grades are determined according to the following criteria:
4 tests of increasing difficulty (no dictionary allowed): 50%
attendance and class participation: 30%
oral presentation: 10%
paper: 10%

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The Human Situation (2002):

Alpha Team

Discussion Groups : MWF 1 to 2 in AH 213

ITAL 2301/2302

TEXT BOOKS: Crescendo! by Francesca Italiano and Irene Marchegiani Jones, Harcourt College Publishers 1995 (Required).
INTERMEDIATE READER: Il reale e il possible by Mara Mauri Jacobsen and Anna Maria Bellezza, Harcourt College Publishers, 1999 (Required).
WORKBOOK/LABORATORY MANUAL: Crescendo! Quadernodegli esercizi e Manuale d'ascolto by Francesca Italiano and Marchegiani Jones, 1995 (Required).
- The Laboratory manual section is to be done in conjunction with the Crescendo! Cassette program. These audiocassettes are available in the Foriegn Language Laboratory, 311 AH, to be checked out to the student.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE LABORATORY, 311 AH.
INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.hfac.uh.edu/mcl/html.
REQUIREMENTS: Attendance, class participation, workbook/lab manual, laboratory work, written themes, quizzes, tests, oral Mid-term exam, and Final Exam (oral and written).
ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED. Students will be dropped from the course for excessive absences. Three unexcused absences or two unexcused absences are considered excessive. If students have valid or university excused absences, they must consult with the instructor to avoid being dropped.

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ITAL 3301-SYLLABUS (Spring 2001)

Syllabus for 3301 Readings in Ital. Lit. to 18th Cent.=
OF KNIGHTS AND LADIES, OF LOVE AND ARMS..î: RENAISSANCE LITERATURE AND SOCIETY.

Instructor: Francesca D'Alessandro Behr

Required readings:
- Ariosto L. Orlando Furioso (Penguin)
- Castiglione, B. The Book of Courtier (Penguin)
- Stortoni , L. and Lillie, M. (edd) Women poets of the Italian Renaissance: courtly ladies and courtesans. (Italica Press, 1997) [It is an anthology of writings in different genres and by women of diverse social rank.]
- Aretino, P. The Marescalco (Dovehouse ed. Canada, 1992) [A comedy: The Marescalco, whom everyone knows to be a homosexual, must marry a young girl of the Dukeís choice. As a courtier, the stable master must endure his Lordís whims, even to the point of betraying his sexual identity.]

Introductory Remarks

By reading well-know and less famous books of this age, we will investigate one of the most famous period in the History of creativity. In spite of the wars, court life thrives in the different Italian cities. The instructor will provide the students with the historical and political background necessary to understand some of the intellectual achievements of the Renaissance.
Numerous writers celebrate their patrons in poems that intend to challenge classical antiquity, confront themselves with ancient models and the problem of ìoriginalityî ; Ariosto writes the Oralndo Furioso, Castiglione fancies an ideal society in his Book of the Courtesan. The word Renaissance certainly describes the great ìflourishing of art and thought, that luxuriant development of every activity of the mindÖ humanity intended as liberty, as thoughtful life of the spirit where man can celebrate himself.î (E. Garin, Il Rinascimento, Bologna 1980). Nevertheless, even in these books, the final portrayal of men and society, reveals skepticism towards the dreams of civilization. Aretino in his comedies and letters reminds us of the barbaric and irrational sides of humanities.
Knights and arms will not be our only concern. History is not only the domain of kings and queen, it is a combination of cultural, economical and social processes triggered by individuals or/and groups of people. It is important to treat processes not as disembodied phenomena. If we want to understand the Renaissance, it is necessary to consider in it, not only the role of adult males, but also that of women, old people and children. Given our limited time, we will consider women only. We will focus our discussion on the writings of educated ladies who could write in Latin as well as on the life of illiterate prostitutes.

Secondary Readings (I will specify which are optional and which are required; they represent the background or theoretical frame of some of the issues discussed in class)

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ITAL 3301-WEEK BY WEEK SCHEDULE

Syllabus (week by week)
Readings in Italian Lit. to 18th Cent.
Of knights and Ladies, of Love and Arms: Renaissance Literature and Society

Instructor: Francesca D'Alessandro Behr, assist. Prof.
Italian 3301 section #04795
MW 2:30 to 4:00 pm
Office: AH 423 ext. 33043
e-mail:francescabehr@hotmail.com

Grades: Attendance and participation=20%
3 Tests=50%
Take homes=30% (Italian majors will write their take homes in Italian)
Class policy: students are expected to have read the material assigned and to be ready to summarize and discuss it. It is strongly suggested to take notes during class. After three unjustified absences the students will be dropped.

Week I, 1/17 Presentation of the class

Week II, 1/22-24 Historical presentation; musical ìnotesî (Read: book I of the Courtesan)

Week III, 1/29-31 The arts, Video presentation (Read: book II of the Courtier)

Week IV, 2/5-7 Castiglione and the Book of the Courtier (Read: Book III of the Courtesan)

Week V, 2/12-14 Book of the Courtier (Read: Book IV of the Courtier)

Week VI, 2/19-21 Review and test # 1

Week VII 2/26-28 Ariosto and the Orlando Furioso (start reading the Orlando Furioso)

Week VIII 3/5-7 Orlando Furioso: the genre and its literary antecedents. The theme of love; the theme of the arms; politics; the ladyknight; Playing with gender ìFiordispina & Ricciardetto =canto 25.25ff.

_____Spring Break from 3/11 to 3/17__________

First take home is due right after spring break

Week IX, 3/19-21 Ariosto /Orlando Furioso: the ladyknight, the dynastic theme.

NB: At the end of this week you should have read: Cantos 1, 2, 4, 6, 10 (only about Logistillaís Palace), 13 (only part about Bradamanteís descendants), 19, 20, 23, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 35, 36, 38, 41 (only Ruggiero baptized, p. 490 in Penguin ed.), 46.

Week X, 3/26-28 Test #2 (Monday);
Women Writers and more (Start reading the selections suggested)

Week XI, 4/2-4 Women Writers

Week XII, 4/9-11 Women Writers

Second take home is due on Wednesday 4/11

Week XIII, 4/16-18 Aretino and the Marescalco (start reading the Marescalco) Aretino and the Marescalco (start reading the Marescalco)

Week XIV, 4/23-25 Marescalco andReview

Test # 3 (Final) on scheduled day.

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Spring 2002: Ital 3301 (sect.05289) Reading in Italian Literature to the 18th century

(=Women, men and Ideas of the Italian Renaissance)

Instructor: Francesca Behr (Assist. Prof.)

fbehr@mail.uh.edu

office: AH 423

class time: MW 2:30 to 4:00 in 12AH

Grading Policy

Attendance and participation=20%
3 Tests=50%
2 Take homes=30% (Italian majors will write their take homes in Italian)
Class policy: students are expected to have read the material assigned and to be ready to summarize and discuss it. It is strongly suggested to take notes during class. After three unjustified absences the students will be dropped.

Required Textbooks: (All available at the Campus Bookstore):

M. Gordon, Joan of Arc (Viking 2000)
L. Ariosto, Orlando Furioso (Penguin)
T. Tasso, Jerusalem Delivered, A. Esolen tr. (Johns Hopkins 2000)
M. Fonte, The Worth of Women, tr. V. Cox (Univ. of Chicago Press 1997)

This class will have the same goals of that I taught last Spring (read the Introductory Remarks above) but we will not read the same texts. We will have a focus on epic literature and women.

The figure of Joan of Arc will help us to frame some of the critical issues which are of fundamental importance for the understanding of this historical period: identity, gender and religion.

During the Renaissance numerous writers celebrate their patrons in poems that intend to challenge classical antiquity, confront themselves with ancient models and the problem of "originality" ; Ariosto and Tasso challenge Homer and Virgil in the creation of the Orlando Furioso and the Jerusalem Delivered. We will read both epic poems during this semester.

The word Renaissance certainly describes the great "flourishing of art and thought, that luxuriant development of every activity of the mindá humanity intended as liberty, as thoughtful life of the spirit where man can celebrate himself." (E. Garin, Il Rinascimento, Bologna 1980). Nevertheless, even in the epic works under examination, the final portrayal of men and society, reveals skepticism towards the dreams of civilization and the realization of individual or communal projects.

Knights and arms will not be our only concern. History is not only the domain of kings and queen, it is a combination of cultural, economical and social processes triggered by individuals or/and groups of people. It is important to treat processes not as disembodied phenomena. If we want to understand the Renaissance, it is necessary to consider in it, not only the role of adult males, but also that of women, old people and children. Given our limited time, we will consider women only. We will focus our discussion on the writings of Moderata Fonte, an educated woman from Venice, who writes in defense of women.

I will put on Reserve in the Anderson's Library secondary readings which are required.

Resources available for preparing at home: http://www.class.uh.edu/mcl/fll/march16/tracks.html

Syllabus week by week

Week I 1/14-16 Presentation of Class. Historical background of the Italian Renaissance

Week II 1/23 (1/21 is Martin Luther King's day) Historical background

*Assignment: On Reserve study "The Italian Renaissance" in Kishlanski and others, Civilization in the West.

Week III 1/28-30 The Arts: Video Presentation; Stepping back: Joan of Arc.

Week IV 2/4-6 Film Screening: Selection of C. Dryer' s The Passion of Joan of Arc and O. Preminger's The Story of Joan

*Assignment: Read Gordon pp.1-72

Week V 2/11-13 Film Screening: The Messenger by L. Besson

*Assignment: Read Gordon pp. 72-147

Week VI 2/18-20 Discussion and Review; First Test

Week VII 2/25-27 Ariosto's Life and the Background of the Orlando Furioso

*Assignment: Read cantos 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 13 (Bradamante's descendants only), 19, 20, 23.

&emdash;Spring Break (from 3/4 to 3/9)&emdash;

Week VIII 3/11-13 Orlando Furioso, the genre and its literary antecedents. The theme of love, arms and politics. Characters. The lady knights.

Hand in your First Take home.

*Assignment: Read cantos 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 35, 36, 38, 41(only Ruggiero's Baptism), 46.

Week IX 3/18-20 Tasso's Life and the Gerusalemme Liberata (Jerusalem delivered)

*Assignment:Cantos 2 (esp. Sofronia and Olindo), 3.17-30 and 58-76 (Erminia describes the enemies to Aladino), 4.1-52,65-69, 75-89 (the strength of the Evil Powers; Armida is sent to Goffredo and requests help. Goffredo does not fall in thetrap but his brother does), 5.16-31(Rinaldo kills Germando and runs away), 6.35-114 (Argante fights with Tancredi. Erminia in love with the Christian hero watches, frightened, from the wall. When Tancredi is wounded, she decides to wear Clorinda's armor and to visit the enemy's camp).

Week X 3/25-27 Jerusalem Delivered

*Assignment: Cantos 10.1-30, 53-78 (Solimano is defeated and rescued by the magician Ismeno. Rinaldo's future glory is reavealed), 12.1-86 (Death of Clorinda), 14 (Goffredo, after a dream, decides to forgive Rinaldo. He sends Carlo and Ubaldo to find him. They learn from the magician of Ascalona about where he is and how to rescue him in the kingdom of Armida), 15 (the trip) and 16 (Rinaldo is rescued and confronts Armida. The woman's love is turned into anger),

Week XI 4/1-3 Jerusalem Delivered

*Assignment: Cantos 17.58-97 (Rinaldo's descendants), 18 (Rinaldo's triumph), 19.1-30 and 57-115 (Battle between Argante and Tancredi; Erminia, Vafrino and Tancredi), 20.133-144 (Goffredo in victory).

Week XII 4/8-10 Second Test (on Ariosto and Tasso); Moderata Fonte and the city of Venice.

*Assignment: The Worth of Women pp. 1-40

Week XIII 4/15-17 Moderata Fonte and The Worth of Women

Wednesday April 17: Artemisia Gentileschi. (I will see you in the Lab where I will be lecturing using trackstar)

*Assignment: The Worth of Women pp.43-65 and 68-79

On Sunday April 21, 4pm :Screening of the movie Artemisia by French director Agnes Merlet film Artemisia in the Honors College Lounge in connection with the French Language Film Festival "Action de femme", sponsored by MC. The film will be discussed at the end of the projection.

Week XIV 4/22-24 Moderata Fonte and the Worth of Women

*Assignment: The Worth of Women pp.116-117 and 119-126

Hand in second Take home

Final Exam on scheduled day (Monday May 6th at 2:00 pm)

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LATN 3398/4398

Seneca's Phaedra - Spring 2001
Instructor: Francesca D'alessandro Behr, Assist. Prof.

E-mail:francescabehr@hotmail.com
Office:713-743-3043

Time: Friday 11:30 to 2:00(The first day of class for us will be Jan. 26) in AH 444

Textbook: Seneca's Phaedra published by Bolchazy-Carducci

Description of Course:

We will read selections of Senecaís Phaedra. Most of our primary readings will be taken from the textbook. Additional latin to be translated will be provided by the teacher. While preparing use whatever tool you prefer (dictionary, translations, web sites, etc.). In class be ready to give explanations of the way in which you translate and do not hesitate to express doubts and problems in your translations. In class you can consult your notes if you need to do so. Attendance is mandatory.

Your goals should be:
1. Knowledge of syntax, morphology and vocabulary of sections translated.
2. Awareness of the main features of this genre.
3. Knowledge and modern relevance of the main issues raised by the text and discussed in class.

In order to help you to become familiar with modern interpretations and critical issues surrounding Senecaís work and the tragedy in question I will ask you, at times, to read some secondary readings. They will be on reserve at the library.

List of secondary readings:
- In Africa, T. Rome of the Caesars, London 1965, ch. 5 The Courtier Seneca, pp.83- 100.
- In Segal, C. Language and Desire in Senecaís Phaedra, Princeton University Press 1986 : ìImagery and the Landscape of Desireî pp.29-60 and ìDesire, Silence, and the Speech of the Swordî pp.150-180.
- Nussbaum, M. The Therapy of Desire: Theory and Practice in Hellenistic Ethics.
- Herrington, C.J. ìSenecan Tragedyî Arion 5 (1966) pp.422-71
- Rosenmayer, T. Senecan Drama and Stoic Cosmology, Berkeley, 1989

I am also asking my advanced Latin students to write a paper for the end of the semester (5 pages minimum, double-spaced, standard margins and font size). I will decide the list of possible topics for the paper. The student will have to choose one. I am open to suggestion but the topics will have to focus on the readings and discussion done during the semester.

Grades are determined according to the following criteria:

- 4 test of increasing difficulty (dictionary and notes are not allowed): 50%
- attendance and class participation: 30%
- paper: 20%

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Latin 3301/4301 (Fall 00)

Reading Ovid

Inst.: Francesca D'Alessandro Behr

Time: Friday 3 to 5 pm

Text Book: Jestin-Kats, Ovid: Amores Metamorphoses

Secondary Readings:

- Curran, L. "Transformation and Anti-Agustanism in Ovid's Metamorphoses" in Arethusa 5 (1972/3) pp.71-91

- Richlin, A. "Reading Ovid's Rapes" in Richlin, A. Pornography and Representation in the Ancient World

Description of the Course:

1. Knowledge of syntax, morphology and vocabulary of sections translated.

2. Awareness of the main features of the genres discussed (elegy and epic). Ability to discuss the style and tone of every passage.

Grades are determined according to the following criteria:

- 4 tests of increasing difficulty (no dictionary allowed): 50%

- attendance and class participation: 30%

- oral presentation: 10%

- paper: 10%

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Fall 2001

04801 LATN 3398 Special Readings in Latin Literature &

04802 LATN 4398 Special Problems =

The Aeneid of Virgil

Francesca D'Alessandro Behr, Assistant Professor

Department of Modern and Classical Languages

e-mail:francescabehr@hotmail.com

Office: AH 423, Phone and Voicemail 713-743-3043

Office hour: Monday and Wednesday 11 to 12 or by appoint.

Textbook: Virgil's Aeneid by C. Pharr (Bolchazy-Carducci), available at the University bookstore.

Welcome to everybody. I expect all of you to be familiar with Wheelock's Latin and ready to pick up some real Latin. Everyone should come to class prepared that is ready to translate and to discuss the assignment. While preparing feel free to use intelligently whatever tool is available (translations, dictionaries, commentaries, web-sites, etc.). In class you can use your notes but remember that you will not be able to use them during exams. During our regular time together I will be happy to go over passages that you found hard or to discuss lines that you thought were particularly interesting. We are reading a masterpieces of all time literature and I will make sure that you become aware of it!! If you cannot translate what is scheduled please let me know it right away. ATTENDANCE AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION ARE A REQUIREMENT! Everything discussed or translated in class can appear on the exams.

Goals and Objectives of the course:

Students will develop facility in reading and understanding Latin Literature. In particular, students who complete the course will acquire or develop more fully the following:

- Knowledge of Vergil's literary and historical backgrond

- An appreciation of the Aeneid in the tradition of classical epic

- An understanding of the Aeneid's influence upon Western Civilization

- The ability to ranslate and interpret this text

I will have books on reserve and sometimes I will suggest readings that everyone must read and that we will discuss in class. They are necessary for the understanding of the text. If you miss a class, please contact me for homework!

Some themes to be discussed in class are:

1. The Tradition of Aeneas as a liar

2. The pessimistic ending of the Aeneid

3. The Augustan Age

4. Dido as a hero

5. Gender in the Aeneid

6. Uses and abuses of translation

Fourth year students:

They will be responsible for book VI. It is possible that we will not be able to cover what has been programmed (after all we are a very heterogeneous group !). Anyway by the time of the final, fourth year student must have read the scheduled sections of book VI (see them below). I will happy to correct their translations at home since there will be no time during class.

GRADES:

3 Exams of increasing difficulty (the last exam will test your general knowledge of the Aeneid) 40%

1 oral report on a book of the Aeneid. The report must also have a typed written version to be turned in by the end of the semester 30%

Class participation 30%

Read on Reserve:

A. Keith, Engendering Epic, Oxford 2000.

Perkell, C. (ed.), Reading Vergil's Aeneid. An Interpretative Guide, 1999.

General Studies on the Aeneid:

Horsfall, N. A Companion to the Study of Virgil, Leiden and NY, 1995

Martindale, C. (ed.) The Cambridge Companion to Virgil, Cambridge, 1997

Gillis, D. Eros and Death in the Aeneid, Rome 1983

Putnam, M.C. Virgill's Aeneid: Interpretation and Influence, Chapel Hill, 1995

Quinn, K. Virgil's Aeneid. A Critical Description, Ann Harbor 1968

For an updated bibliography for the year 1999-2000, see Vergilius 2000

SCHEDULE & ASSIGNEMENTS

~Last week of August

Getting started. Solution of logistic problems. Getting to know each other.

~I week of September

Introduction on Virgil and the Augustan Period. Lines to translate:

I.1-54 Prologue and the wrath of Juno

READ ON RESERVE:

-The Heroic Impulse in Quinn, K. Virgil's Aeneid. A Critical Description. 1968

-Five Hundred Years of Rendering the Aeneid in English by W. Anderson in Perkell, C. (ed.), Reading Vergil's Aeneid. An Interpretative Guide, 1999.

~II week of September

I.194-299 Dinner; Venus talks to Zeus; the future of the Trojans

I.305-392 and 402-414 Venus in disguise talks to Aeneas; the story of Dido; the revelation

~III week of September

ORAL REPORT (30 minutes) on BOOK 1

I Exam

~IV week of September

I.418-508 Carthage; the temple of Juno; Dido

I.522-574 Ilioneus talks to Dido; the quinn's offer

~I week of October

I.637-690 The banquet; gifts for the quinn; Cytherea and Cupid

I.748-756 (end) Dido incites Aeneas to speak about his past

Book II.1-56 The trick of the horse

~II week of October

II.199-249 Laocoon

II.268-355 Hector; Aeneas wants to die in Troy

~III week of October

ORAL REPORT (30 minutes) on BOOK II

II.503-620 Death of Polites and Priam; Helen; Venus talks to Aeneas and prompts him to escape

~IV week of October

II EXAM

II.699-805 (end) Creusa

IV.1-89 Dido and Anna; Dido in love

~V week of October

ORAL REPORT ON BOOK IV

IV.129-295 The cave; "Fama"; Aeneas scolded

~I week of November

IV.296-583 Troubles

IV.584-705 (end) Dido's suicide

~II week of November

VI.1-101 Cuma and Daedalus; The Sybil

VI.124-211 Misenus the golden bough

~III week of November, Thanks Giving: CLASS IS CANCELLED

~IV week of November

ORAL REPORT ON BOOK VI

VI.262-371 In the Underworld; Charon; Palinurus

~I week of December

ORAL REPORT ON BOOK XII

VI.434-476 Dido

VI.595-627 Tityon; Lapiths; other punishments

~REMAINING ASSIGNEMENT FOR FOURTH YEAR STUDENTS~

VI.636-660 The fields of the blessed

VI.684-716 Anchises

VI.756-796 Origins

VI.847-901 Roman History

FINAL EXAM

Revised Syllabus

September 29:

I.1-54, 194-299, 305-392, 402-414

October 5

I.418-508; I.522-574

October 12

I.637-690; I.748-756(end)

Jay reports on book II

October 19

20 minutes exam ;

IV.1-89

IV.129-159

October 26

IV.159-295

November 2

IV.296-400

November 9

Report on Aeneid book IV

IV.400-584

November 16

20 minutes test;

IV.584-684

November 23

IV.684-705(end).