Research Project 2: Polyphonic Poems. Receptions of Classical Antiquity in Modern Poetry

Course

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/L_OAMAOHS021

Course Objective

The Research Projects are intended to familiarize students with various aspects of collaborative academic research and the translation of the results to a wider audience. Participation in the Research Projects enables students to specialize in their chosen field and to develop a professional attitude. Students who have followed this course will: – be able to formulate a joint research strategy for a clearly defined problem in the fields of classics and ancient studies; – be aware of the current theoretical and professional trends and developments in their field of specialization; – be able to communicate the results of academic research to wider audiences;

Course Content

This Research Project focusses on two strongly related topics. – The first one is the reception of Classical Antiquity in selected 20th-21st century authors of Dutch, English and American poetry, classicists as well as non-classicists. Some of the Dutch poets students may choose to work on are renowned writers such as Hester Knibbe, Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer, Cees Nooteboom and Ida Gerhardt. Some acclaimed English/American poets students might study are Josephine Balmer, Caroll Ann Duffy and Louise Glück (Nobel Prize in Literature 2020). Students could, for instance, compare and contrast how various modern poets have adapted a single classical text (e.g. Ovid’s Tristia), author (for instance Vergil), or theme (such as the myth of Demeter and Persephone). Or they could compare and contrast the role which Classical Antiquity plays in the oeuvre of two poets. – The second research field consists of, up to now, unpublished prose texts from the literary legacy of poet-translator-classicist Ida Gerhardt. Mieke Koenen is preparing an annotated edition of these intriguing texts. Students who would like to participate in this editing project, could e.g. assist in annotating the texts, a substantial amount of which refers to ancient texts and motifs. During this course students will also enhance their close-reading skills in both classical and modern poetry.

Teaching Methods

Within the project, the students will cooperate in a research team. Through discussions and presentations in group sessions, students can give each other process feedback, while specialized task feedback is provided by the coaching staff member. Attendance is compulsory.

Method of Assessment

– Formative assessment in the project will be done primarily during the joint group sessions in which students engage in discussion and present parts of the research. – Final assessment will be based on the final products of the course (50%)*, on the process leading towards the product (50%).This project lends itself very much to a variety of ‘valorisation’. purposes, such as lectures for a broader audience, creative translations, papers in literary journals.

Literature

To be announced in Canvas.

Target Audience

This course is part of the MA Classics and Ancient Civilizations. The course is also open for students of the RMA Classics and Ancient Civilizations and the Educational Master Classics.

Additional Information

N.B. When the text in the study guide is different from that of the course manual, the course manual is valid.

Explanation Canvas

The course literature will be announced in and made partly available in Canvas.
Academic year1/09/2431/08/25
Course level6.00 EC

Language of Tuition

  • English

Study type

  • Master