Latin Set Book
Classes
Wednesday 13 January - Wednesday 24 March 2027, 6pm-9pm
10 sessions - Check class timetable
Overview
Apuleius (c. 124 – after 170 CE) is a Latin prose author of marvellous ingenuity. His highly entertaining work plays with familiar elements of earlier Latin and Greek literature and offers suggestive insights into Roman imperial culture in the second century CE. Born in the Roman province of Numidia, he may have spoken Punic as his first language. He was educated in philosophy (particularly the work of Plato) in Athens and celebrated as an orator.
In this Latin Set Book short course we shall read selections from Apuleius’ Metamorphoses (including all of Book 1), as well as sampling the speech he gave in his own defence when on trial for seducing a rich widow through the use of magic arts (his Apology). The Metamorphoses, also known as The Golden Ass, centres around the figure of the narrator Lucius who is turned into an ass in Book 3 and goes on to have a series of improbable adventures, culminating in an experience of divine revelation. His experiences also serve as a frame for a large number of inset stories (including that of Cupid and Psyche, the longest inset narrative). Apuleius is admired for his idiosyncratic and elaborate prose style, as well as his beguiling story-telling.
The classes and coursework involve close analysis of the text from a linguistic, literary, historical and cultural point of view. You will be expected to prepare portions of the text in advance and then discuss the major issues emerging in class. The course will enable you to:
- become experienced in reading Apuleius’ prose and become acquainted with his distinctive idiom
- understand and explore composition, character creation, narratological devices, historical background, gender, intertextuality
- place Apuleius’ writing in the context of larger literary, cultural and historical developments.
Teaching on this course is stimulating, with plenty of student participation and interpretation. We will translate portions of the texts together, as well as discussing language, context and composition.
As a student on this course, you will study alongside Birkbeck students enrolled on one of our undergraduate or postgraduate courses, giving you the opportunity to network with a range of Birkbeck current students whilst you learn.
The course will be taught by Professor Catharine Edwards, who is also the contact for queries about entry requirements.
This course is non-credit bearing, so carries no credit points.
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Entry requirements
Entry requirements
This short course is suitable for anyone interested in studying Latin but not seeking formal qualifications in the language. It involves close study of a Classical Latin text in the original, so it requires substantial prior experience in Latin, but we are flexible with precise qualifications and experience. Please contact Professor Catharine Edwards for further details.
As part of the enrolment process, you may be required to submit a copy of a suitable form of ID.
International students who wish to come to the UK to study a short course can apply for a Visitor visa. Please note that it is not possible to obtain a Student visa to study a short course.
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How to apply
How to apply
You register directly onto the classes you would like to take. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis - so apply early. If you wish to take more than one short course, you can select each one separately and then register onto them together via our online application portal. There is usually no formal selection process, although some modules may have prerequisites and/or other requirements, which will be specified where relevant.