Introductory description

This module considers the import of north Africa in the shaping of Western Classical Literature in the Mediterranean, and investigates the simultaneous erasure of Africa from the Western Classical canon - an erasure which originated in the ancient Greek and Roman texts and was further crystallised in their subsequent critical history. Over the course of the year, students will analyse and discuss both Greek and Roman portraits of Africa and Africans (with an emphasis on Berbers, Egyptians and Ethiopians) and the various ways that the relationship between centre and periphery affects the works of north-African authors writing in Greek and Latin. The course will also explore and discuss the history of the equation of the Classical world with modern (and colonialist) Europe, and the more recent attempts to 'decolonise' the Western Classics, together with the reactions to them (such as the famous 'Black Athena Debate' of the 80s). A final section of the module considers the effects that preconceptions and assumptions about the Graeco-Roman heritage have on the engagement with classical literature by people of African descent, both in Africa and in the Western World. We shall explore some critical positions of black classicism (such as Classica Africana) and investigate the reception of Greek and Roman literature in selected authors from the African diaspora.

In 2020-2021 the module is available as a Latin Language option.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This module considers the import of north Africa in the shaping of Western Classical Literature in the Mediterranean, and investigates the simultaneous erasure of Africa from the Western Classical canon – an erasure which originated in the ancient Greek and Roman texts and was further crystallised in their subsequent critical history. Over the course of the year, students will analyse and discuss both Greek and Roman representations of Africa and Africans (with an emphasis on Berbers, Egyptians and Ethiopians) and the various ways that the relationship between centre and periphery affects the works of north-African authors writing in Greek and Latin. The course will also explore and discuss the history of the equation of the Classical world with modern (and colonialist) Europe, and the more recent attempts to ‘decolonise’ the Western Classics, together with the reactions to them (such as the famous ‘Black Athena Debate’ of the 80s). A final section of the module considers the effects that preconceptions and assumptions about the Graeco-Roman heritage have on the engagement with classical literature by people of African descent, both in Africa and in the Western World. We shall explore some critical positions of black classicism (such as Classica Africana) and investigate the reception of Greek and Roman literature in selected African and black authors. Could be available as either a Latin-text or Greek-text option.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• A broad understanding of the role played by north Africa and north Africans in the making of Classical Literature;
• Ability to discuss issues of racism and ethnicity in antiquity;
• A broad understanding of the role played by literary texts in issues of identity formation;
• A broad understanding of the role played by both colonialist and post-colonialist discourses in our critical engagement with the Classical World;
• Developed their skills in close reading of texts (in the original for Q800/Q802/QQ36 students);
• Developed their Latin linguistic skills (for Q800/Q802/QQ36 students);
• Developed their skills in the critical analysis of both primary and secondary texts;
• Developed their ability to structure arguments coherently.

Indicative reading list

Generic Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module can be found on

Subject specific skills

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module students should expect to have:
• A broad understanding of the role played by north Africa and north Africans in the making of Classical Literature;
• Ability to discuss issues of racism and ethnicity in antiquity;
• A broad understanding of the role played by literary texts in issues of identity formation;
• A broad understanding of the role played by both colonialist and post-colonialist discourses in our critical engagement with the Classical World;
• Developed their skills in close reading of texts (in the original for Q800/Q802/QQ36 students);
• Developed their Latin linguistic skills (for Q800/Q802/QQ36 students);
• Developed their skills in the critical analysis of both primary and secondary texts;
• Developed their ability to structure arguments coherently.

Transferable skills

• critical thinking
• problem solving
• active lifelong learning
• communication
• information literacy
• ICT literacy
• citizenship
• ethical values
• intercultural learning and diversity awareness
• professionalism