Desire and Disorder in the Erotic Text unit (HTC339)

Hobart, Online

Introduction

Taking 'erotic text' in a broad sense, this unit explores the many functions - but especially the malfunctions - of desire in ancient literature. We will read some of Ovid's Heroides, fictional verse-letters written by heroines of Greek myth to their unfaithful lovers; a selection of love poetry ranging from Sappho to Roman elegy, in which erotic desire is represented as physical distress, as madness and disease; and Longus' second-century novel, Daphnis and Chloe, an ironic and playful study of human maturation and sexuality. We will also look at Plato's influential writings on the philosophical uses of desire, and some responses of later writers.

Summary

Unit name	Desire and Disorder in the Erotic Text
Unit code	HTC339
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Humanities and Social Sciences
Discipline	History and Classics
Coordinator	Doctor Graeme Miles
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	21/2/2027	15/3/2027	18/4/2027	12/6/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Describe and explain the key features of different types of ancient Greek and Latin texts concerning love and desire and situate them in their historical contexts.
• Distinguish between primary and secondary sources of evidence for ancient life and thought, and explain how these sources are used in the study of ancient culture.
• Critically evaluate a range of primary sources for ancient Greek and Roman love and desire (e.g. literary and philosophical texts).
• Use primary and secondary sources to support an independent argument about the changes in ancient thinking about love, gender and sexuality.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Prerequisites

25 credit points at Introductory level or higher

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	On-Campus: Weekly recorded 30 min. lecture & 2-hour seminar  Online: Weekly recorded lectures (1.5 hours) and online activities
Assessment	Final Project (30%)|Weekly Reading Activities (30%)|Essay (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.