Unit information: Greek Religion in 2012/13

Unit name	Greek Religion
Unit code	CLAS37010
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Buxton
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None,
Co-requisites	None.
School/department	Department of Classics & Ancient History
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

Religion, which could be defined as the belief in and worship of superhuman powers, is one of the most complex and intriguing aspects of the ancient Greek world. This unit provides an opportunity for students to investigate religious cults and beliefs attested in Greece from the Archaic and Classical periods (roughly 800-400 BC), by means of a thematic approach. Topics examined will include: interpretative approaches to religion in the Greek world; sources for the study of Greek religion, including texts, iconography, epigraphy and archaeology; cult places; festivals; ritual performances; myths.

The aims of this unit are to:

• enable students to acquire detailed knowledge and understanding of a variety of interpretative approaches to religion in the ancient Greek world; the main sources for the study of Greek religion (800-400 BC); the physical contexts of religion (main types of cult places in Greece); some relevant ancient texts and visual images; and aspects of ritual (sacrifices, votive offerings, etc.)

• develop and refine skills in constructing coherent, relevant and sophisticated critical arguments, and in relating readings of texts and images to wider theoretical issues

• develop and enhance skills in oral and written communication.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students should have:

• developed knowledge and understanding of a variety of interpretative approaches to religion in the ancient Greek world; the main sources for the study of Greek religion (800-400 BC); the physical contexts of religion (main types of cult places in Greece); some relevant ancient texts and visual images; and aspects of ritual (sacrifices, votive offerings, etc.)

• developed and refined their skills in constructing coherent, relevant and sophisticated critical arguments, and in relating their readings of texts and images to wider theoretical issues

• developed and enhanced their skills in oral and written communication by contributing to discussion in seminars and producing an essay and a written examination.

Teaching Information

Seminars.

Assessment Information

One essay of 3,000 words (50%) and one examination of 90 minutes (50%).

Reading and References

J.N. Bremmer, Greek Religion (Oxford 1994; revised with Addenda 1999).

J.N. Bremmer and A. Erskine (eds.), The Gods of Ancient Greece (Edinburgh 2010).

L. Bruit Zaidman and P. Schmitt Pantel, Religion in the Ancient Greek City (Cambridge 1992).

W. Burkert, Greek Religion: Archaic and Classical (Oxford 1985).

R. Buxton, Imaginary Greece (Cambridge 1994).

S. Price, Religions of the Ancient Greeks (Cambridge 1999).