| Unit name | Greek and Roman Drama |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CLAS22363 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Lampe |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Classics & Ancient History |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Description
This unit will examine a number of central dramatic texts from Greece and Rome; all texts will be studied in translation. The emphasis will be placed on understanding and appreciating the plays in the ancient contexts within which they were performed. In order to offer a thematic focus for this body of rich and diverse material, the unit will concentrate on a selection of dramas which retell mythological themes, and which in particular explore the relationship between gods and humans. Individual weeks will be devoted to Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Menander, Seneca, Plautus, and Terence.
Aims:
1. To introduce students to the study of ancient drama, including the formal features of the texts and the circumstances of their original performance
2. To introduce students to notions of ancient genre and the contextual differences between Greek and Roman theatre
3. To provide an overview of key scholarly approaches to the study of ancient drama
4. To develop students' critical reading skills
5. To develop students' written presentation skills
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit students will:
1. have developed a detailed knowledge and in-depth understanding of the key features and historical developments of Greek and Roman drama.
2. have developed a good knowledge of the varied sources available for studying Greek and Roman drama and a good understanding of the best way to make use of these sources.
3. be able to use the knowledge acquired in lectures and seminars through their own research to construct coherent, relevant and persuasive arguments on different aspects of the subject.
4. have had an opportunity to further develop their skills through participation in seminar discussions, and in an essay and a written exam.
Teaching details
2 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour seminar per week
Assessment Details
1 x essay of c. 2,500 words (50%) and 1 x 90 minute exam (50%), both testing ILOs 1-4.
On successful completion of this unit students will:
2 hours of lectures and a one-hour seminar per week
1 x essay of 2,500 words (50%) and 1 x 90 minute exam (50%) both testing ILOs 1-4
Reading and References
Background Reading
1. Easterling, P. E. (ed.), (1997) The Cambridge Companion to Greek Tragedy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. Goldhill, S. (1986) Reading Greek Tragedy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
3. Jones, J. (1980) On Aristotle and Greek Tragedy, Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press
4. Dover, K. J. (1972) Aristophanic Comedy London: Batsford
5. Silk, M. S. (2000) Aristophanes and the Definition of Comedy, Oxford: Oxford University Press
6. Boyle, A. J. (2006) An Introduction to Roman Tragedy, London: Routledge
7. Sharrock, A. (2009) Reading Roman Comedy: Poetics and Playfulness in Plautus and Terence, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
8. Beacham, R. C. (1991) The Roman Theatre and its Audience, London: Routledge
Set Texts
1. Aeschylus' Persians (tr. C. Collard, Oxford University Press, 2008)
2. Sophocles' Ajax (tr. A. Garvie, Aris & Phillips, 1998)
3. Euripides' Medea (J. Morwood, Oxford University Press, 1998)
4. Aristophanes' Women at the Thesmophoria (D. Barrett, Penguin, 2007)
5. Menander's Samia (M. Balme, Oxford University Press, 2001)
6. Plautus' Amphitryon (W. De Melo, LOEB, 2011)
7. Terence's Eunuch (P. Brown, Oxford University Press, 2006)
8. Seneca's Medea (E. Wilson, Oxford University Press 2010)
