Unit name | Comedy |
---|---|
Unit code | CLAS12370 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Professor. Liveley |
Open unit status | Open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Department of Classics & Ancient History |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Can we take the comedy of ancient Greece and Rome seriously? In this unit we will examine a range of comic and satiric discourse in the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome to discover how laughter functioned in antiquity both as subversive political critique and conservative social commentary. Theoretical readings on comic violence, carnival, and body humour will inform our seminar discussions and textual analyses on Homer, Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus, Terence, Horace, and Juvenal. Throughout the unit we will compare and contrast the classical tradition of comedy with modern comedic discourse including political satire, live comedy performance, TV sitcoms and cartoons. The course will include a field trip to see live ‘stand-up’ comedy performances.
Successful students will have:
2 weekly lectures including discussion
One summative coursework essay of 2,000 words (worth 50%), and a 90 minute examination (worth 50%). Both elements will assess ILOs (1) (2) (3) and (4). The coursework essay in particular will offer students the opportunity to demonstrate ILO (3) and (4).