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| Unit name |
Greek Tragedy and Cinema |
| Unit code |
CLASM0021 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
M/7
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Michelakis |
| 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
This unit explores screen adaptations of Greek tragedy, and more specifically adaptations of Oedipus the King (Pier Paolo Pasolini and Woody Allen), Medea (Jules Dassin and Lars von Trier) and Electra (Michael Cacoyannis and Miklos Jancso). The techniques of adapting a narrative for the screen will be investigated, as well as the context of cultural history, national ideas, political circumstance and social conventions. Particular emphasis will be given to the principles of film adaptation, the generic affinities between stage and screen, and the ideological and aesthetic preoccupations which have informed cinematic appropriations of Greek tragedy and which account for the cinematic appeal of Greek tragedy to modern audiences.
This unit aims:
- to familiarise students with techniques of adapting a narrative for the screen;
- to develop skills in understanding the context of cultural history, national ideas, political circumstance and social conventions influencing cinema;
- to enable students to use the knowledge acquired in seminars and through independent research to construct coherent, relevant and critical arguments concerning the interpretative issues raised by the principles of film adaptation, the generic affinities between stage and screen, and the ideological and aesthetic preoccupations which have informed cinematic appropriations of Greek tragedy;
- to develop student skills in oral and written communication, and in independent research.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit students will have developed:
- an expert knowledge of techniques of adapting a narrative for the screen; #a deep understanding of the context of cultural history, national ideas, political circumstance and social conventions influencing cinematic receptions of Greek tragedy; and
- the expert knowledge to construct coherent, relevant and critical arguments concerning the interpretative issues raised by the principles of film adaptation, the generic affinities between stage and screen, and the ideological and aesthetic preoccupations which have informed cinematic appropriations of Greek tragedy.
Teaching Information
1 x 2-hour seminar per week.
Assessment Information
One summative coursework essay of 4000 words (100%) assessing skills in ILOs (1) (2) (3).
Reading and References
Reading List:
- Easterling, P. E. (ed.) (1996), The Cambridge Companion to Greek Tragedy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- Hall, E., F. Macintosh & A. Wrigley (eds.) (2004), Dionysus Since 69: Greek Tragedy at the Dawn of the Third Millennium, Oxford: Oxford University Press
- Leitch, T. (2007) Film Adaptation and its Discontents: From Gone with the Wind to The Passion of the Christ, Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press
- MacKinnon, K. (1986) Greek Tragedy into Film, London: Croom Helm
- Naremore, J. (2000) Film Adaptation, London: Athlone Press
- Stam, R. & A. Raengo (eds.) (2005) Literature and Film: A Guide to the Theory and Practice of Film Adaptation, Oxford: Blackwell
- Winkler, M. M. (ed.) (2001) Classical Myth and Culture in the Cinema, Oxford: Oxford University Press
