| Unit name | Receptions of Greek Tragedy |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CLAS30018 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Zajko |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Classics & Ancient History |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit will take as its focus some of the most influential ancient Greek plays and moments in their reception history in the 20th Century. It will explore the broad question of how the modern world has appropriated Greek drama to make sense of its own identity. It will study a selection of theoretical, theatrical and cinematic texts which raise important issues about the possibility of cultural translation and the politicisation of the classical past.
Aims:
To engage with canonical Greek plays and with important moments in their modern history
To gain understanding of and ability to analyse different ways of thinking about the significance of tragedy and the tragic in modernity
To develop critical interaction with primary and secondary materials
To develop written presentation skills through the course assessment
On successful completion of this unit students will:
(1)be familiar with the differing ways in which tragedy has been configured in the texts studied, and the uses to which these have been put
(2)have developed an appropriate level of skills in reading and interpreting different kinds of texts in relation to issues of reception and translation
(3)be able 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 texts studied
In addition students will
(4)have had the opportunity to develop their skills in written communication appropriate to level H.
1 x 2 hour seminar and 1 x 1 hour seminar per week
One summative coursework essay of 3000 words (50%) and one unseen examination of 2 hours (50%). Both elements will assess ILOs (1) (2) (3). The coursework essay in particular will offer students the opportunity to demonstrate ILO (4).
R. Bowlby (2007) Freudian Mythologies: Greek Tragedy and Modern Identities, Oxford University Press
P. Easterling (ed.) (1996) The Cambridge Companion to Greek Tragedy, Cambridge University Press
R. Felski (ed.) (2008) Rethinking Tragedy, John Hopkins University Press
E. Hall et al. (eds.) (2004) Dionysus Since 69: Greek Tragedy at the Dawn of the Third Millennium, Oxford University Press
E. Hall & S. Harrop (eds.) (2010) Theorizing Performance: Greek Drama, Cultural History, and Critical Practice, Duckworth
A. Poole (2005) Tragedy: a Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press
