Unit name | Receptions of Greek Tragedy |
---|---|
Unit code | CLASM0052 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
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 |
Description (100-150 words): 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 should:
(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
(4)show a high level of skills in critical thinking and in written and oral communication.
In addition (specific to level M) students will also be expected to:
(5)show ability to apply existing analytical strategies to new evidence
(6)display high level skills in evaluating, analysing, synthesising and (where apt) critiquing images and ideas
(7)apply existing analytical strategies to new evidence with flexibility and creativity
(8)demonstrate the capacity for independent research
2 hours per week (seminar)
One summative essay of 5000 words (100%). Measures ILOs 1-7
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