Unit information: Configurations of Gender in 2014/15

Unit name	Configurations of Gender
Unit code	CLASM1004
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Liveley
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

Are contemporary notions of gender and sexuality the same as those in the ancient world? Is sex a universal signifier? Can the pornographic be said to have existed in ancient Greece and Rome? The aim of this unit is to explore different constructions and configurations of gender in a broad range of ancient texts, highlighting in particular the role of literature in constructing and questioning identity and sexuality. In addition to the set texts to be read in translation students will be required to engage with a broad variety of both ancient and contemporary perspectives on gender and sexuality.

The aims of this unit are:

• to develop an awareness of the key issues in studies of gender and sexuality in ancient Greece and Rome.

• to familiarise students with a variety of contemporary theories of gender and sexuality and to enable them to evaluate specific ancient sources with reference to these theories.

• 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 issues of gender and sexuality in the sources studied.

• to develop skills in oral and written communication, and in independent research.

• to broaden and/or fill-in the range of ancient texts and topics with which MA students are familiar.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students should:

• have developed an awareness of the key issues in studies of gender and sexuality in ancient Greece and Rome.

• be familiar with a variety of contemporary theories of gender and sexuality and be able to evaluate ancient and modern sources with reference to these.

• be able to construct coherent, relevant and critical arguments concerning the interpretative issues raised by the study of gender and sexuality in the ancient world.

• have had the opportunity to develop their skills in oral and written communication, in making seminar presentations, taking part in seminar discussions, and in assessed essays.

Teaching Information

Seminars

Assessment Information

• Summative assessment: 1 essay of 5,000 words (100%)

• Formative assessment: written feedback on a presentation; comments on plans and draft bibliographies for summative essay.

Reading and References

• Marguerite Johnson, Terry Ryan (eds.) (2004) Sexuality in Greek and Roman Literature and Society: A Sourcebook

• Laura K. McClure (ed.) (2002) Sexuality and Gender in the Classical World: Readings and Documents (Interpreting Ancient History)

• S. Goldhill (1995) Foucaults virginity

• D. Halperin, J. Winkler, & F. Zeitlin (eds.) (1990) Before sexuality: The construction of ancient erotic experience

• T. Laqueur (1990) Making sex: body and gender from the Greeks to Freud

• Richlin (ed.) (1992) Pornography and representation in Greece and Rome