Unit information: Comedy in 2014/15

Unit name	Comedy
Unit code	CLAS22370
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
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

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.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful students will have:

• have developed a detailed knowledge and in-depth understanding of comedy in the ancient world; its uses and contexts and an awareness of how these change over time.
• be able to analyse critically the comedic texts of the ancient world and how they functioned in antiquity both as subversive political critique and conservative social commentary.
• Be able to use the knowledge acquired in lectures and through their own researches to construct coherent, relevant and persuasive arguments on different aspects of the subject.
• Have had an opportunity to further develop their skills in written communication.

In addition students will have

• developed analytical skills suitable for level I as demonstrated in their formal assessments and in their participation in class discussions.

Teaching Information

2 weekly lectures including discussion

Assessment Information

One course work essay of c. 2,500 words 50 marks; one written examination (one and a half hours). Both elements will assess ILOs (1) (2) (3) and (4). The coursework essay in particular will offer students the opportunity to demonstrate ILO (3).

Reading and References

• Aristophanes, Wasps, The Poet and the Women
• Plautus, The Pot of Gold, Pseudolus
• Terence,The Mother-in-law
• M.S. Silk, Aristophanes and the definition of comedy
• C. Segal, Roman Laughter
• N. Lowe, Comedy