| Unit name | Sappho: Poetry and Society in Ancient Greece |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CLAS30052 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Patrick Finglass |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of Classics & Ancient History |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
Sappho is probably the best-known author from ancient Greece in our own times. She is well known for quality of her poetry, and for being the first known woman writer of Greco-Roman antiquity; indeed, she is perhaps the best-known woman writer of all time. From Sappho of Lesbos we derive the word ‘lesbian’; the prominence of same-sex love between women in her poetry makes her an especially significant cultural figure. Studying Sappho will allow you both to analyse her poetry closely and see what makes it unique; and to gain increased understanding of the ancient society in which she lived, with particular reference to the place of women. You will also learn how to sift the sources that we have for Sappho – the fragments of her poetry, preserved in fragmentary papyri or as quotations in other authors; the ancient accounts of Sappho’s life; and ancient artistic depictions of Sappho.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
The unit fits into programmes of study for all degree courses in the Department of Classics and Ancient History. It rewards skills in both historical contextualisation (e.g. in dealing with complex and fragmented material from an ancient society) and literary analysis, while offering you the chance to really get in-depth with a specific and important corpus over the course of a whole teaching block. Given the research strengths that Bristol has in Sappho, you will be able to engage with research-led teaching reflecting up-to-the minute approaches within the discipline.
An overview of content
The sources analysed in this unit comprise the poetry of Sappho; other archaic poetry through which Sappho’s can be contextualised; and ancient accounts and depictions (including in visual art) of Sappho. In the unit we will make use of these sources to examine what is distinctive about Sappho’s poetry (including how it was appreciated and understood in antiquity), and how it can help us to understand ancient Greek society.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
As a result of the unit, you will know more about Sappho, about ancient Greek poetry and society, and about how ancient poetry can illuminate ancient society; you will think more critically about how to use sources, particularly ones that are fragmentary, but also including visual material; and you will be able to construct an argument on the basis of disparate and incomplete pieces of evidence.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
Classes will involve lectures from the tutor accompanied by discussion both in the class as a whole and in small groups. You will be expected to engage with readings and participate in all classes on a weekly basis. Drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with the tutor will also be available throughout the term.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
3,500 word essay (100%) [ILOs 1-4].
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CLAS30052).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
