Unit information: Greek and Roman Drama in 2014/15

Unit name	Greek and Roman Drama
Unit code	CLAS22363
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Michelakis
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

This unit will examine a number of central dramatic texts from Greece and Rome; all texts will be studied in translation. The emphasis will be placed on understanding and appreciating the plays within the ancient contexts within which they were performed. In order to offer a thematic focus for this body of rich and diverse material, the unit will concentrate on a selection of dramas which retell mythological themes, and which in particular explore the relationship between gods and humans. Among the aims of the unit will be: to encourage students to consider notions of genre (tragedy and comedy), and to look at contextual differences between Greek and Roman theatre.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students will:

• have developed a detailed knowledge and in-depth understanding of

the key features and historical developments of Greek and Roman drama.

• have developed a good knowledge of the varied sources available for studying Greek and Roman drama and a good understanding of the best way to make use of these sources.
• be able to use the knowledge acquired in lectures and seminars through their own research to construct coherent, relevant and persuasive arguments on different aspects of the subject.
• have had an opportunity to further develop their skills through participation in seminar discussions, and in an essay and a written exam.

Teaching Information

1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour seminar per week

Assessment Information

1 x essay of c. 2,500 words (50%) and 1 x 90 minute exam (50%).

Reading and References

Background Reading

Easterling, P. E. (ed.), (1997) The Cambridge Companion to Greek Tragedy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Goldhill, S. (1986) Reading Greek Tragedy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Jones, J. (1980) On Aristotle and Greek Tragedy, Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press Dover, K. J. (1972) Aristophanic Comedy London: Batsford Silk, M. S. (2000) Aristophanes and the Definition of Comedy, Oxford: Oxford University Press Boyle, A. J. (2006) An Introduction to Roman Tragedy, London: Routledge Sharrock, A. (2009) Reading Roman Comedy: Poetics and Playfulness in Plautus and Terence, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Beacham, R. C. (1991) The Roman Theatre and its Audience, London: Routledge

Set Texts

Aeschylus’ Persians (tr. C. Collard, Oxford University Press, 2008) Sophocles’ Ajax (tr. A. Garvie, Aris & Phillips, 1998) Euripides’ Medea (J. Morwood, Oxford University Press, 1998) Aristophanes’ Women at the Thesmophoria (D. Barrett, Penguin, 2007) Menander’s Samia (M. Balme, Oxford University Press, 2001) Plautus’ Amphitryon (W. De Melo, LOEB, 2011) Terence’s Eunuch (P. Brown, Oxford University Press, 2006) Seneca’s Medea (E. Wilson, Oxford University Press 2010)