CL2DR-Ancient Drama

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Prof Barbara Goff
Email: b.e.goff@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module examines the ancient genre of drama, with respect to its content, themes and style, and the context of performance culture which surrounded it.

Aims:
- To offer a broad discussion of the context and significance of drama in ancient societies.
- To provide detailed interpretations of selected dramas, and relate those interpretations to the wider literary tradition, and to the social and cultural context in which the plays were first performed.
- To gain an understanding of key trends in past scholarship on the subject.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module, students are expected to:
- relate the interpretation of specific plays to the original context of composition and performance;
- complement the evidence and arguments presented in the lectures and seminars with additional information assembled by their own research;
- analyse in detail selected passages in written commentaries;
- articulate their arguments effectively and illustrate them with relevant evidence.
- recognise and criticise key arguments made in recent scholarship.

Additional outcomes:

The module develops students’ skills in oral communication and team-work, through discussions and presentations in seminars. It also encourages critical thinking in the assessment of ancient and modern texts, and the logical and persuasive construction of arguments. It provides training in key research skills such as using web databases to locate ancient evidence and modern scholarly works.ÌýStudents will also develop skills related to examinations.

Outline content:
Topics covered in this module may include the ritual and political context of ancient drama, the relationship between drama and the epic and lyric tradition, and the use of Greek models by writers of Latin tragedy. Ancient dramas to be discussed may be drawn from the works of such authors as Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Seneca, Plautus and Terence.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will be taught by lectures and seminars with at least two contact hours per week.