This module is inactive in the selected year. The information shown below is for the academic year that the module was last running in, prior to the year selected.

2014/15 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CLAS3790 Greek Tragedy

20 creditsClass Size: 55

Module manager: Prof. Malcolm Heath
Email: m.f.heath@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2014/15

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module is suitable for Level 2 or 3 students with some basic knowledge of Classical literature. It encourages detailed study of four major Greek tragedies (Sophocles' Ajax and Women of Trachis and Euripides' Hecabe and Heracles) . The module aims to promote understanding of the nature of Greek tragedy as a literary genre, and of the dramatic technique and thought of two major tragedians; to locate fifth-century tragedy in its cultural context; and to acquaint students with a variety of contemporary approaches to Greek tragedy. The plays will be read in English translation. The prescribed translations are: Sophocles: Electra and Other Plays, tr. D. Raeburn (Penguin 2008); Euripides: Medea and Other Plays, tr. P. Vellacott (Penguin 1973). The module is worth 20 credits and runs over semester 1 and 2. For further information contact the Department of Classics, situated on the first floor of the Parkinson Building, south end (email: classics@leeds.ac.uk; website: www.leeds.ac.uk/classics/; telephone: 0113 343 3537).

Objectives

On successful completion of this module, students should have acquired an understanding and appreciation of Greek tragedy through detailed study of selected plays. In particular, they should be able to provide an informed analysis of the nature of Greek tragedy as a literary genre, and of the dramatic technique and thought of two major tragedians; they should be able to relate fifth-century tragedy to its cultural context; they should be familiar with a variety of contemporary approaches to the study of Greek tragedy; and they should be able to provide explanatory comment on passages from the selected plays.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have a detailed knowledge of the four prescribed plays; an understanding of the nature of Greek tragedy as a literary genre, and of the dramatic technique and thought of two major tragedians; they should be able to relate fifth-century tragedy to its cultural context; and they should be familiar with a variety of contemporary approaches to the study of Greek tragedy.

Skills outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to provide informed textual commentary on passages from the prescribed Greek tragedies, and discuss key aspects of the literary, dramatic and cultural aspects of the texts in discursive form.

Syllabus

This module will study four tragedies Sophocles (Women of Trachis, Ajax) and Euripides (Heracles, Hecabe) in English translation. The introductory lectures will highlight important themes and issues in the four plays; outline their transmission and reception; and discuss some of the problems of interpretation posed by texts composed in a culture different from our own by authors about whom we have very little reliable independent evidence.

In the subsequent lectures and seminars the plays themselves will be studied with a view to: performance and staging; dramatic technique and structure; innovations in the stories dramatised; religious and ethical issues.

The prescribed translations are: Sophocles: Electra and Other Plays, tr. D. Raeburn (Penguin 2008); Euripides: Medea and Other Plays, tr. P. Vellacott (Penguin 1973).

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Seminar	2	1.00	2.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Reading primary texts: 4 x 20 hours
Lecture preparation: 20 x 1 hours
Seminar preparation: 2 x 4 hours
Essay: 50 hours
Exam preparation: 20 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Seminar participation.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	Not more than 2000 words	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

Must be at same time as CLAS3791

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 27/01/2015

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD