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2009/10 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CLAS3980 Should We Ban Homer? Philosophers & Poetry in the Ancient World

20 creditsClass Size: 70

Module manager: Prof M F Heath
Email: M.F.Heath@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2009/10

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

Poetry and drama enjoyed high prestige in ancient culture, and had a powerful impact on audiences and readers. Ancient philosophers responded to this cultural phenomenon in many different ways. Plato argued that poetry was profoundly damaging, psychologically, ethically and politically, and in need of radical reform. By contrast, Aristotle regarded poetry as a natural human practice that had developed over time into its optimal forms. Later thinkers in the Platonist tradition looked ways to make poetry harmless (and even beneficial) without radical political reform, and tried to reconcile Plato and the poets. This module will study and assess a range of these responses to poetry, and will also consider their relationship to modern debates on related issues - political (e.g. censorship), scientific (e.g. the evolutionary psychology of literature) and educational (e.g. the psychological implications of the internet).

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should have acquired an understanding of a range of ancient philosophical responses to poetry and drama; have discussed and critically evaluates those responses, orally and in writing; and have considered the relevance of the ancient thinking on poetry to modern debates on related issues, political, scientific and educational.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be familiar with a range of ancient philosophical responses to poetry, including (as core instances): Plato's critique of poetry's psychological and political effects; Aristotle's conception of poetry as a natural human practice; Plutarch's discussion of poetry as an educational resource. They should have an understanding of these responses in their original cultural context, and should have considered their relationship to modern debates on related issues, political (e.g. censorship), scientific (e.g. the evolutionary psychology of literature) and educational (e.g. the psychological implications of the internet).

Skills outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to interpret and evaluate ancient philosophical views on poetry; to relate them to each other and to their respective cultural contexts; and to assess the relevance of the ancient debates to modern thinking on related topics.


Syllabus

Cultural background: why ancient philosophers thought that poetry and drama were important and potentially problematic. Why Plato thought that poetry was dangerous, and his political response to the threat. Why Aristotle's approach to poetry was fundamentally different from Plato's. How Plutarch proposed to turn the dangerous elements of poetry to educational advantage. How and why later Platonists attempted to reconcile Plato with poetry. Political, scientific and educational perspectives on literature and entertainment in modern discussion.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture151.0015.00
Seminar41.004.00
Private study hours181.00
Total Contact hours19.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Reading primary texts: 50 hours
Lecture preparation: 15x1 hours
Seminar preparation: 4x4 hours
Essay 1: 30 hours
Essay 2: 50 hours
Exam preparation: 20 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Seminar participation; semester 1 coursework.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
EssayMaximum 1,000 words.20.00
EssayMaximum 1,800 words.50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)70.00

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


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)2 hr 30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)30.00

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

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 12/05/2010

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