CLU22341 Greek Drama

This module provides an introduction to Classical Athenian drama. You will study a play by Euripides or Sophocles in Greek and other plays and relevant texts in translation. Module topics include the divine, fate and responsibility; the origins of drama; Aristotle’s analysis of tragedy in the Poetics; performance aspects; the function of drama in the context of religious festivals and the democratic city-state; drama as source of historical and cultural information.
- Module Organiser:
- Dr Martine Cuypers
- Duration:
- Semester 1
- Contact Hours:
- 22 (two reading classes per week)
- Weighting:
- 5 ECTS
- Assessment:
- 100% coursework (two written assignments)
- Course Open To:
- Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology; TJH Greek; Columbia Dual Degree; Visiting
CLU22343 Greek Drama with Project
This 10-ECTS version of the module includes a substantial element of independent research on a topic/text to be agreed with the module coordinator.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the successful completion of this module students should be able to:
- Analyse the language and style of the tragedy studied in Greek
- Translate and analyse the language of unseen Greek passages of similar difficulty as the tragedy studied in Greek
- Critically discuss the content, structure and major themes of the plays studied in translation
- Situate all studied plays in their historical and performance contexts and comment on the relevance of these contexts for their interpretation