units

ATS2402

Faculty of Arts

Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Arts
Organisational UnitArchaeology and Ancient History
OfferedClayton Second semester 2014 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Dr Eva Anagnostou-Laoutides

Notes

Previously coded CLA2040

Synopsis

This unit explores the theatre of Classical Greece through a study of the surviving plays of the fifth century dramatists. Students will be introduced to the tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, and the comedies of Aristophanes. We will examine the social and religious function of theatre in Classical Athens, and study the nature and development of theatrical performance. We will also examine the architecture of the theatre through a study of archaeological remains and the internal evidence of the plays. Students will be introduced to a range of critical approaches to Greek drama. Texts will be studies in translation.

Outcomes

By the completion of this subject students will have read all of the prescribed selection of authentic texts in translation and selected secondary texts/readings provided. Students will have gained and be able to demonstrate:

  1. A knowledge of the historical and cultural background to the prescribed selection of authentic texts, and a context-based understanding of them.
  2. A general knowledge and understanding of the themes and issues that are generated in the plays studied.
  3. A detailed knowledge and understanding of the reception of Greek drama in 5th century Athens, both in a cultural, philosophical and pedagogical context.
  4. Knowledge of the literary qualities/character of the received (written) text and the way in which they shed light on the tradition of their performance.
  5. The ability to discriminate between evidence, interpretation, opinion and fact in secondary sources.
  6. The ability to develop their own interpretations and understanding of the primary texts.

Assessment

Written work: (4000 words): 85%
Class test: 15%

Chief examiner(s)

Workload requirements

2.5 hours (1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1.5 hour seminar) per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Prohibitions

AGS2040, ATS3402