CL1004 Myth and Community in Ancient Greek Literature and Culture

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 7

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

12.00 noon

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module explores some of the most dynamic literary and artistic achievements of archaic and classical Greek culture (8th to 4th century BCE). Using a twin focus on myth and on ideas of community, the module ranges across Homeric epic, Athenian tragedy, Aristophanic comedy, and the philosophical writings of Plato, looking at a series of authors whose work has had a powerful influence over the later literary tradition right into the 20th century. We look among other things at the relationship between texts and images in the expression of cultural values; and we examine a series of major themes in Greek views of identity, morality, politics and religion. The module is meant both for students who intend to take Honours Classical Studies and for those who want a fascinating introduction to the poetry and art of the ancient Greek world. It is intended to be complemented by CL1005.

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

32 lectures and 6 tutorials across the semester.

Scheduled learning hours

38

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

162

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Identify and describe the characteristic features of the set texts / material culture of Archaic and Classical Greece
  • Describe and analyse the content, genre, narrative technique and style of the set texts; describe and analyse the technique, iconography, style, techniques of a range of material evidence of Archaic and Classical Greece
  • Analyse the interaction of these texts / material culture with their social, cultural, intellectual and historical context
  • Demonstrate the ability to relate literature and material culture of Archaic and Classical Greece
  • Analyse, critically evaluate and discuss relevant scholarship
  • Devise coherent and well-reasoned arguments both in oral and written form on the primary evidence and scholarship