Euripides, Seneca, and Mythmaking

Subject ANCW40001 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

4 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.

Pre-teaching Period Start	not applicable
Teaching Period	not applicable
Assessment Period End	not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol	not applicable
Census Date	not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail	not applicable

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.

Time Commitment:

Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: 10 hours per week: total time commitment 120 hours

Prerequisites:

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in classics or classical studies and archaeology.

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects:

None

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr James Chong-Gossard

Contact

Kim On Chong-Gossard

koc@unimelb.edu.au

x44078

Subject Overview:	Students will read, in English translation, selected plays by Euripides (the 5th century BCE Athenian playwright) and Seneca (the 1st century CE Roman writer and tutor of the Emperor Nero). The subject introduces students to methods of interpreting tragedy, in particular how Euripides and Seneca use Greek mythology to explore social issues relevant to their times. By invoking commonly known myths, reinterpreting them, and sometimes re-inventing them, the plays of Euripides and Seneca continue to resonate with modern audiences on issues of war and slavery, democracy and power, and especially ideologies of gender and the place of women in society. Students will be introduced to feminism, queer theory, structural linguistics, Jungian psychology, alterity, metatheatre, and theories of ancient drama in modern performance.
Objectives:	Students who successfully complete this subject should... Be familiar with the corpus of Euripidean drama in translation Appreciate the culture and social history of 5th century Athens through the lens of theatre and its social commentary Be able to explain modern theoretical approaches to the study of ancient theatre, both as texts and in performance Be able to conduct independent research using catalogued sources and bibliographic indexes Have developed their skills in verbal communication and oral presentation Have developed their ability to think creatively and express their ideas clearly in written communication
Assessment:	Two oral presentations 40% (during the semester), two class papers totalling 2500 words 30% (due during the semester), and a final essay of 2500 words 30% (due in the examination period).
Prescribed Texts:	A subject reader will be available. Medea (Seneca), F Ahl (trans)
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	students should: be able to explain modern theoretical approaches to the study of ancient theatre, both as texts and in performance. develop their ability to think creatively and to express their ideas clearly in written form and orally.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Ancient and Medieval Studies Ancient, Medieval && Early Modern Studies Classical Studies && Archaeology Classical Studies and Archaeology Classical Studies and Archaeology Classics Classics

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