Course Catalogue

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This course provides the opportunity to study a number of Greek tragedies in the original language, paying close attention to formal, linguistic, literary, dramaturgical and historical issues.

This is a PG (T) course, taught over one semester. Teaching will be by weekly seminar if enrolment is five or more, or by weekly supervision and guided reading if enrolment is fewer than five

Available to students who have Greek to Honours level or equivalent, or at the discretion of the MLitt (T) convener

Greek Tragedy JXNS

One 3000 word essay (50%) and one 1.5 hour examination (50%)

This course will provide the opportunity to
* study a selection of Greek Tragedy from the three canonical tragedians
* study a range of theories of poetry, literature and culture in the Western tradition
* engage in the interpretation of texts through different critical strategies
* explore the scope and limitations of theory in literary criticism
* develop a distinctive and personal critical position in relation to Greek Tragedy

By the end of the course you should be able to:
* identify the formal characteristics of Greek Tragedy
* relate the texts to their social, political and cultural contexts
* recognise the principal themes in the set texts
* explain the theoretical foundations of modern critical approaches
* assess your own critical approach to Greek texts
* use critical techniques derived from different theoretical traditions, ancient and modern
* evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of interpretations derived from different theoretical approaches
* demonstrate such essay, seminar and exam skills as the department has stipulated in the Classics Handbook

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