Greek and Roman drama forms the foundation of the western dramatic tradition and continues to shock, provoke and amuse today. This course explores the range of classical theatrical production and affords the opportunity to develop critical and comparative strategies to these dramatic forms

Ten two-hour seminars

None

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ One assessed presentation 30%

■ 3,000 word essay 70%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ A recorded presentation as alternative to the presentation.

■ There is no alternative to the essay, but extensions to the deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course provides the opportunity to:

■ study a selection of ancient dramatic works, Greek or Roman, tragic or comic

■ situate ancient drama in its social and historical context

■ examine the generic developments of ancient drama

■ interpret drama through different critical strategies

■ develop a distinctive and personal critical position in relation to ancient drama

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

■ identify the formal and stylistic characteristics of ancient drama

■ recognise the principal themes in the set texts

■ relate the texts to their social, political and cultural contexts

■ compare different periods of comedy or tragedy

■ explain the theoretical foundations of critical approaches, ancient and modern

■ use and critique comparative strategies in approaching ancient drama

■ evaluate interpretations derived from different theoretical approaches