CL2DR-Ancient Drama

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof David Carter
Email: d.m.carter@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module examines the ancient genre of drama, with respect to its content, themes and style, and the context of performance culture which surrounded it.

Aims:
- To offer a broad discussion of the context and significance of drama in ancient societies.
- To provide detailed interpretations of selected dramas, and relate those interpretations to the wider literary tradition, and to the social and cultural context in which the plays were first performed.
- To gain an understanding of key trends in past scholarship on the subject.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module, students are expected to:
- relate the interpretation of specific plays to the original context of composition and performance;
- complement the evidence and arguments presented in the lectures and seminars with additional information assembled by their own research;
- analyse in detail selected passages in written commentaries;
- articulate their arguments effectively and illustrate them with relevant evidence.
- recognise and criticisekey arguments made in recent scholarship.

Additional outcomes:

The module develops students’ skills in oral communication and team-work, through discussions and presentations in seminars. It also encourages critical thinking in the assessment of ancient and modern texts, and the logical and persuasive construction of arguments. It provides training in key research skills such as using web databases to locate ancient evidence and modern scholarly works. Students will also develop skills related to examinations.

Outline content:
Topics covered in this module may include the ritual and political context of ancient drama, the relationship between drama and the epic and lyric tradition, and the use of Greek models by writers of Latin tragedy. Ancient dramas to be discussed may be drawn from the works of such authors as Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Seneca, Plautus and Terence.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will be taught by lectures and seminars with at least two contact hours per week.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Seminars		6
Guided independent study:		174
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework Students are required to produce TWO pieces of assessed coursework for this module:

1. One annotated bibliography of at least five items (1,500 words), describing the main lines of argument of this item and discussing any relevant strengths or limitations. This is due by 12 noon on Friday of week 10 of the term in which the module is taught, and accounts for 33% of the module mark.


2. an essay of 2,500 words. This is due on Thursday of Week 3 of Summer term and accounts for 67% of the module mark.

Formative assessment methods:

Group discussions in seminars, and individual discussion of coursework, will provide formative assessment.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Coursework will be resubmitted in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 20 September 2023