Greek Drama: Passions and Politics on the Athenian and Modern Stage
CCIV 202
Spring 2017 not offered
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| Crosslisting:
THEA 202 |
This course will introduce students to Greek drama as produced in its original setting and adapted in modern times. Most of our readings will be drawn from classical material: tragedies by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and comedies by Aristophanes along with selections from Aristotle's POETICS and Plato's REPUBLIC. We will consider issues such as, How does theater as an artistic medium reflect the personal, social, religious, and political life of the Athenians? Is there a connection between the development of Greek drama and the growth of the first democracy? What are the emotions of tragedy for the characters and for the audience, and why have we been talking about catharsis for centuries? What is the relationship among the emotions, politics, and justice? We will finish the course by turning to adaptations of Greek tragedy in the 20th and 21st centuries. These will include works by Jean-Paul Sartre, Bertolt Brecht, and Yael Farber, through which we will examine how the emotions and dilemmas of tragedy are replayed and revised in response to World War II and the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA CLAS |
| Course Format: Lecture | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (CLST-History, P)(CLST-Literature)(CSCT)(THEA) |
Major Readings:
Plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes.
Selections from Plato's REPUBLIC and Aristotle's POETICS.
Plays by J-P. Sartre, B. Brecht, Y. Farber, Sarah Kane
Selections from Brecht's SHORT ORGANUM FOR THE THEATER and Sartre's writings on existentialism and the emotions.
Readings of background material on the class website may also be required.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Students will be responsible for the readings mentioned above (about two or three plays a week or the equivalent & secondary readings).
Two in-class exams, one final in-class exam or a final project (e.g. adaptation or production of a play) at the instructor's discretion, and occasional short reading responses. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office. |
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