Magic in ancient Greece and Rome ADED11505

  • Academic Session: 2025-26
  • School: Short Courses
  • Credits: 0
  • Level: Level 1 (SCQF level 7)
  • Typically Offered: Summer
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course places Greco-Roman magic practice in its social and historical contexts, considering its relationship to religion, its social and psychological dimensions, and the similarities and differences between magic practices and their representations in literature, most prominently the figure of the witch.

Timetable

Block 3

2 hours a week for 5 weeks (weeks 6-10)

Thursday, 18.00-20.00

Requirements of Entry

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

None

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? No

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

This course will provide students with an opportunity to:

■ position ancient Greek and Roman magic in its social and historical contexts

■ explore a range of sources for magic in the Greek and Roman worlds

■ acquire an understanding of the social and historical factors influencing literary representations of magic 

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to: 

■ to critically evaluate sources for magic in Classical antiquity

■ to demonstrate understanding of the social roles of magic in Classical antiquity

■ to comment critically on literary representations of magic rituals and their practitioners

 

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.