Course Catalogue

Interpreting Greek Tragedy (Greek language version) GREEK4034

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Humanities
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course studies two Greek tragedies in the original language. One strand of the course looks at the language, metre, form and technique of these plays, and a second sets them in the wider context of Greek tragedy and explores critical approaches to this evolving genre. It encourages students to develop their own interpretative stance in dialogue with both theoretical perspectives and critical practice.

Timetable

7x1hr lectures, 17x1hr seminars over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus. This is one of the Honours options is Greek and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Requirements of Entry

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Classics, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

Excluded Courses

CLASSIC4025

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Exam (2-hour exam) - 60%

■ Essay (2000 words) - 40%

 

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

■ There are no alternatives to the assessments, but flexible deadlines/ extra time 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.  

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

This course aims to:

 

■ study two Greek tragedies in the original Greek, set against the broader tradition of fifth-century Greek tragedy

■ engage in the interpretation of texts using critical strategies drawn from different traditions, and both ancient and modern

■ develop a distinctive and personal critical position in relation to Greek Tragedy

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

 

• translate Greek tragedy accurately and fluently into English

• identify the formal characteristics of Greek tragedy as text and performance

• relate the texts to their social, cultural and political context

• evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of interpretations derived from different critical traditions

•reflect on their own critical stance in relation to Greek tragedy in the light of ancient and modern theories

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions