CLAS 250: Greek and Roman Tragedy and Comedy Dr.

Emily Fairey, Department of Classics MWF 1:10-2:05 BC 217 Contact: emily.fairey@gmail.com Office hours: by appointment Course description: This course will investigate the social, political and literary context of Classical drama, from its roots in ancient Greek religion, to the political theater of ancient Athens at its height, through types and tropes of the Hellenistic and Roman eras, ending with Classical dramas influences on the modern stage. Genres will include tragedy and comedy, and we will looks at examples from all major surviving authors, such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Plautus, Terence, and Seneca, with a look at fragments of lost dramatists. The mechanics of the stage will be a point of interest, as well as the social condition of actors, playwrights, and producers. We will also consider ancient opinions on drama, of a philosophical and a popularizing nature, in particular, the views of Plato and Aristotle. Finally, we will consider drama as a product and a reflection of the historical moment that brings it forth, as well as the social continuum that reproduces it again and again. Student Learning Outcomes: Students will become well acquainted with the myths, history, conventions, and major personages of Classical theater through readings of the plays themselves, and some secondary readings, as well as lectures, in-class discussions, and online forums. Students will essay to reproduce a dramatic format by rehearsing in groups and reading at least 2 scenes out loud in class. Students will write two papers (5-7 pages) on literary, historical, political, or social aspects of specific plays that we read. Guidelines and important information Attendance: Practice and verbal reinforcement greatly improve your chances of success Therefore your attendance is required. If you miss class for any reason, get notes from a classmate and touch base with me. 1. Some absences (e.g. religious observance, away-games, class field trips) may be excused; some require a note from a coach or teacher, and you must notify me in advance. Any make-up test must be scheduled with me in advance. 2. In case of medical or family emergency, the Office of Campus Life and Student Affairs (Sycamore Cottage, x3390) must verify your absence. If such an absence entails missing a quiz or exam, we will arrange for a make-up as soon as possible. 3. You are allowed two (2) unexcused absences. After that, your participation grade will drop one-third of a grade with each further unexcused absence.

Academic integrity: No cheating of any kind will be tolerated, and any cheating discovered must be reported to the Deans Office, according to the booklet Standards of Academic Integrity. Please do not eat in class. Please turn off cell phones and PDAs. Class etiquette: Be on time. Cell phones and PDAs shall be silenced and put away. Drinks are OK, but no food. In case of bathroom emergency, be quiet when leaving and returning. Be collegial; class shall be a supportive environment for our joint learning process. Electronic access: 1. You will need to use Moodle to complete your online homework assignments. Go to moodle.drew.edu and log on with your Drew net ID and password. The first time, you must add the course by choosing it from a drop-down menu in the upper right. Thereafter, click on the link for CLAS 250 and you will be directed to the course home page. ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS: Should you require academic accommodations, you must file a request with the Office of Disability Services (BC 119B, extension 3962). It is your responsibility to self-identify with the Office of Disability Services and to provide faculty with the appropriate documentation from that office at least one week prior to any request for specific course accommodations. There are no retroactive accommodations. The deadline to request Letters of Accommodations (LOAs) for all students currently registered with the Office of Disability Services is 09/10/2012. Books required for purchase: (ALL OTHER READINGS WILL BE SUPPLIED DIGITALLY) 1)Greek Tragedies 1: University of Chicago Press, Apr 22, 2013: 022603531X 2) Classical comedy. Editor, Erich Segal, Penguin, 2006: 0140449825, 9780140449822 3) Aeschylus II: The Oresteia: Chicago, 2013: 0226311481 Course Requirements: Papers (2) 40% Final exam 20% Attendance: 10% Class Participation: 10% Online Moodle forums: 10% Group scenes: 10%

Schedule (Rough, and Subject to alteration, so keep looking at Moodle for assignments) Week 1: 9/4 9/6 Week 2 9/9 9/11 9/13 9/16 9/18 9/20 9/23 9/25 9/27 9/30 10/2 10/4 10/7 10/9 10/11 10/16 10/18 10/21 10/23 Intro to comedy Aristophanes Euripides Intro to Euripides Medea Hippolytus Iphigenia at Aulis Bacchae No class 10/14 Birds Lysistrata Sophocles 10/4 Last day to drop with W Introduction to Sophocles Oedipus Rex Antigone Aeschylus and the Trilogy Oresteia: Libation Bearers and Eumenides Classical Contexts and Introduction to Classical Theater: Introduction to Aeschylus: Intro reading Packet: Moodle Prometheus Bound Agamemnon

10/25 10/28 10/30 11/1 11/4 11/6 Drama in Greek Art 11/8 Plato and Aristotle 11/11 11/13 11/15 11/18 11/20 11/22 11/25 12/2 12/4 12/6 12/9 Influence of Classical Theater Terence Seneca and Roman Tragedy Heautontimoroumenos Oedipus Thyestes Octavia Shakespeare Eugene ONeill Plautus Terence Roman Comedy: Plautus Menaechmi Rudens Amphrityon Pseudolus Eunuch Menander and Middle Comedy Dyskolos Selctions from Republic; Laws; Poetics Aristophanes Comic fragments Frogs

12/16 (Exact date TBA)

Final exam