Stories, Histories and Ticket-Sales: Greeks and Romans on the Silver Screen 

Module Code:

MCLA2020

When taught:

Lent (residential students)

Credit points:

20

Method of Assessment:

1 x 5,000 word essay

Teaching Methods:

2-hour seminars and 2-hour film viewings (residential); module-pack (distance)

Availability

TBA

Lecturer:

E. Bissa

Contact hours (for residential students):

40

Syllabus:

The module examines the reception of classical antiquity in film and television in the 20th and 21st centyries CE. Film and television are the most popular media of communication in the modern era and the media with the highest degree of dissemination among the general populace, mainly in the western world but also globally.  The representation and description of classical mythology and history on film and television has a major impact on our understanding and view of the ancient world in a non-scholarly environment.  However, producers of films and television shows relating to the classical world do not aim towards education of the public in classics or ancient history but, like the rest of the entertainment industry, aim toward entertainment and profit.  The module looks into not only the impact of films on the classical world on the public’s view of the Greeks and the Romans but also the industry’s penchant for using classical themes for success in both monetary and award terms. 

Learning outcomes:  

• To develop an understanding of the reception of the classical world on film and television.
• To consider how representations of antiquity on film and television have shaped and influenced the perception of the public .
• To raise awareness of the problems and difficulties associated with popular reception of antiquity.
• To enhance students’ skills of source analysis in reception studies.

Transferable and other skills involved:  

Critical, analytical and problem-solving skills through written coursework and close analysis of films in seminars; academic writing skills; oral presentation skills; research skills.

Main recommended texts:  

• M. Winkler (2001), Classical Myth and Culture in the Cinema (Oxford)
• M. Wyke (1997), Projecting the Past: Ancient Rome, Cinema and History (London)
• L. Hughes-Hallett (1990), Cleopatra: Histories, Dreams and Distortions (London)

Evaluation (including student evaluation):  

Students will be asked to complete a questionnaire at the end of the module.  This will be used by Students will be asked to complete a questionnaire at the end of the module. This will be used by the Department in its annual review of all its teaching to help evaluate the module’s success. The external examiner will also have the opportunity to make comments and results of the questionnaires will be discussed in the SSCC.