Ateneo - UPO

Theatre and performance in the ancient world.

1) A. Belardinelli, Lo spettacolo teatrale dei Greci. Le Monnier, 2023. ISBN 9788800750370. 2) B. Zimmermann, La commedia greca. Carocci, 2016. ISBN 9788843083114. 3) O. Taplin, R. Wyles, The Pronomos Vase and its Context, Oxford 2010. ISBN 9780199582594. 4) M. Di Marco, Storia del teatro greco, Roma 2020.

At a first level, acquisition of an advanced knowledge of the theatrical production of the Greek and Roman world from a literatury, performative and historical-cultural perspective. At a more advanced level, the students will acquire an ability to make formal and thematic comparisons between different texts, so as to show a comprehensive understanding of ancient theatre. In-class lectures correspond to 1,2 CFU, individual study to 4,8 CFU.

The students must either have passed the exam of Introduction to Greek literary culture or they must have graduated from a Liceo classico. Knowledge of Ancient Greek is not required for attending this course. Basic IT knowledge (internet; download of files from the DIR website). Good knowledge of Italian. Basic information about ancient history and the geography of the Mediterranean area, as taught in Italian high schools.

Lectures; classroom discussion.

The teacher prepared didactic materials relevant to the course. These materials can be accessed through the university intranet service (DIR). Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via reference office consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities. Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The final exam consists of an oral examination that will focus on the following points: knowledge of essential data relating to the authors and works in the program (weight 33% of the final grade); knowledge of essential data relating to literary history (standard question: "in what historical, geographical and performance context was one of the literary works in the program presented to the ancient public?") (weight 33% of the final grade); ability to establish connections and formulate judgments on the works in the program (weight 33% of the final grade). The final grade will be based on the degree of knowledge and understanding of the texts and essential concepts, on the ability to understand a text or tackle the proposed interpretative problem, and on the degree of expressive and communicative ability. Mark between 18 and 22: Overall, sufficient knowledge of the topics, but lack of in-depth analysis and independent revision. Mark between 23 and 27: More in-depth knowledge of the topics, moderate in-depth analysis, and independent revision. Mark between 28 and 30: Very in-depth knowledge of the topics, evident in-depth analysis, and independent revision. A mark with distinction ("lode") is achieved when one demonstrates having acquired a capacity for profound and autonomous critical reflection with respect to the contents of the course.

Reading in Italian translation and interpretation of some fundamental texts of the ancient theatre (Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus, Terence), study of the figurative evidence relating to theatrical performance in the ancient world. Select chapters of M. Di Marco, Storia del teatro greco, Roma 2020.

"Integration of the gender dimension": The representation of women in Greek theatre will be a specific focus of the analysis of Aeschylus's Seven Against Thebes and Sophocles's Ajax.

At a first level, knowledge of essential data relating to the theatrical production of the ancient world. At an advanced level, ability to formulate judgments on the works planned to establish thematic and formal connections between the texts.

KNOWLEDGE:
- Knowledge of the formal characteristics and of the contents of the texts and the related historical-literary context.

SKILLS:
- Ability to critically analyse texts.
- Ability to present arguments with clarity and using the specialistic language.