DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICAL STUDIES
COURSE OUTLINE:
Classical Studies 2810A/Film Studies 2198A
ANCIENT GREECE IN FILM
AUTUMN 2013
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. K. Olson ([email protected])
COURSE PAGE URL: http://ancientgreeceonfilm.wordpress.com
OFFICE: Lawson Hall 3227 (661-2111 x 84525)
OFFICE HOURS: Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00 PM, or by appointment
TIME AND PLACE OF CLASS: Lectures: MW, 1:30-2:30 PM, UC 142. Screenings:
Tuesdays 7:00 – 10:00, UC 30
REQUIRED TEXTS:
•
G. Nisbet. Ancient Greece in Film and Popular Culture. Updated 2nd ed. (ppk., 2008)
•
S. Lombardo, ed. and trans. The Essential Homer (ppk., 2000)
•
Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (ppk., 2006)
•
Coursepack (available online from Pearson)
IN ELECTRONIC COURSEPACK:
•
Herodotus on the Spartans, Persians, and Thermopylae
•
Plutarch on the Spartans
•
Apollonius Rhodius on Jason
ON THE WWW:
• Timeline of Greek history
•
Life of Alexander the Great
COURSE OBJECTIVES This course seeks to introduce students to the epic films set in
ancient Greece. Besides detailed discussion of individual films, topics covered will include:
• how and why events are selected and portrayed in film
• the differences between history and Hollywood mythology, history and fiction
• how the portrayal of cinematic Greece has changed over time
• conventions of the Greek epic and the use of spectacle and hyperbole
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
On successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
• identify and critically assess the key concepts and themes raised by the depiction of the
ancient Greek worlds in film
• use specific examples to explain key concepts and themes
• read literary texts (ancient and contemporary) and view films with an attention to
mythological detail and allusions.
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS:
Students completing this course are expected to have acquired:
• an understanding of the cinematic uses made of the past
• historical consciousness and analytical skills through reading novels and other historical
sources, and viewing films
NOTE FROM THE DEAN OF ARTS and HUMANITIES: You are responsible for ensuring that you have successfully
completed all course prerequisites and that you have not taken an antirequisite course. Lack of prerequisites may not be used
as basis of appeal. If you are not eligible for a course, you may be removed from it at any time, and you will receive no
adjustment to your fees. These decisions cannot be appealed.
PLAGIARISM: Students must write their essays and assignments in their own words. Whenever students take an idea, or a
passage of text from another author, they must acknowledge their debt both by using quotation marks where appropriate and
by proper referencing such as footnotes or citations. Plagiarism is a major academic offence (see Scholastic Offence Policy in the
Western Academic Calendar).
POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR MEDICAL ILLNESS:
http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/accommodation_medical.pdf
[downloadable Student Medical Certificate (SMC): https:/studentservices.uwo.ca [under the Medical Documentation heading]
Students seeking academic accommodation on medical grounds for any missed tests, exams and/or assignments worth 10% or more of their
final grade must apply to the Office of the Dean of their home faculty and provide documentation.
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATION CANNOT BE GRANTED BY THE INSTRUCTOR OR DEPARTMENT.
UWO ACCESSIBILITY POLICY. Western has many services and programs that support the personal, physical, social and
academic needs of students with disabilities. For more information and links to these services: http://accessibility.uwo.ca/
EMOTIONAL OR MENTAL DISTRESS Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Mental
Health@Western http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.
GRADES:
Three in-class mini-exams: 20% each (30 minutes long) = 60%
One final exam (scheduled by the registrar):
40%
______________
100%
NOTES TO STUDENTS:
1. Since the tests are given in class time, there can be no conflicts. More than one test on the
same day does not constitute a conflict.
2. Exam questions will be based on lectures as well as assigned readings. Failure to complete
the required readings before an exam does not constitute a valid reason for postponing that
exam. Plan your schedule ahead of time.
3. Those who miss classes or parts of classes remain responsible for the material they have
missed. The instructor and the TAs will not review the contents of lectures or repeat
announcements for those who arrive late or miss classes.
4. Students are responsible for viewing the films prior to the lectures and discussion of the
film. This can be accomplished by a) attending the screenings on Tuesday evenings; b) viewing
the film on your own time in the Arts A/V Library (UC 1; please note you must watch the
film on-site); or c) by renting/downloading the film yourself. Failure to view a film or films
before an exam does not constitute a valid reason for postponing that exam. Plan your
schedule ahead of time.
5. Also, don't just watch the films, but take notes on them, both informational and for
questions to bring up in class.
6. Do the readings BEFORE the class in which they will be discussed and bring the texts
to class. Mark up and highlight major points, facts, and examples in your readings.
7. The final grade is calculated on the basis of your performance on the exams only. Except in
cases of proven medical or psychological crisis, you cannot do an extra assignment to make
up for a poor performance on an exam. Nor can I re-weight exams.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Films for Viewing and Discussion:
300. (2007). dr. Zack Snyder.
The 300 Spartans. (1962). dr. Rudolph Maté.
Jason and the Argonauts. (1963). dr. Don Chaffey.
Jason and the Argonauts. (TV, 2000). dr. Nick Willing.
Troy. (2004). dr. Wolfgang Petersen.
Helen of Troy. (1956). dr. Robert Wise.
Clash of the Titans. (1981). dr. Desmond Davis.
Clash of the Titans. (2010). dr. Louis Leterrier.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2001). drs. Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (uncredited).
The Odyssey. (TV, 1997). dr. Andrey Konchalovskiy.
Alexander. (2004). dr. Oliver Stone.
Alexander the Great. (1956). dr. Robert Rossen.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. (2010). dr. Chris Columbus.
UNIT ONE: INTRODUCTION:
Sept 9 Introduction: a short history of Greece in the movies (from 1900)
Reading: Nisbet 1-44
UNIT TWO: TROY, HOMER, AND THE CINEMA:
Sept 10 SCREENING: Troy (2004); 162 mins.
Sept 11 Troy and Homer: legends and archaeology
• Reading: Nisbet 45-86; Lombardo, ix –xx and Iliad, 1-19, 28-42, 69-82, 92-106, 153175, 205-221, 230-240
Sept 16 Troy and Homer: legends and archaeology
Sept 17 SCREENING: Helen of Troy (1956); 121 mins.
Sept 18 Petersen’s Troy and Wise’s Helen
Sept 23 Petersen’s Troy and Wise’s Helen: discussion
Sept 24 SCREENING: The Odyssey (1997); 176 mins.
Sept 25 Homer’s Odyssey
• Reading: Lombardo 241- 254, 269-293, 298-365, 437-465
Sept 30 Homer and the Coen brothers
Oct 1 SCREENING: O Brother (2001); 103 mins.
Oct 2 Homer and the Coen brothers/ The Odyssey: discussion
Oct 7 Hollywood and Homer: quiz #1
UNIT THREE: HOLLYWOOD AND THE USES OF MYTH:
Oct 8 SCREENING: Clash of the Titans (1981); 118 mins.
Oct 9 Hollywood and the uses of mythology
Oct 14 NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Oct 15 SCREENING: Clash of the Titans (2010); 106 mins.
Oct 16 Hollywood and the uses of mythology
Oct 21 Clash discussion
Oct 22 SCREENING: Jason and the Argonauts (1963); 139 mins.
Oct 23 Apollonius and Jason
• Reading: Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica (selections; coursepack)
Oct 28 Apollonius and Jason
Oct 29 SCREENING: Jason and the Argonauts (2000); 104 mins.
Oct 30 Jason discussion; quiz #2
UNIT FOUR: GREEK HISTORY ON SCREEN:
Nov 4 Herodotus, Athens, Persia, and Sparta
• Reading: Herodotus on the Spartans, Persians, and Thermopylae; Plutarch on the
Spartans (in coursepack)
Nov 5 SCREENING: The 300 Spartans (1962); 108 mins.
Nov 6 Herodotus, Athens, Persia, and Sparta
Nov 11 Herodotus, Athens, Persia, and Sparta; discussion
Nov 12 SCREENING: 300 (2007); 116 mins.
Nov 13 Frank Miller and 300; discussion
Nov 18 Alexander the Great
Reading: Nisbet 87-135; Plutarch’s Life of Alexander (online)
Nov 19 SCREENING: Alexander the Great (1956); 136 mins.
Nov 20 Alexander the Great; quiz #3
Nov 25 Alexander the Great
Nov 26 SCREENING: Alexander (2004); 175 mins
Nov 27 Alexander the Great
Dec 2 Alexander the Great: discussion
UNIT FIVE: PERCY JACKSON:
Dec 3 SCREENING: Percy Jackson (2010); 118 mins.
Dec 4 Rick Riordan and Greek myth
• Reading: Percy Jackson (entire novel)