UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit introduces students to how the writers, thinkers and artists of ancient Greece and Rome have influenced writers, thinkers and artists worldwide, from Africa in the 5th century CE (Saint Augustine) to contemporary Australia. In the first half of the unit students receive a roadmap of major historical landmarks in the ‘Classical Tradition', such as the revival of classical learning under Charlemagne in the 9th century CE, the Platonic Renaissance of the twelfth century, and the recovery of lost ancient works by the humanists of the Italian Renaissance. In the second half, via a series of in-depth case studies, students will have the opportunity to explore the reception of key ancient works in medieval, early modern and contemporary literature and media. Genres and authors covered may include: epic, from Homer through to Margaret Atwood's Penelopiad; ancient Stoic thought in the Renaissance and in modern self-help literature; and various film adaptations of classical plays, stories and characters, such as Pasolini's Medea and Spike Lee's Chi-Raq (based on Aristophanes' Lysistrata).

Credit

6 points

Offering

Availability	Location	Mode
Not available in 2025	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 3 option in the Classics and Ancient History major sequence
• Level 3 elective

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) identify and describe significant elements of continuity and change in the global inheritance of the Classical tradition of Greece and Rome over the period from late antiquity to the present day; (2) read and interpret original literature, documents and artworks in relation to their influence from and transformation of Classical models; (3) display familiarity with the major disciplinary approaches (scholarship, theories and methodologies) that underpin the study of the Classical tradition and also the newer field of Classical Reception Studies; and (4) develop clear and scholarly interpretations from independent research and analysis, using the appropriate discourse conventions of written and oral forms, and be able to defend a critical position.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) tutorial and/or workshop participation; (2) written review of a contemporary exhibition/ film/ book showing classical influence; and (3) research essay. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Kirk Essary

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Any level-2 unit from CLAN, HIST, ENGL,
or EURO.

Advisable prior study

Units from Classics and Ancient History (including Latin
or Greek) complement this unit very well, as do studies in History, Art History, European Studies,
or English, but there are no prerequisites beyond those listed above

Contact hours

Up to 3 hours per week