The College of New Rochelle
School of Arts and Sciences
Honors Program

Description: Exploration of the unique nature and continuing significance of Greek tragedy and Greek theater in the drama of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, with particular emphasis on the portrayal of women in 5th century Greece. Through close reading of the plays and literary criticism, as well as discussion, writing, research, and performance, students will come to an understanding of the impact of this dramatic form on the civilization which created it and of its survival in contemporary Western culture.

Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes: at the conclusion of this seminar you will be able to --

1. demonstrate your knowledge of this culture in relation to
   • 5th century Athenian achievement in the field of tragic drama
   • Greek tragedy as a distinct form of aesthetic expression
   • conventions of the ancient theater
2. analyze, evaluate, and compare the tragic vision of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides
3. explain ancient Greek attitudes toward class and gender as they are reflected in the plays
4. use library and internet resources to research the ancient world
5. apply what you have learned to the production and performance of an ancient Greek tragedy.

Requirements and Outcomes Assessment: you are expected to --

• attend all class meetings, arriving promptly and remaining to the end of class. Your presence and full participation in this weekly seminar are considered valuable contributions to the learning community (all objectives)
• come to class prepared, having read closely and reflected critically on the texts, with class texts and necessary materials (all objectives)
• submit all assignments on time and in full as follows: (all objectives)
  • oral presentations must meet instructor's guidelines
  • written work must respond to instructions and conform to standards for formal writing (use the college writing manual), be word-processed or handwritten clearly
• contribute thoughtfully to real and virtual discussions and writing assignments (objectives 1-4)
• organize and lead a one-hour class discussion on an assigned tragedy, with a partner:Seminar Project (all objectives)
• maintain a reader-response journal on the plays, selected readings, videos and class discussion: Journal Project (objectives 2, 3, 5)
• produce and perform a Greek tragedy, chosen by the class in addition to the assigned plays: Performance Project (all objectives)

Materials of Instruction:
Course Texts: (please purchase these editions):
       Ley, Graham, A Short Introduction to the Ancient Greek Theater. Chicago: U Chicago Press (pb)
       Aeschylus: The Complete Greek Tragedies: Aeschylus I. Edited by David Grene and Richmond Lattimore. Chicago: U Chicago Press (pb)
       Sophocles: The Theban Plays. Translated by Peter Meineck, Paul Woodruff. Indianapolis: Hackett (pb).
       Euripides: The Complete Greek Tragedies: Euripides I (Alcestis, Medea, Heracleidae, Hippolytus). Edited by David Grene and Richmond Lattimore. Chicago: U Chicago Press (pb)
       Euripides: The Complete Greek Tragedies: Euripides V (Electra, Phoenician Women, Bacchae). Edited by David Grene and Richmond Lattimore. Chicago: U Chicago Press (pb)

Bibliographies of selected books on the ancient theater, performance, literary criticism, the three tragedians (Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Theater Production).

Additional readings, including articles, guides, outlines on Angel or on library reserve.

Visual aids, including slides, prints, and videotaped performances of plays

Internet resources on the classical world, such as Diotima, Perseus, VRoma will be hot-linked on Angel together with weekly assignments.

Methods of Instruction:

• Discussion in class and Angel Forums of assigned plays, criticism, student writing, research
• Critical viewing of video productions of ancient tragedy
• Print and electronic writing, formal and informal
• Joint student-led seminars (instructions)
• Independent/team research assignments
• Dramatic readings and performance
• Class field trip to a performance of tragedy (if available)

Grading: your final grade will be based on the quality of your work according to the percentages below.
Students found cheating or plagiarizing will fail the course, as will those who do not complete all course requirements.
More than one unexcused absence will result in a lowered final grade.

Course Policies:
You are expected to make every effort to be present, arrive on time, and be prepared to participate actively in all of the seminar activities. Behavior appropriate to the learning goals is mandatory. Students with more than 1 un-excused absence and those who regularly arrive late will find their grade lowered one level for each additional absence/lateness. Since assignments are given in preparation for class discussion, late writing assignments will not be accepted (arrangements will be made only for students with excused absences, such as a doctor's note or an excuse from the Dean). Students who are absent or late are responsible for obtaining assignments, notes, and materials from Angel, fellow students or the professor during office hours. Students with documented special needs must inform the professor at the beginning of the course of accommodations or services they require for successful academic participation.

Schedule of Topics

We will meet on Fridays, 1l a.m. - 1 p.m., in the Honors Center (Castle 323) unless otherwise announced.
Detailed assignments will be given at the end of each class and posted on Angel, along with reading/writing questions and hyper-linked Internet materials.

• Our seminar, a small class of Honors students, meets only once a week for two hours. Reading and writing assignments will prepare you for entering confidently into class discussion. We will use the class period for sharing insights and ideas that arise from your reading the plays and supplementary materials (independently, in collaboration with others, or in conversation with the instructor), writing Journal entries, and viewing videotaped performances.
• Class discussion, reading, and Journal writing will include but not be limited to such topics as: the origin and development of Greek drama; the physical aspects of the theater; acting and performance; the social and political context of Greek tragedy - particularly the status of women, the polis and democracy, myth, ritual, and religion; ancient critical theory (Aristotle); dramatic style and tragic vision; ancient tragedy in the modern world.

January 25: Introduction to the course content and each other; development and acceptance of the syllabus and requirements.

February 1 : Reading of Aeschylus' trilogy Oresteia: Agamemnon: look for details, guides, and visuals on Angel

February 8: Aeschylus' trilogy Oresteia: Libation-Bearers (Choephoroi): look for instructions and materials on Angell

February 15: Aeschylus' trilogy Oresteia: Furies (Eumenides): look for instructions and materials on Angel

February 29: Aristotle's Poetics, Ley's A Short Introduction to the Ancient Greek Theater: look for instructions and materials on Angel

March 7 : Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannos: look for instructions and materials on Angel

March 14 : Sophocles' Oedipus at Colonos: look for instructions and materials on Angel

March 28: Sophocles' Antigone: look for instructions and materials on Angel

April 4: Euripides' Medea: Kathy and Alex

April 11: Euripides' Electra: Mary and Darianna

April 18: Meeting for final arrangements and rehearsal for Performance

May 2: Euripides' Hippolytos: Sarah and Ashley

May 9: Euripides' Bacchae: Erin and Katherine
Concluding Discussions, evaluation of seminar

May 12-16: Finals Week: Senior Grades due Wednesday, May 14