Classical mythology and its media
A.A. 2023/2024
Obiettivi formativi
The course will consist of a preliminar section that will present some key tools related to the study of classical mythology, with a specific interest in the definition of the peculiar nature of the ancient hero and the presence of some narrative patterns related to it in the Mediterranean area. A specific focus will also be devoted to the survival of the mythical "heroic" narrative in modern and contemporary culture, through literary, iconographic, musical sources, and more generally in new media.
In the second part of the course, the figure of the hero Heracles will be specifically examined: his mythical biography, his deeds, but also permanence in a broad geographic area that includes, in addition to East and West Greek world, the Phoenician-Punic area, the Sumerian culture, the Etruscan world, and again Central Asia, India, and Medieval China. A specific in-depth study will be devoted to the adaptations of the hero in new media (performance art, cinema, music).
In the second part of the course, the figure of the hero Heracles will be specifically examined: his mythical biography, his deeds, but also permanence in a broad geographic area that includes, in addition to East and West Greek world, the Phoenician-Punic area, the Sumerian culture, the Etruscan world, and again Central Asia, India, and Medieval China. A specific in-depth study will be devoted to the adaptations of the hero in new media (performance art, cinema, music).
Risultati apprendimento attesi
1.Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge of the limits and perspectives of historiographical traditions and the problems associated with reading and interpreting the history of classical mythology; knowledge of the basic lines of development of the history of mythology and its channels of communication.
2.Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Ability to critically use the main bibliographical tools to search for information in the history of classical mythology; ability to read (synchronic and diachronic) the main historical dynamics with reference to classical mythology; ability to recognise the value of the complexity and multiplicity of interpretations of the sources; ability to understand, analyse, and reuse the scientific literature related to the discipline covered in the syllabus; ability to compare different hypotheses formulated in the scientific literature and to understand what arguments are brought to support them.
3.Making judgments: ability to form an autonomous, reasoned idea, free from fashions and preconceived theories, in relation to the historical and cultural phenomena of classical mythology; ability to grasp and critically interpret and historically contextualise the complex elements of diversity and otherness of the various mythical traditions; ability to select information for the purpose of formulating one's own autonomous and critically examined judgements; ability to critically intervene in a debate on the value and role of classical mythology for understanding the present.
4.Communication skills: ability to express with logical rigour in written and/or oral form (in English) the knowledge and skills learnt in the course of study of classical mythology.
5.Learning skills: ability to autonomously find and consult resources and tools for learning and updating knowledge and skills in the area of the study of religions; autonomous ability to interpret sources in the study of the religion of one or more civilisations; ability to develop questions in a clear and articulate manner in order to deepen, complete and integrate the knowledge and skills learnt.
2.Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Ability to critically use the main bibliographical tools to search for information in the history of classical mythology; ability to read (synchronic and diachronic) the main historical dynamics with reference to classical mythology; ability to recognise the value of the complexity and multiplicity of interpretations of the sources; ability to understand, analyse, and reuse the scientific literature related to the discipline covered in the syllabus; ability to compare different hypotheses formulated in the scientific literature and to understand what arguments are brought to support them.
3.Making judgments: ability to form an autonomous, reasoned idea, free from fashions and preconceived theories, in relation to the historical and cultural phenomena of classical mythology; ability to grasp and critically interpret and historically contextualise the complex elements of diversity and otherness of the various mythical traditions; ability to select information for the purpose of formulating one's own autonomous and critically examined judgements; ability to critically intervene in a debate on the value and role of classical mythology for understanding the present.
4.Communication skills: ability to express with logical rigour in written and/or oral form (in English) the knowledge and skills learnt in the course of study of classical mythology.
5.Learning skills: ability to autonomously find and consult resources and tools for learning and updating knowledge and skills in the area of the study of religions; autonomous ability to interpret sources in the study of the religion of one or more civilisations; ability to develop questions in a clear and articulate manner in order to deepen, complete and integrate the knowledge and skills learnt.
Periodo: Primo semestre
Modalità di valutazione: Esame
Giudizio di valutazione: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento non può essere seguito come corso singolo. Puoi trovare gli insegnamenti disponibili consultando il catalogo corsi singoli.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Responsabile
Periodo
Primo semestre
Programma
The course aims at providing some key tools related to the study of ancient mythology, with a specific focus on the spread of storytelling patterns in both a synchronic (in addition to East and West Greek world, the Phoenician-Punic area, the Sumerian culture, the Etruscan world, and again Central Asia, India, and Medieval China) and diachronic sense, from antiquity to contemporaneity. This year's program includes an in-depth focus (to which the second section of the course is dedicated) on the figure of the hero, with a particular interest in Heracles/Hercules, with a specific examination of modern and contemporary culture, through literary, iconographic, musical sources, and more generally in new media (performance art, cinema, music).
Main teaching topics:
- Classical mythology
- Survival of storytelling patterns
- the character of the hero and his presence in the Mediterranean areas
- ancient mythology and new media
Main teaching topics:
- Classical mythology
- Survival of storytelling patterns
- the character of the hero and his presence in the Mediterranean areas
- ancient mythology and new media
Prerequisiti
This course has no access requirements and is not restricted to students in classics. Equally, an introductory knowledge of classical mythology is certainly helpful.
Metodi didattici
Teaching methods: The teaching method is lecture based. However, lecturing will be intermingled with workshop lessons. This course has no formal entry requirements. Nonetheless, attendance is highly recommended.
Materiale di riferimento
Teaching section one: L. Edmunds, Greek Myth (de gruyter)
Teaching section two: E. Stafford, Herakles (routledge)
Teaching section two: E. Stafford, Herakles (routledge)
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
The examination is exclusively oral, and the grading system is based on a 30 points scale (18 is the minimum passing grade).
The exam also aims at testing the ability both to discuss critically the topics studied and to use the appropriate discipline-specific vocabulary. Performance descriptors are: knowledge accuracy, ability to present critically a topic, speech organization, fluency and appropriate vocabulary. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
Assessment of knowledge: Assessment will consist of an oral examination, in which students will be evaluated as to the knowledge and the competencies they acquired during the course and in the subsequent preparation for the exam.
The exam also aims at testing the ability both to discuss critically the topics studied and to use the appropriate discipline-specific vocabulary. Performance descriptors are: knowledge accuracy, ability to present critically a topic, speech organization, fluency and appropriate vocabulary. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
Assessment of knowledge: Assessment will consist of an oral examination, in which students will be evaluated as to the knowledge and the competencies they acquired during the course and in the subsequent preparation for the exam.
Siti didattici
Docente/i
Ricevimento:
mercoledì ore10.45
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