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Module

ARA8129 : Sex, bodies and identities in Classical Greece

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Sally Waite
  • Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

This module aims to acquaint students with current discussions concerning issues of identity and its embodiment in Greek antiquity through analysis of written, visual and material evidence. It will look at the human body to understand its central role in the construction of different aspects of identity such as gender, sexuality and ethnicity engaging critically with approaches drawn from gender and feminist theory. The focus is on sex, bodies and identities throughout the extended life course, from infancy to the construction of identity after death.

Students have the opportunity to work closely with some objects from the Shefton Collection whilst exploring the module themes. The module will offer students a detailed introduction to major categories of Greek art-historical and archaeological material, demonstrating the ways in which the study of artefacts illuminates broader patterns within Greek society.

Outline Of Syllabus

Topics may include:

The material culture of children
Rites of passage
Dress and the body
The construction of femininity
Masculinity and the body politic
Pornography
Prostitution
Homosexuality
Death and disembodiment

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion551:0055:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture211:0021:00attendance encouraged but not required for all lectures shared with ARA3121
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading421:0042:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching61:006:00in person
Structured Guided LearningStructured research and reading activities181:0018:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching32:006:00in person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops21:002:00in person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops12:002:00taught jointly with ARA3121
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery21:002:00drop in surgery - in person
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study461:0046:00N/A
Total200:00
Jointly Taught With
Code Title
ARA3121Sex, bodies and identities in Classical Greece
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures and seminars introduce topics, material and approaches and encourage questioning of the material.
Attendance is required for a minimum of 10 lectures.
The small group seminars encourage oral discussion and debate as well the development of presentation skills. The workshops introduce the students to the Greek collections in the GNM and draw attention
to items of special relevance for the module.
The online surgeries allow for students to seek guidance for the assignment.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1A702500 words excluding bibliography
Written exercise1M30Museum Note - 1000 words
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Research proposal1M500 word essay plan
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Submitted work develops key skills in research, reading and writing and assesses intended knowledge and skills outcomes including independent thinking and the ability to critically evaluate the concepts and sources introduced in the module.
The museum note will develop and assess professional skills with a view to preparing an artefact for publication (1000 words) and the project (2500 words) will enable candidates to display mastery of a complex and specialised area of knowledge and skills and to employ advanced skills to conduct research in an area of their choice connected to Sex, Bodies and Identities in Ancient Greece. The formative research proposal enables students to develop, and gain feedback on, a plan and bibliography for their research essay.

Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending semester 1 only are required to finish their assessment while in Newcastle. Where an exam is present, an alternative form of assessment will be set and where coursework is present, an alternative deadline will be set. Details of the alternative assessment will be provided by the module leader.

Reading Lists

Timetable