University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Available to General Degree students with the permission of the Honours Adviser

Planned timetable: To be arranged

Greek and Roman literature demonstrates a long-lasting fascination with magic, from Homer's majestic and terrifying Circe to Lucan's revolting Erictho and beyond. Tall tales abound: the dead are reanimated, hearts are stolen (sometimes literally) and inanimate objects fetch more water than anyone could ever want. This interest in magic extended well beyond the realm of literature: lead curse-tablets, so-called 'voodoo dolls' and papyrus spell-books for the magician-for-hire indicate a vigorous practical interest too. Whether unlucky in love, tangled in litigation, or thwarted in business, there was (apparently) a spell to help. This module examines magic and related phenomena in Greek and Roman society. We will explore topics such as the connections between magic and gender, the complex relationship between magic in literature and in life, and the recurrent difficulty both then and now of distinguishing magic from science, philosophy and, above all, religion.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): As stated in the School of Classics Undergraduate Handbook

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 2 hour seminars (10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours: 20

Guided independent study hours: 280

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 50%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 50%

Re-assessment: 3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr R T Anderson
Module teaching staff: Dr Ralph Anderson (RTA1)
Module coordinator email rta1@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• Identify and describe the main forms of magical practice used in Greek and Roman antiquity and the contexts in which they were used;
• Identify and analyse a range of forms of documentary, archaeological and literary evidence for ancient magical practices and beliefs and for ideas about, and attitudes towards, magic and magicians;
• Identify and account for the differences between the images of magic and magicians presented by different forms of evidence and in different social, political and cultural contexts;
• Describe and evaluate a range of interpretations of ancient magic presented in modern scholarship;
• Select the most appropriate forms of evidence to support your argument, including detailed case-studies;
• Formulate sophisticated arguments about magic in antiquity, including ancient discourses about magic, using appropriate methodologies and evidence.