Skip to content

Module Catalogue

Breadcrumbs navigation

CL4605   Classical Bodies

Academic year(s): 2017-2018

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Thu

How did the Greeks depict the human body, not just in large, expensive bronze sculptures, but also in cheap terracotta figures and painted ceramics? While we are familiar with idealized images of young elite men and gods, if we look closer we find a much broader range of bodies including those of people marginalized through race, gender, disability, social status and age. In this module we analyse the range of body images with art historical techniques and with modern theories of body modification (e.g. hair grooming, clothes, cosmetics, prosthetics and tattoos). A key question we tackle is how these images relate to the real bodies and lived experience of their creators and viewers. We use a combination of visual and literary evidence from the Classical and Hellenistic periods, and explore how body depictions can be related to broader artistic, cultural and political trends.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 x 2-hour seminar per week (10 weeks) plus one museum visit.

Scheduled learning hours: 26

Guided independent study hours: 264

Assessment pattern

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

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 30%
Practical examinations : 20%
Coursework: 50%

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

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr A I Petsalis-Diomidis
Module teaching staff: Dr A Petsalis-Diomidis