107-439 Sex, Gender & Society in Greece and Rome

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in classics or classical studies and archaeology, ancient and medieval studies, gender studies or by permission of the instructor.

This subject examines sex and gender in the classical world. It introduces students to methods of interpreting the evidence from the ancient world in order to say anything definite about the 'real' lives of women in Greece and Rome. It also explores how ancient men expressed their ideology about femininity and masculinity through their literature; whether sexuality is a natural phenomenon, or is culturally determined; how ancient homosexuality differs from modern lesbian and gay culture; and how ancient assumptions about gender roles in the family differ from modern assumptions. Students will engage with primary texts in translation and will explore modern theoretical approaches, including social history, feminisms, and queer theory. Students should complete the subject with an understanding of the complex approaches to a 'history of women' and a 'history of sexuality' in an ancient context.

• learn how to conduct research in the humanities;

• develop oral communication skills through oral delivery of reports;

• develop critical thinking and analysis skills.

A written essay of 2500 words 25% (due at the end of semester), on-line discussions 500 words 10% (due weekly), oral presentations 40% and written summaries of presentations totalling 1500 words 25%.

A subject reader will be available.

• Fantham, Foley, Kampen, Pomeroy & Shapiro (eds), Women in the Classical World: Image and Text. Oxford University Press.