The student will acquire basic information on ancient theatre's material and structural aspects (actor, chorus, material organisation of the performance, agonal occasion, stage space, audience) and the history of the transmission of dramatic texts from the 'first' performance to the present day.

Through the reading of Euripides' Helena, the student will practise understanding a dramatic text from the classical age in its rhetorical-communicative, metric-musical, thematic, and historical-literary dimensions and in terms of theatrical dynamics.

The course will begin (weeks I-II) with a general introduction to Attic theatre, in its historical-evolutionary aspects (from the initial phases to the moment of maturity), and historical-cultural aspects (society, historical events), as well as in its material aspects (the form of the theatre building, the mask, the actors) and dramaturgical aspects (stage space, theatrical machines, roles and movements on stage).

It will continue (week III) by illustrating the figure and work of Euripides, whose tragedy will be the specific object of reading and analysis.

The remaining portion of the course (weeks III-VI) will be entirely dedicated to the reading of Helena, whose text will be translated and commented on from a historical-cultural point of view regarding plot and scenic-dramaturgical aspects and stage communication.

A preliminary knowledge of ancient Greek is not required.

The student will be guided to an essential knowledge of Classical Greek theatre, and to the ability to independently read a classical theatrical text with the complexity it involves.

From the point of view of the information obtained, the student will acquire an in-depth knowledge of issues relating to the transmission of the text, its performance and representation on the stage, the treatment of the plot in relation to the mythographical tradition.

More generally, the process of analytical reading of the chosen text will have important consequences on the student's ability to deal proficiently with independent, rigorous reading of every kind of source (literary, historiographical, etc.), and to develop analytical skills of close reading, synthesis and critical thinking on the data and sources.

From the educational point of view, the students will deepen their awareness of specific methodological aspects characterising literary research and, in particular, his/her dramatic and aesthetic sensitivity to the formal aspects of the poetic and rhetorical and, namely, theatrical discourse.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The teaching materials provided by the lecturer, in addition to the recommended texts (such as slides, handouts, exercises, bibliography) and the lecturer's specific communications for the course, can be found on the Moodle platform, blended.uniurb.it.

Teaching

Front lessons and teaching material in blended mode

Innovative teaching methods

Discussion and seminars

Attendance

To be counted as “attending”, students must participate in at least 50% of teaching hours and, for example, have completed any classwork, exercises or other activities the lecturer organised during the course.

Course books

1. Reference edition for the text read and commented on in class (mandatory):

Euripides, Elena, edited by M. Fusillo, BUR, Milan 1997 and subsequent reprints

2. Reference Manual (mandatory)

Anna Maria Belardinelli, Lo spettacolo teatrale dei Greci. Tecniche drammatiche e messa in scena, Città di Castello, Le Monnier Università, 2023

3. Supplementary readings (mandatory)

 a. The student is required to read one of the following books:

- Il mito di Elena, a cura di M. Bettini, C. Brillante, Einaudi, Torino 2014 (2002)

- Elena. Variazioni sul mito. Euripide, Hofmannsthal, Ritsos, a cura di F. Donadi, marsilio, Venezia 2008 (2005)

b. The student is required to read the following works of ancient theatre in Italian translation:

Euripide, Ione

Euripide, Alcesti

Aristofane, Tesmoforiazuse

Assessment

The assessment of learning will take the form of an individual oral interview based on the reference texts for the examination. It is intended to assess both the student's learning of the contents and his or her ability to rework and argue.

The following will be assessed as excellent: the student's possession of good critical and in-depth skills; the ability to link together the main themes addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with respect to the specific nature of the discipline.

The following will result in fair marks: the student's possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relative critical capacity and the ability to connect the topics dealt with; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient marks will be awarded: the student's attainment of a minimal knowledge of the topics dealt with, even in the presence of some formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

The following will result in negative assessments: difficulties in the orientation of the student with regard to the topics dealt with in the examination texts; formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Blended learning will be activated.

Attendance

The student is required to observe carefully the program indicated in the syllabus.

In case of specific needs, requiring a variation of the indicated program, the student should contact the teacher to arrange an alternative program.

Course books

In order to give students who do not attend classes the opportunity to compensate for what is covered during lessons through independent study, the following materials relating to the same programme content are recommended to promote full understanding.:

1. Reference edition for the text read and commented on in class (mandatory):

Euripides, Elena, edited by M. Fusillo, BUR, Milan 1997 and subsequent reprints

2. Reference Manual (mandatory)

Anna Maria Belardinelli, Lo spettacolo teatrale dei Greci. Tecniche drammatiche e messa in scena, Città di Castello, Le Monnier Università, 2023

3. Supplementary readings (mandatory)

 a. The student is required to read one of the following books:

- Il mito di Elena, a cura di M. Bettini, C. Brillante, Einaudi, Torino 2014 (2002)

- Elena. Variazioni sul mito. Euripide, Hofmannsthal, Ritsos, a cura di F. Donadi, marsilio, Venezia 2008 (2005)

b. The student is required to read the following works of ancient theatre in Italian translation:

Euripide, Ione

Euripide, Alcesti

Aristofane, Tesmoforiazuse

Assessment

The assessment of learning will take the form of an individual oral interview based on the reference texts for the examination. It is intended to assess both the student's learning of the contents and his or her ability to rework and argue.

The following will be assessed as excellent: the student's possession of good critical and in-depth skills; the ability to link together the main themes addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with respect to the specific nature of the discipline.

The following will result in fair marks: the student's possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relative critical capacity and the ability to connect the topics dealt with; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient marks will be awarded: the student's attainment of a minimal knowledge of the topics dealt with, even in the presence of some formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

The following will result in negative assessments: difficulties in the orientation of the student with regard to the topics dealt with in the examination texts; formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

The texts indicated in the supplementary readings will be uploaded by the teacher in pdf format on the Moodle platform (blended.uniurb.it).

This course does not differentiate between “attending” and “non-attending” students with regard to teaching methods, attendance obligations, course books or assessment.