Postgraduate

CLAS414
Art and Literature from Homer to Aristotle
Description
Today, all over the world, Greek dramas continue to be performed and adapted; Homer’s epics are forever finding new audiences through new translations, adaptations and interpretation on film and TV; and Greek art attracts millions of people worldwide to galleries, museums and archaeological sites. But what did these works mean to the ancients themselves? In what ways did the Greeks link visual and verbal artforms to other issues such as psychology, ethics, politics and desire? Are modern ways of viewing these ancient works compatible with ancient responses to them? Some answers to these and other related questions can be found in looking at ancient writings about the visual and verbal arts in Archaic and Classical Greece, and ancient artefacts and inscriptions. This course analyses Greek views of visual imagery (primarily paintings and statues), poetry and rhetoric in the Archaic and Classical Greek world (c. 750-320 BC). Over this period many of the most influential developments in these media were achieved, and critical thinking about art, language and poetry first burgeoned. The very terms that have become central to our way of categorising and thinking about visual, verbal and aural artforms - music, poetry, lyric, epic, tragedy, comedy, drama, rhetoric, graphics, mimesis, icon, idol - are all Greek in origin, thus indicating the importance of the Greeks’ pioneering achievements as practitioners and theorists in these areas.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026 (The Arts Centre Christchurch)
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
CLAS326
CLAS416
Prescribed Texts: Latin
Description
A variety of Latin texts, for translation and critical analysis.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026 (The Arts Centre Christchurch)
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
CLAS425
Roman Social History
Description
A study into Roman society, focusing on the day-to-day life of Rome's inhabitants. Topics may include familial relationships, health and wellbeing, urban infrastructure, occupations, bars, nocturnal lighting and events, floods, fires, travel, among others. What emerges are insights that will fascinate and in some cases surprise.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of Head of Department
Restrictions
CLAS325
CLAS480
BA (Hons) Essay
Description
A substantial piece of work on a particular topic.
Occurrences
Whole Year 2026 (The Arts Centre Christchurch)
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
CLAS660
MA Dissertation
Description
MA Dissertation
Occurrences
Approved Start 2026
Semester One 2026
Semester Two 2026
Points
60 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
CLAS690
MA Thesis
Occurrences
Approved Start 2026
Points
120 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

Not Offered Courses in 2026

Postgraduate

CLAS415
Prescribed Texts: Greek
Description
A variety of Greek texts, for translation and critical analysis.
Occurrences
CLAS415-26S1 (A)
Semester One 2026 (The Arts Centre Christchurch) - Not offered
For further information see CLAS415 course details
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.