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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of History, Classics and Archaeology : Postgraduate (History, Classics and Archaeology)

Postgraduate Course: Classics: Greek Vase Painting (PGHC11172)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of History, Classics and Archaeology CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryA detailed study of Greek vases--their fabric, ornament, artisans, market, function, and social context - from the Geometric through the late Classical periods, c. 750 - 340 B.C. using both traditional and more theoretical methods (e.g., iconology, semiotics, gender studies, socio-historical issues).
Course description A detailed study of Greek vases - their fabric, ornament, artisans, market, function, and social context - from the Geometric through the late Classical periods, c. 750 - 340 B.C. using both traditional and more theoretical methods (e.g., iconology, semiotics, gender studies, socio-historical issues). Although the focus will be on Attic vases, i.e., those produced in Athens, the course will also examine vessels from elsewhere in the Greek world, including Laconia, Asia Minor, the islands, and South Italy. Questions of interest include: why do certain images appear on certain vessels in particular contexts? How do different painters represent a given myth and why? What are "genre" scenes in Greek vase painting, and how do they function? What does repetition on a given vase mean? What is the relationship between Greek vase painting and other ancient media, including metalware and monumental wall painting? How does the portable and three-dimensional nature of vases affect their imagery? What is the relationship between text, both on and off the vase, and image? How can vases illuminate our knowledge of the role of the artist and patron, Greek religion, perceptions of gender roles and sexuality, social hierarchy, and politics? Readings include both ancient authors and modern scholarship.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. research skills in classical archaeology
  2. in-depth knowledge of key monuments and issues of Greek vase painting
  3. a greater understanding of Greek religion and history
  4. the ability to collate and understand methodological difficulties in reading archaeological and written sources, both ancient and modern
  5. skills to analyze material and written sources for the ancient world and to craft and express arguments in written form
Reading List
Bérard, C. et al. 1989. A City of Images: Iconography and Society in Ancient Greece, trans. D. Lyons

Boardman, J. 2001. The History of Greek Vases. London

Langdon, S. 2008. Art and Identity in Dark Age Greece, 1100--700 B.C.E. Cambridge

Lapatin, K., ed. 2008. Papers on Special Techniques in Athenian Vases. Los Angeles

Noble, J. V. 1988 (reprint of 1966 edition). The Techniques of Painted Attic Pottery. London

Oakley, J. 2004. Picturing Death in Classical Athens: The Evidence of the White Lekythoi. Cambridge

Oakley, J. 2009. "State of the Discipline: Greek Vase Painting." AJA 113: 599-627

Rasmussen, T. and N. Spivey, eds. 1991. Looking at Greek Vases. Cambridge

Rystedt, E. and B. Wells, eds. 2006. Pictorial Pursuits: Figurative Painting on Mycenaean and Geometric Pottery. Stockholm

Scheffer, C., ed. 2001. Ceramics in Context. Stockholm

Schmaltz, B. et al., eds. 2003. Griechische Keramik im kulturellen Kontext. Münster

Sparkes, B.A. 1996. The Red and the Black: Studies in Greek Pottery. London and New York

Steiner, A. 2007. Reading Greek Vases. Cambridge

Tsingarida, A. ed. 2009. Shapes and Uses of Greek Vases (7th - 4th centuries B.C.). Bruxelles
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsGreek Vase Painting
Contacts
Course organiserProf Judith Barringer
Tel: (0131 6)50 3584
Email: J.M.Barringer@ed.ac.uk
Course secretary
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