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Contexts for Ancient History

Key information

  • Module code:

    5AACHI97

  • Level:

    5

  • Semester:

      Spring

  • Credit value:

    15

Module description

Topic: Ancient Greek Sexuality

Ancient ideas of sex and sexuality were often dramatically different to those found in the modern world. Yet, at the same time, those ideas have had a significant influence on the modern world, even down to creating our modern terminology. In this module we will examine attitudes to sexuality across a wide range of sources from the archaic and classical Greek world, including literary, artistic, and historical texts, to develop an understanding of ancient Greek attitudes to sex and sexuality. In the final weeks we will consider modern receptions of two key examples of ancient sexuality, to consider the ways in which modern attitudes shape the ways in which we now think about Greek sexuality. Students will have the chance to examine both ancient evidence and modern debates, and to consider the ways in which our own modern attitudes shed different light on ideas of sexuality found in the ancient material.   

Assessment details

2,500 word essay (100%)

Educational aims & objectives

Knowledge

The course is intended to give students knowledge of:

  • the texts and materials which relate to the study of gender and sexuality in Ancient Greece
  • ancient debates and discourses of sexuality
  • modern debates about and receptions of ancient sexuality and the use of ancient material to support different argumentative positions.

Analysis and Critique

The course is intended to enable students:

  • to assess ancient and modern debates critically
  • to construct their own arguments based on their assessment of modern debates and ancient materials
  • to communicate their ideas in the form of written essays
  • to engage in constructive debate with other members of the group, defending and/or modifying their arguments.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

By the end of this course students will have knowledge of:

  • the texts and materials which relate to the study of gender and sexuality in Ancient Greece
  • ancient debates and discourses of sexuality
  • modern debates about and receptions of ancient sexuality and the use of ancient material to support different argumentative positions.

Analysis and Critique

By the end of this course students will be able:

  • to assess ancient and modern debates critically
  • to construct their own arguments based on their assessment of modern debates and ancient materials
  • to communicate their ideas in the form of written essays
  • to engage in constructive debate with other members of the group, defending and/or modifying their arguments.

Teaching pattern

10 x 1 hour lecture and 10 x 1 hour seminar (weekly)

Suggested reading list

Halperin, D.M. and Zeitlin, F.I., 1990. Before sexuality: The construction of erotic experience in the ancient Greek world. Princeton University Press.

Johnson, M., 2022. Sexuality in Greek and Roman society and literature: a sourcebook. Routledge.

Arthur-Katz, M., 1989. Sexuality and the body in ancient Greece. Mètis. Anthropologie des mondes grecs anciens, 4(1), pp.155-179.

Ormand, K., 2008. Controlling desires: sexuality in ancient Greece and Rome. Bloomsbury Publishing USA.

Orrells, D., 2015. Sex: Antiquity and Its Legacy. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Skinner, M.B., 2013. Sexuality in Greek and Roman culture. John Wiley & Sons.

Winkler, J.J., 2013. The constraints of desire: The anthropology of sex and gender in ancient Greece. Routledge.

Subject areas

Department


Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.