(The) Classics and Hollywood

Together we will investigate how movies have been inspired by the Classical past, focusing on larger themes that have been routinely appropriated by the industry (e.g., heroism, gender, “otherness,” war). It will combine the analysis of ancient texts and material culture with the exploration of cinematic adaptations of the very same theme across the decades. The nature of this course is multidisciplinary and will include a combination of lectures, open discussions, film viewing, readings, and writing and creative assignments based on critical appraisals of both texts and movies.