Module manager: Emma Stafford
Email: E.J.Stafford@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
| CLAS3450 | Screening Antiquity |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module is suitable for Level 2 students with some basic knowledge of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. It aims to introduce students to representations of, and allusions to, antiquity on the big and small screens. Both historical and mythological topics are considered, such as Hercules and the fall of Troy and the rise and fall of the Roman empire, with a particular emphasis on artistic and other motivations for the adaptation of narrative. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The aim of this module is to provide students with an insight into the historical/ mythical background behind a range of popular figures and stories from the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, and to allow them to appreciate the complex ways in which these figures/stories have been represented and manipulated in twentieth- and twenty-first-century screen media.
The module will:
• present a broad history of representations of, and allusions to, the ancient Greek and Roman worlds on screen, from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day, and an appreciation of the significance of such representations for the reception of Classics.
• explain the ancient historical and/or mythological background to a selection of on-screen representations of the ancient world, and its transmission across time.
• show how various modern factors can affect on-screen representations of antiquity, including contemporary political or socio-historical contexts, the influence of earlier films, and creative imperatives.
• introduce students to the main methods of enquiry into film and television.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Discuss the history of representations of, and allusions to, the ancient Greek and Roman worlds on screen.
2. Identify and explain the ways in which specific stories from the ancient world have been adapted for treatment in modern film/TV, identifying a range of influential factors and assessing their relative significance.
3. Analyse a range of relevant media and construct arguments based on this analysis.
4. Communicate analysis and interpretations of the media clearly.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Write to a brief in a form that observes defined parameters.
6. Gather, evaluate and use information from secondary sources.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 17 | 1 | 17 |
| Seminar | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Private study hours | 176 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 24 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Oral feedback will be given on formative seminar discussions throughout the module. Feedback on the first assessment will be returned in good time to inform the second.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Poster presentation with reflective commentary | 50 |
| Coursework | Essay | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team