Module manager: Dr Emma Stafford
Email: E.J.Stafford@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
There are no formal prerequisites for this module, but a basic level of knowledge of the ancient Greek world will be assumed. This might have been acquired via an A-level in Classical Civilisation or Ancient History, via a Classics Level 1 or 2 module at Leeds (e.g. CLAS1300 Greek World, CLAS1610 After Troy, CLAS2700 Homer’s Iliad), or via private study. Students unsure about the suitability of their prior experience should consult the module leader before enrolling.
| CLAS2680 | Greek Art and Society |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module aims to introduce you to Greek art of the archaic and classical periods (c.800-330 BC), covering vase-painting, free-standing and architectural sculpture. Technical and stylistic developments are outlined, but the emphasis of the module is on placing the works of art in their social and cultural context. 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.
This module aims to introduce the student to Greek art from the Geometric to the late classical period. Technical and stylistic developments in vase-painting, free-standing and architectural sculpture are outlined, but the emphasis of the module is on placing the works of art in their social and cultural context. Lectures follow a roughly chronological progression. In the first half of the module we cover the archaic period, looking at vase-painting from the emergence of figure scenes in the eighth century BC, through the developments of Attic black-figure and early red-figure, alongside developments in free-standing and architectural sculpture, from the earliest stylised figures of the late seventh and sixth centuries BC to the beginnings of naturalism in the early fifth. In the second half of the module we cover the classical period, looking at the red-figure vase-painting of later fifth-century Athens and fourth-century South Italy, alongside fifth- and fourth-century developments in free-standing sculpture, as well as the architectural sculpture of such well known buildings as the temple of Zeus at Olympia and the Parthenon at Athens. Some thematic lectures take a broader view e.g. of the development of funerary art over both the archaic and classical periods. Seminars allow us to discuss in more depth issues such as techniques for the visual expression of narrative, the meanings of free-standing sculpture, and the transhistorical significance of the Parthenon Marbles. We also make use of local resources, such as the University’s own small collection of Greek antiquities.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject, being able to:
1. Analyse the materials, techniques and concepts which are standard features of Greek art in order to demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the subject.
2. Employ a wide variety of methods of enquiry in Greek art history, and critically evaluate the appropriateness of these methods to the study of different media and topics.
3. Evaluate the place of artists and their work in the Greek world, and the significance of visual imagery for our understanding of Greek society.
4. Identify and provide detailed analysis of individual examples of Greek vase-painting and sculpture, relating individual works of art to their social-historical context.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes, being able to:
5. Critically analyse and synthesize information from a wide range of primary sources and secondary scholarship, applying appropriate methodologies to evaluate their reliability and significance.
6. Demonstrate advanced problem-solving and reflective thinking by addressing the challenges of interpreting incomplete and fragmentary evidence and proposing reasoned solutions.
7. Communicate persuasively through clear, structured, and well-supported written arguments.
In addition to broader/transferable skills, students will have had the opportunity to acquire the following subject-specific skills:
- ability to identify the shapes and decorative techniques of Greek pottery of different periods/places;
- ability to identify Greek sculpture, both free-standing and architectural, of different periods/places;
- ability to analyse the different types of visual narrative presented by Greek art;
- ability to assess the social significance of individual examples of Greek art.
This module aims to introduce the student to Greek art from the Geometric to the late classical period. Technical and stylistic developments in vase-painting, free-standing and architectural sculpture are outlined, but the emphasis of the module is on placing the works of art in their social and cultural context. Lectures follow a roughly chronological progression. In the first half of the module we cover the archaic period, looking at vase-painting from the emergence of figure scenes in the eighth century BC, through the developments of Attic black-figure and early red-figure, alongside developments in free-standing and architectural sculpture, from the earliest stylised figures of the late seventh and sixth centuries BC to the beginnings of naturalism in the early fifth. In the second half of the module we cover the classical period, looking at the red-figure vase-painting of later fifth-century Athens and fourth-century South Italy, alongside fifth- and fourth-century developments in free-standing sculpture, as well as the architectural sculpture of such well known buildings as the temple of Zeus at Olympia and the Pathenon at Athens. We conclude with three thematic lectures, on the development of monumental painting, funerary art and portraiture over both the archaic and classical periods. Fortnightly seminars will allow us to discuss in more depth issues such as techniques for the visual expression of narrative, the meanings of free-standing sculpture, and the transhistorical significance of the Parthenon Marbles. Optional additional sessions will make use of Leeds City Museum’s Ancient World gallery and the University’s own small collection of Greek antiquities.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 20 | 1 | 20 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Private study hours | 175 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 25 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Lectures and seminars provide a total of 25 hours contact time, with 2 hours of optional sessions. In addition, students are expected to do 175 hours of private study as follows:
- 3 hours of study per lecture (= 60): this time would typically be divided between reading of books and articles, pursuing of online resources, and note-taking.
- *2 extra hours reading if not attending optional museum/University-collection sessions.
- 3 hours preparation/follow-up for each seminar (= 15 hours).
- 68 hours planning, research and writing for the coursework essay.
- 35 hours revision for the end-of-semester exam.
Student progress will be informally monitored via participation in the seminar presentations and discussion. Opportunities will also be provided for one-to-one consultation via the lecturer’s weekly Drop-In times. Formal feedback will be provided on the first coursework assignment, which will inform the student’s work on the second assignment.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Artwork analysis | 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
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 48.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 09/05/2025
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