CLAS 251 - Ancient World in Cinema

Institution:

Catholic University of America

Subject:

Classics

Description:

Orpheus, commonly regarded as the archetypal poet-singer, has long been associated with cinema; in the early years of this relatively young art form, "Orpheum" was a common name for a movie theater. This course will first clarify the breadth and depth of the character of Orpheus in antiquity before proceeding to explore the cinema's persistent fascination with the mythological character and with "Orphism" (a very broad aesthetic concept). In some cases the identity of Orpheus in film is explicit (through the title) and obvious, although the particulars of any given "Orpheus" will vary considerably; in others, such as Vertigo (1958) or Avatar (2009), the Orphic nature of a central character, or even the "Orphism" of a film itself, may not be immediately apparent but is, nonetheless, a key component of the film's artistry. Films chosen for viewing and discussion will come from a variety of eras, genres, and national backgrounds.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.cua.edu

Phone Number:

(202) 319-5000

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

The Course Profile information is provided and updated by third parties including the respective institutions. While the institutions are able to update their information at any time, the information is not independently validated, and no party associated with this website can accept responsibility for its accuracy.