This course explores the vibrant world of Greco-Roman myth and its relationship to ancient literature, history, culture, and art. It covers some of the foundational stories of the ancient world from Hesiod's origins of the universe, the epics of Homer and the Homeric Hymns, through the myths of the Athenian stage, to the traditions of early Rome. It examines the contexts in which these stories were told in antiquity, and how they could be manipulated to suit new uses and captivate new audiences. Students will engage with literary versions and visual representations of myths; study the role of myth in history, religion, and politics; analyse Greco-Roman myths in comparison to those of other cultures; and explore the enduring popularity of this material in more recent times, both in cultural expressions and in the theoretical approaches to myth developed by modern scholars.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- display knowledge of some of the most prominent stories from the Greco-Roman tradition;
- demonstrate familiarity with a range of ancient literary and iconographical sources for classical myth;
- analyse how different literary and material contexts influenced the variety of classical myth; and
- discuss critically how storytelling and approaches to myth are products of specific cultural contexts.
Examination Material or equipment
The examination is closed book. No notes or reference material will be permitted.
Required Resources
No textbook required. Readings for tutorials will be provided on Wattle.
Recommended Resources
No prior knowledge is expected. A list of recommended reading will be available via the Wattle page. The Classics Centre (downstairs in AD Hope) has a good collection of books on classical topics, and is a hub for student activities.
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:- Written comments
- Verbal comments
- Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.Other Information
Precise lecture schedule is subject to change depending on teaching staff. Final schedule will be published on the CLAS1003 Wattle site.
Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
---|---|---|
1 | Lecture: Course Introduction; What is myth? (TB)Tutorial Topic: Course Introduction, Library Resources, Thinking about myth | |
2 | Lecture: How to read a myth: approaches to mythology (EA)Tutorial Topic: Heracles | |
3 | Lecture: Myth and Materiality: iconography, artefacts & spaces (EA)Tutorial Topic: Myth and Artefacts [tutorial in the ANU Classics Museum] | |
4 | Lecture: Myth and Ritual I [recorded lecture]Tutorial Topic: No tutorial [reading week; preparation for source analysis] | Source analysis due |
5 | Lecture: Telling mythoi: poets, story worlds, epic cycles (EA)Tutorial Topic: Odysseus (+ Polyphemus) | |
6 | Lecture: Mythic receptions old and new (AG)Tutorial Topic: Achilles | Essay on topic 1 due |
7 | Lecture: Fact vs Fiction? Myth and History I (EA)Tutorial Topic: Alexander the Great | |
8 | Lecture: Myth and the City [recorded lecture]Tutorial Topic: No tutorial [reading Antigone] | Essay on topic 3 due |
9 | Lecture: Myth and Ritual II (EA)Tutorial Topic: Demeter + Persephone | |
10 | Lecture: Being Human: Comparative Mythology (EA)Tutorial Topic: Pandora and Prometheus | Essay on topic 4 due |
11 | Lecture: Roman Origin Myths: Myth and History II (CD)Tutorial Topic: Dido and Aeneas | Essay on topic 5 due |
12 | Lecture: (Per)Versions of Roman Myth (AG)Tutorial Topic: Exam preparation | Essay on topic 6 due |
13 | SWOT VAC |
Tutorial Registration
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|
Tutorial Participation (10%) | 10 % | 1,2,3,4 |
Source Analysis (15%) | 15 % | 1,2,3,4 |
Essay (40%) | 40 % | 1,2,3,4 |
Final Exam (35%) | 35 % | 1,2,3,4 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Tutorial Participation (10%)
Active engagement with the material of this course is crucial to successful learning. Students will be assessed on their participation in the 12 tutorials in the course.
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Source Analysis (15%)
Due Friday of Week 4. Students are required to write a source analysis of a text or an artefact of approx. 750 words. More information and guidance will be given on this task during tutorials 1, 2, and 3.
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Essay (40%)
Students will be expected to write only one 2000-word research essay on a topic relating to the tutorial material of weeks 4 to 11 and chosen in the first tutorial. Rolling due dates apply. The essay will be due on the Friday of the week following the tutorial in which the topic that the essay relates to is discussed. Please see the Wattle site for further details and come to Tutorial 1 to receive your essay topic.
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Final Exam (35%)
Two-hour exam to be held during the end-of-semester exam period. More information will be provided closer to the exam period.
Duration: 2 hours + 15 minutes reading time.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.Online Submission
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.Late Submission
Assessment Tasks 2 and 3. Late submission is permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension is penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.
Assessment Tasks 1 and 4. Late submission is not permitted. Late submission is not accepted for examinations. A mark of 0 will be awarded for these late assignments. Late submission is also not accepted for tutorial participation
Referencing Requirements
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.Returning Assignments
Assessments will be returned via Wattle.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.Resubmission of Assignments
Resubmission is not permitted.
Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
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Dr Tatiana Bur
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Instructor
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Alex Grigor
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Dr Edward Armstrong
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Instructor
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Research Interests |
Dr Tatiana Bur
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