CLAS 2032 - Classical Mythology

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

This course explores what myths are and which methods of interpretation can assist in trying to understand them better: myths are ways to grapple with life's mysteries and problems by telling stories. The course provides insight into the definition of myth, the changing role of myth and mythical thought in Greek and Roman society, but also how myth operates today. In addition, it offers an opportunity to apply modern theories (e.g. the structuralism of Levy-Strauss; Jung's archetypes) to ancient myths. Mythic themes include Creation myths (cosmology), heroes, Centaurs and Amazons, monsters, the labyrinth and the underworld. Myth in film will also be covered.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CLAS 2032
    Course Classical Mythology
    Coordinating Unit Classics, Archaeology and Ancient History
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of level 1 Arts courses
    Incompatible CLAS 2004 or CLAS 3004
    Assessment 2 x 1,400 word papers (20% each), 5 tutorial summaries (20%), 2 hour exam or 2,500 word academic journal (40%)
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Jacqueline Clarke

    Dr Jacqueline Clarke (Course Coordinator)

    Professor Han Baltussen

    Dr Silke Sitzler
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

    1. Appreciate the nature and the value of myth
    2. Apply and evaluate theoretical approaches to myth
    3. Explain how Classical myth functioned within and contributed to ancient social structures and ways of thought
    4. Apply Classical myths and mythological ways of thinking to modern day society
    5. Skilfully analyse, evaluate and compare ancient (’primary’) literary evidence and modern (‘secondary’) theories and reconstructions, both on myths and on literature
    6.   Deliver coherently and logically argued written material which has a scholarly approach to analysis and presentation of ideas
































    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2, 3
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 5
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 2, 4, 6
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 4, 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Anthology of Classical Myth: Primary Sources in Translation eds Trzaskoma, Smith and Brunet (Hackett, Indianapolis, 2004)
    Recommended Resources
    Good general introductions to Classical myth can be found in pp. 3-41 of Stephen L. Harris and Gloria Platzner: Classical Mythology: Images and Insights (Mountain View, Calif. 1995) and pp. 1-51 of William Hansen: Classical Mythology (Oxford 2004).

    If students are not familiar with the figures from Classical myth they might also purchase a dictionary of Classical Mythology. Some copies of the Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology (Harmondsworth 1990) should be available from Unibooks.
    Online Learning
    The powerpoints and recordings of lectures with be placed on MyUni.
    Recordings, however, sometimes fail and students are advised not to rely on these as a sustitute for lecture attendance.

    Most of the reading material for each seminar will be placed on MyUni or information will be provided on how to access it.

    The seminar summaries and seminar essays will be submitted and marked online.

    Students are expected to consult the announcements board at least twice a week and must closely read all emails sent via MyUni.

    Guidelines to formatting footnotes and bibliography are placed upon MyUni. Students are expected to read and consult these.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The format of the course consists of two lectures per week supported by problem solving tutorials which develop topics covered in the lectures.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1 x 2 hour lecture per week 24 hours  per semester
    1 x 1 hour tutorial per week (or equivalent) 12 hours per semester
    5 hours reading per week 60 hours per semester
    4 hours written work per week 48 hours per semester
    1 hour revision per week 12 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Besides the lectures, the learning activities are largely centred around the tutorials which involve close reading of and discussion of a number of ancient texts and/or text excerpts that feature Classical myths and mythological figures. Topics include creation myths, studies of various deities such as Zeus, Prometheus, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, various heroic figures such as Heracles and Theseus and mythical monsters such as Medusa and the Minotaur. Mythic depictions in art and film will also be explored.

    Specific Course Requirements
    In order to facilitate discussion, students are expected to bring the relevant primary source texts or text excerpts to each tutorial.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Many tutorials will contain an element of small group discovery (for instance group analysis and application of mythic theories, analysis and evaluation of mythic archetypes and stories). Some lectures may also experiment with small group discovery activities.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    1400 word essay Formative and summative 20% 1-4
    1400 word essay Formative and summative 20% 1-4
    Tutorial summaries of 150 words each Formative and summative 20% 1
    Exam or a 2500 word academic journal Largely summative (can also be formative as feedback is available on request) 40% 1-4
    Assessment Related Requirements

    Students are expected to attend the lectures and seminars.

    Tutorial topics will be allocated at an introductory tutorial. One of the papers must be chosen from the topics in weeks 3-7, the second from the topics in weeks 8-12. There will be a limit of the number of students who can write on each topic (a maximum of six students for each topic).

    Students are required to read the primary sources and primary source excerpts for all the seminars in preparation for the discussion that will occur. They are also required to bring the relevant primary sources or primary source excerpts to the seminars to refer to them during the discussion.

    For the academic journals and seminar essays, students are expected to follow the guidelines to footnotes and bibliographies set out in the course handbook and on MyUni.

    Assessment Detail
    1400 word essay 1: students submit a seminar essay chosen from the topics in the first half of the
    course.

    1400 word essay 2: students submit a seminar essay chosen from the topics in the second half of the course.

    The tutorial summaries are a succinct 'answer' to the seminar topics. They cannot be on seminars for which a paper is submitted. They must be submitted within 48 hours of the seminar.

    Academic Journal: This should be a weekly record of students' personal reflection on the material they encounter, through their
    reading and in other ways, and the issues they raise. There should be evidence that they (a) have read the texts and what is in the reader (but they should also reflect on works not contained therein which they have found themselves) and (b) there should be some sign of an evolution and deepening of thoughtabout myths and the roles which they play in ancient literature as thesemester proceeds.

    Exam: covers all aspects of the course.
    Submission
    The essays and seminar summaries are to be submitted online via MyUni. the essays must be submitted before the tutorial on that topic is held, the summaries within 48 hours of the tutorial.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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