ANCIENT 110/110G : Classical Mythology

Arts

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A study of ancient mythology – its gods, heroes and monsters – through the works of major writers and artists from Greece and either Rome or Egypt.

Course Overview

A study of ancient Greek and Roman mythology - its gods, heroes and monsters - through the works of major writers and artists from the Greco-Roman world. We will cover major myths including the creation of the world, the deeds of Heracles, the story of Helen of Troy and the Trojan war, and the founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus. In addition we will consider the 'afterlife' of some Greek and Roman myths in art, literature and culture, including the Labours of Heracles, the Trojan Horse and the birth of Venus from the sea. Greco-Roman mythology will also be situated in a local perspective, considering similarities and differences with the traditional stories and figures of Aotearoa New Zealand such as Ranginui, Papatūānuku, Hine-nui-te-pō, and Māui.
Topics covered
  • Definitions of mythology
  • The roles that mythology played in ancient Greece and Rome
  • Myth cycles, including: the creation of the world, the roles, presence and functions of gods and goddesses, the deeds of heroes and heroines, and the relationships between the divine world and mortals
  • The transmission of myths by mouth, page and picture
  • The connection between Greek and Roman mythology and mythology in Aotearoa New Zealand

Course Requirements

Restriction: CLASSICS 110, 110G

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain and communicate social, cultural, and religious roles that mythology played in ancient Greece and Rome. (Capability 3)
  2. Compare and contrast the transmission of myths in oral and written form, including an appreciation of why specific versions of stories were constructed the way they were (considering e.g. genre, performance context, and audience). (Capability 4)
  3. Examine and describe the key differences and similarities between specific Greek myths and specific Maori myths in collaboration with peers. (Capability 6, 7 and 8)
  4. Effectively communicate in class discussions and online exercises, including contributing own knowledge of myths, story-telling and the transmission and production of knowledge. (Capability 6)
  5. Research, analyse and communicate specific myths from Greece and Rome, including evaluating their political, social, cultural, and religious meanings. (Capability 3, 4 and 6)
  6. Critically analyse primary sources for the myths in relation to secondary scholarship. (Capability 4 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework 50% Group & Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend on average 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of large classes, a 1 hour tutorial, and a total of 7 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and working on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.

Attendance on campus is not required for any tests or quizzes.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

All readings will be provided online through Canvas.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

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Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.