CLASSICS 110G : Classical Mythology

Arts

2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

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.

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, Tāne Mahuta, 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

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: University

Learning Outcomes

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

Assessments

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

Next offered

Semester 1, 2020

Learning Resources

Coursebook of set readings, available through UBIQ on campus.

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.

Other Information

This course is part of the Classical Studies and Ancient History major.

Digital 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.

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 against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

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 at 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.

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.

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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 19/12/2019 12:07 p.m.