Participation refers to much more than simply being in attendance. In order to receive marks for participation, students must consistently demonstrate their commitment to the course by being well-prepared for all classes, and completing any required seminar reading and discussion preparation. Participation marks are also gained through active involvement, demonstrated by answering questions set for discussion, responding to peers as required, and showing consideration for fellow classmates and seminar moderator by behaving in a considerate and mature manner.

TWO (2) written assignments (Source Analyses) are to be submitted for assessment. Each will count for 10% of the final mark. The combined assessment weighting for this task is 20%. Preparation for each seminar is advised, since the material covered will be examined. Assignments must be submitted by midday on Mondays of the relevant week: they will NOT be accepted once online forum discussion has commenced. The length of this task should not exceed 900 words.

     Your analysis should be based firmly upon the ancient evidence, and should show an appreciation of what is primary evidence and what is secondary evidence.

     You will base your work principally on the material to be discussed in the pertinent week's seminar. Obviously, there is only so much you can say in 900 words. You should consider this an exercise in expressing yourself succinctly. When citing the ancient evidence upon which you are basing any observation, you may choose to cite it in parentheses (brackets) or you may choose to use footnotes. Any material in footnotes is not considered to be part of your word-length. As you will almost certainly know, historians of the ancient world consider footnotes to be a holding-place for material which you believe necessary to underpin your statements in the text of your source analysis; your response itself should be as trim as is possible. (Please note: That is the Unit convenor's attitude to footnotes! Some people don't like them. In future courses, you should ascertain the individual approach of your teachers in this regard - just to be on the safe side.)

     A bibliography of any modern works utilised must be provided.

Length: 1500 words (+/- 10%). It is expected that your answer to the essay question will demonstrate extensive consultation of the ancient sources listed in the Unit Guide. Bibliographies will provide you with a starting point for developing a reading list of secondary literature for the essay topic you have chosen. In order to locate further material (both ancient and modern) on particular topics or personalities, consult the footnotes and indices of modern works.

     In general, secondary literature should be consulted only by way of explaining the ancient sources or giving a broad perspective on the interpretation of the source material and, of course, all opinions included in the essay, whether quoted directly or paraphrased should be referenced according to the guidelines, Essay Presentation & Conventions: Style Guide, available from the Departmental office (W6A 540) or online at http://mq.edu.au/about_us/faculties_and_departments/faculty_of_arts/department_of_ancient_history/teaching_materials/.

Ensure you download the Full Version of the Essay Presentation Guide.

There will be a written examination in the examination period. The examination will take the form of ONE (1) compulsory source analysis question on the principal ancient literary sources used in the Unit and choosing TWO (2) essay questions from a selection of twelve (12) questions.