Guide to assessment items

Guidelines for preparing the assessment tasks as well as assessment criteria are available on iLearn. The assessment tasks are compulsory in this unit. Each assessment task has a due date and students are expected to submit their work on time.

Assessment Task 1: Analysis of a Myth

For this task, students are asked to analyse a myth of their choice based on one of three topics (listed on iLearn). The analysis should be 1000 words in length (plus or minus 10%) to be submitted via Turnitin by 11:59pm on the due date. Your analysis must focus on the ancient material with reference to secondary literature to support your interpretation. A bibliography of all modern and ancient sources is required. Additional guides, including marking rubrics, will be available on iLearn. 

On successful completion, you will be able to: 

• Demonstrate knowledge of select representative examples of myths from the ancient world;
• Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts and approaches used in the study;
• Analyse source material, including ancient sources and modern scholarship; and
• Create and communicate evidence-based critical and reflective judgements of ancient mythical material. 

Assessment Task 2: Short-answer test

For this task, students will be asked to provide short-form responses to a series of 20 questions. Students will be asked to complete the assessment for a 1 hour timeframe in week 9. The questions will be based on material covered in the weekly lecture topics, and the quiz will be completed on iLearn. Further detailed instructions will be provided on the iLearn site.

On successful completion, you will be able to: 

• Demonstrate knowledge of the mythical content studied in weeks 1-9 of the unit;
• Engage with theoretical approaches to the study of myth in historical contexts; and
• Communicate effective summaries of ancient material in an accessible format.

Assessment Task 3: Essay

For this task, students will be required to choose a prompt to respond to in formal essay format (prompts will be available on iLearn, and will be based around the topics explored throughout the unit). The essay should be 2000 words in length (plus or minus 10%) to be submitted via Turnitin by 11:59pm on the due date. A bibliography of all modern and ancient sources is required. Additional guides, including marking rubrics, will be available on iLearn. 

On successful completion, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of select representative examples of myths from the ancient world;
• Identify and apply theoretical approaches in the study of myth;
• Analyse source material, including both ancient sources and modern scholarship;
• Create and communicate evidence-based critical and reflective judgements of ancient mythical material; and
• Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical and analytical argument in essay form. 

Special Consideration

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 5 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.59pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. Extensions for the submission for assessed work need to be submitted online (convenors and tutors are not permitted to grant you an extension). The link to locate relevant information and to request Special Consideration can be found via this link Special Consideration - Eligibility | MQ Sydney. 

Word Limit Penalty

A penalty of 5% will be applied to assessment submissions that are under or over the stated length by more than 10%.

Unit Requirements and Expectations

Classes

For lecture/tutorial times and classrooms, please consult the MQ Timetable website. This website will display up-to-date information on your classes. For any variations on this information, please consult the iLearn website (which is accessible at the commencement of teaching session).

1. Lectures: There are two hours per week of recorded lectures for 12 weeks of the session. It is expected that all students will audit all of the lectures (labelled REQUIRED) over the session. We shall expect you to discuss these topics in the assessments. 
2. Tutorials and Discussion Forum: There is a tutorial (for Internal students) and a Discussion Forum (for External Students) for 13 weeks of the session. 

Required and Recommended Texts

The areas covered in this unit are too broad for a single set text. Students will, however, be asked to readings (including translations of ancient primary sources) through Leganto which will be used for specific tutorials, in lectures and in assessment preparation. It will be made available electronically on the iLearn site.

Unit schedule will be provided on iLearn one week before tutorials commence. 

Some ammendments have been made to unit offerings (specifically topics for written tasks) in session 2, 2025. 

This unit is intended for all students, including those with mental or physical disabilities, illness, injuries, impairments, or any other condition that tends to negatively affect one’s equal access to education. If, at any point in the session, you find yourself not able to fully access the space, content, and experience of this course, you are welcome (but not required) to contact the unit convener. It is never too late to request accommodations.

For students with accessibility requirements, you are encouraged to contact Accessibility Services to ensure that we, as an institution, are supporting your learning. By making a plan through Accessibility Services, you can ensure accommodation without disclosing any information to your course convenors.

There are also a range of resources on campus that serve to support and improve student learning and wellbeing, including the Learning Skills Unit, Peer Support programs, resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, English Language support, and Student Wellbeing support and resources. Please reach out to these programs or contact the unit convener directly for further information.