Students
AHIS140 – Myth in the Ancient World
2013 – S3 External
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Ian Plant
Contact via ian.plant@mq.edu.au
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| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides an introduction to Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Near-Eastern society and culture through the study of myth. The unit begins from the earliest creation myths and examines the development of myth in literature and art. The study is largely based upon Greek and Latin texts in translation as well as the representation of myth in art; Egyptian, Near-Eastern, and biblical texts are studied too. The unit focuses on the relevance of key themes in myth to the cultures in which the myths arose, investigating their roles in the religious, political and social life of the classical world.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Know aspects of at least two of the cultures studied in this unit which can be derived from the study of their myths
- Identify theoretical approaches taken in the study of myth
- Analyze source material, including ancient sources and modern scholarship; the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical essay
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Tutorial Quizzes | 10% | Friday Week 6: 5pm |
| Lecture Quizzes | 15% | Friday Week 6: 5pm |
| Tutorial Paper | 25% | Friday 5pm: Week of Topic |
| Essay | 50% | Friday Week 5: 5pm |
Tutorial Quizzes
Due: Friday Week 6: 5pm
Weighting: 10%
This task is to encourage students to prepare for the tutorial topics. Students are expected to discuss each tutorial topic online with each other and with their tutor. Five short questions that come from the questions asked in the tutorials must be completed in an online quiz. There is a quiz for each tutorial topic.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Know aspects of at least two of the cultures studied in this unit which can be derived from the study of their myths
- Identify theoretical approaches taken in the study of myth
Lecture Quizzes
Due: Friday Week 6: 5pm
Weighting: 15%
There are short online quizzes on the material covered in the lecture topics. Access to each quiz is through the unit’s website. You may take the quizzes at any time, but you may take each quiz only once. Maximum time allowed for each quiz is 30 mins (the quizzes are very short). These quizzes are instead of an exam: there is no formal examination for the unit. At 5pm on the Friday of week 6 the access to the quizzes will close and no further attempts will be possible.
You are advised to complete one quiz per week, after listening to the lectures for that week. It may be useful to have the lecture notes (pdf) open while you attempt the quiz. You have the flexibility in the course to take each quiz at any time up to the end of week 6 but please do note that access will be closed at the time specified above. Please do not start a quiz until you are ready to answer the questions! Last year some students opened a quiz to see how it worked: once opened the quiz must be completed as you may take each quiz only once.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Know aspects of at least two of the cultures studied in this unit which can be derived from the study of their myths
- Identify theoretical approaches taken in the study of myth
Tutorial Paper
Due: Friday 5pm: Week of Topic
Weighting: 25%
For each of the tutorial topics there is a short study guide containing details of essential and further reading together with a set of questions. These questions will be discussed in tutorial online in a weekly forum. You should choose ONE of the tutorials 2-12 and prepare written answers to the questions of no more than 1,000 words in total.
Make sure you have listened to the lectures relevant to the topic you have chosen and have read the ancient evidence for that topic.
Your tutorial paper must be based on the ancient evidence and engage with modern scholarship. By ‘modern scholarship’ we mean work published in academic journals or monographs. You will find readings suggested for each tutorial topic; in addition to your textbook, you are strongly advised to read the scholarship listed for that topic which is available in the library E-Reserve collection. Do not use general or encyclopedic style websites such as WIKIPEDIA as sources.
Your tutorial paper must reference the ancient evidence and secondary literature thoroughly. Please refer to the guide to referencing and essay presentation, available on the unit’s website.
You are also required to submit a bibliography of all ancient and modern items consulted.
Answers may be in point or note form. Address each of the questions in the tutorial and number your answers. Submissions which exceed the prescribed length will not be marked.
Number of tutorial exercises to be submitted: ONE tutorial exercise must be submitted. You may choose which week you wish to submit: any of 2-12 may be submitted. You are strongly recommended to choose and submit a topic before you need to submit your essay so that you may benefit from the feedback on your tutorial paper.
Date Due: Tutorial exercises are to be submitted by 5pm (Sydney time) of the Friday that your chosen topic is covered in the unit. So, for example, if you choose to submit tutorial 3 week 2, you must submit your assignment by 5pm on the Friday of week 2.
Submission: Submission is made electronically via the ‘assignment’ link on the unit’s webpage.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Know aspects of at least two of the cultures studied in this unit which can be derived from the study of their myths
- Identify theoretical approaches taken in the study of myth
- Analyze source material, including ancient sources and modern scholarship; the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge
Essay
Due: Friday Week 5: 5pm
Weighting: 50%
Write an essay of no more than 2000 words on ONE of the topics below.
· You must submit your essay on or before 5pm on the Friday of week 5.
· Label your work when you submit it in the following way:
§ Number of Question.Surname.Student ID number
§ (eg 4.Smith.9458767)
1. Discuss the extent to which theories of myth provide an explanation for Greek myth.
2. Discuss the extent to which Greek mythology was influenced by myths from other cultures.
3. Discuss the extent to which Roman mythology was influenced by myths from other cultures.
How to submit your essay
Your essay is to be submitted electronically through the TURNITIN submission link.
Upload your essay through the ESSAY SUBMISSION TURNITIN link in the assessment section on the unit's main page.
The essay is due by 5pm on Friday of week 5.
For further instructions on how to submit an assigment follow this link:
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Know aspects of at least two of the cultures studied in this unit which can be derived from the study of their myths
- Identify theoretical approaches taken in the study of myth
- Analyze source material, including ancient sources and modern scholarship; the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical essay
Delivery and Resources
1. Delivery mode
External
2. Lectures and tutorials
Lectures: Two lectures have been pre-recorded for each of the twelve topics in the course. These lectures are available on the unit's website. There are notes to accompany each lecture: these and a list of topics are on the webs ite too. You may listen to the recorded lectures at a time most convenient to you. There are no lectures to attend.
Tutorials: There are two tutorials for each of the six weeks of the cours e. The tutorials are conducted online with your tutor. The tutorial topics are found in the weekly schedule for the unit on the website. There is a summary list of lecture and tutorial topics on the website.
3. Online resources and requirements:
Access to the unit's webpage is essential. Online you will find: lectures, discussion of tutorial and lecture topics, essential unit information, the quizzes, contact with teaching staff.
The unit can be accessed online at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
A PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processingare also a requirement.
Please contact teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements .
4. Essential Textbook:
Ian Plant, Myth in the Ancient World (Palgrave Macmillan: Sydney, 2012).
There is reading set from this book for each tutorial. All ancient sources required for the tutorials are in the textbook.
5. Modern Scholarship:
For each tutorial, some modern scholarship has been chosen to supplement the textbook. These readings are available in E-Reserve through the Macquarie University Library’s website. You can access these readings online. Further reading may, of course, be found in the Macquarie Library too. Do not use unscholarly websites as sources (eg WIKIPEDIA).
Unit Schedule
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Week |
Topic |
Lectures |
Tutorial |
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1 |
1 |
A: What is Myth? B: Definitions of Myth. Ian Plant |
Preliminary Reading in tutorial booklet |
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2 |
A: External interpretations of myth. B: Internal interpretations of myth. Ian Plant |
The Greek Gods: Hesiod Theogony |
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2 |
3 |
A: Biblical and Mesopotamian Mythology. B: Genesis and Mesopotamian Creation Myths Stephen Llewelyn |
Alienation of the Divine: Hesiod Works and Days |
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4 |
A: The Near Eastern Context for the Biblical Myths. B: Mesopotamian and Biblical Flood Myths: Stephen Llewelyn |
The Flood Myth |
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Teaching Break: Christmas! |
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Special Holiday Topic The Christmas Stories Stephen Llewelyn |
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Teaching Break: Christmas! |
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3 |
5 |
A: Egyptian Creation Myths. B: Egyptian Creation and 'uncreation' myths. Boyo Ockinga |
Divine Women: Homeric Hymn to Demeter |
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6 |
A: Divine Kingship in Egypt B: Ancient Egyptian Kingship Myths. Boyo Ockinga |
Egyptian Funerary Myth |
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4 |
7 |
A: Amazons in Literature. B: Amazons in Art and History. Ian Plant |
Myth in Drama
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8 |
A: The Search for the Trojan War. B: History in Homer Ian Plant |
The Trojan War |
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5 |
9 |
A: Myth and Religion: Greek Myth, Ritual and Religion. B: Greek Heroes and Hero Cult in Athens. David Phillips |
The Hero |
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10 |
A: Roman Adoption of Greek Mythology. B: Roman Mythology. Tom Hillard |
Roman Legend
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6 |
11 |
A: Virgil's Life and Work B: Virgil and the Aeneid Mark Hebblewhite |
Roman Epic: Virgil |
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12 |
A: Ovid's Life and Work B: Ovid's Metamorphosis of myth Ian Plant |
Ovid & The Retelling of Myth |
Learning and Teaching Activities
Lecture Program
Tutorial Program
Writing Tasks
Reading Material
Quizzes
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at: http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
UniWISE provides:
- Online learning resources and academic skills workshops http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/
- Personal assistance with your learning & study related questions.
- The Learning Help Desk is located in the Library foyer (level 2).
- Online and on-campus orientation events run by Mentors@Macquarie.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/ses/.
IT Help
If you wish to receive IT help, we would be glad to assist you at http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the university's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students and it outlines what can be done.
Graduate Capabilities
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Analyze source material, including ancient sources and modern scholarship; the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical essay
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Paper
- Essay
Learning and teaching activities
- These are designed to allow the students to research, compose and articulate their understanding of the material studied. These tasks are designed to develop academic literacy, including research and writing skills. Formative feedback is provided.
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Know aspects of at least two of the cultures studied in this unit which can be derived from the study of their myths
- Analyze source material, including ancient sources and modern scholarship; the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical essay
Assessment task
- Essay
Learning and teaching activity
- The program of lectures will introduce the students to the subject matter of the course: key myths from the cultures studied and the theoretical approaches to the myths. Lectures will also direct students to further reading.
- These are designed to allow the students to research, compose and articulate their understanding of the material studied. These tasks are designed to develop academic literacy, including research and writing skills. Formative feedback is provided.
- The ancient sources are chosen to familiarize students with content and context. Modern scholarship is chosen to guide the reading of the ancient sources; it illustrates and contexualises modern approaches to the understanding of myth.
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Know aspects of at least two of the cultures studied in this unit which can be derived from the study of their myths
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Quizzes
- Lecture Quizzes
- Tutorial Paper
- Essay
Learning and teaching activities
- The program of lectures will introduce the students to the subject matter of the course: key myths from the cultures studied and the theoretical approaches to the myths. Lectures will also direct students to further reading.
- Tutorials take up topics introduced in the lectures and through a series of questions on set readings from the ancient sources help the students understand these sources and the theoretical approaches that are applied to their analysis.
- These are designed to allow the students to research, compose and articulate their understanding of the material studied. These tasks are designed to develop academic literacy, including research and writing skills. Formative feedback is provided.
- The ancient sources are chosen to familiarize students with content and context. Modern scholarship is chosen to guide the reading of the ancient sources; it illustrates and contexualises modern approaches to the understanding of myth.
- These are designed to encourage engagement with the content of the lectures and tutorials
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Identify theoretical approaches taken in the study of myth
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Quizzes
- Tutorial Paper
- Essay
Learning and teaching activities
- The program of lectures will introduce the students to the subject matter of the course: key myths from the cultures studied and the theoretical approaches to the myths. Lectures will also direct students to further reading.
- Tutorials take up topics introduced in the lectures and through a series of questions on set readings from the ancient sources help the students understand these sources and the theoretical approaches that are applied to their analysis.
- These are designed to allow the students to research, compose and articulate their understanding of the material studied. These tasks are designed to develop academic literacy, including research and writing skills. Formative feedback is provided.
- The ancient sources are chosen to familiarize students with content and context. Modern scholarship is chosen to guide the reading of the ancient sources; it illustrates and contexualises modern approaches to the understanding of myth.
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Analyze source material, including ancient sources and modern scholarship; the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Quizzes
- Lecture Quizzes
- Tutorial Paper
- Essay
Learning and teaching activities
- Tutorials take up topics introduced in the lectures and through a series of questions on set readings from the ancient sources help the students understand these sources and the theoretical approaches that are applied to their analysis.
- These are designed to allow the students to research, compose and articulate their understanding of the material studied. These tasks are designed to develop academic literacy, including research and writing skills. Formative feedback is provided.
- The ancient sources are chosen to familiarize students with content and context. Modern scholarship is chosen to guide the reading of the ancient sources; it illustrates and contexualises modern approaches to the understanding of myth.
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical essay
Assessment task
- Essay
Learning and teaching activity
- These are designed to allow the students to research, compose and articulate their understanding of the material studied. These tasks are designed to develop academic literacy, including research and writing skills. Formative feedback is provided.
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Analyze source material, including ancient sources and modern scholarship; the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical essay
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Paper
- Essay
Learning and teaching activities
- These are designed to allow the students to research, compose and articulate their understanding of the material studied. These tasks are designed to develop academic literacy, including research and writing skills. Formative feedback is provided.
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Know aspects of at least two of the cultures studied in this unit which can be derived from the study of their myths
- Identify theoretical approaches taken in the study of myth
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical essay
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Paper
- Essay
Learning and teaching activities
- The program of lectures will introduce the students to the subject matter of the course: key myths from the cultures studied and the theoretical approaches to the myths. Lectures will also direct students to further reading.
- Tutorials take up topics introduced in the lectures and through a series of questions on set readings from the ancient sources help the students understand these sources and the theoretical approaches that are applied to their analysis.
- These are designed to allow the students to research, compose and articulate their understanding of the material studied. These tasks are designed to develop academic literacy, including research and writing skills. Formative feedback is provided.
- The ancient sources are chosen to familiarize students with content and context. Modern scholarship is chosen to guide the reading of the ancient sources; it illustrates and contexualises modern approaches to the understanding of myth.
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Know aspects of at least two of the cultures studied in this unit which can be derived from the study of their myths
- Identify theoretical approaches taken in the study of myth
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical essay
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial Paper
- Essay
Learning and teaching activities
- Tutorials take up topics introduced in the lectures and through a series of questions on set readings from the ancient sources help the students understand these sources and the theoretical approaches that are applied to their analysis.
- These are designed to allow the students to research, compose and articulate their understanding of the material studied. These tasks are designed to develop academic literacy, including research and writing skills. Formative feedback is provided.
- The ancient sources are chosen to familiarize students with content and context. Modern scholarship is chosen to guide the reading of the ancient sources; it illustrates and contexualises modern approaches to the understanding of myth.