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CLAS 3026 - Afterlife and Underworld in Antiquity

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2016

In this course we study the myths and rituals dealing with the process of death and the passage to the afterlife from Pharaonic Egypt to Christian Rome, from mummification to resurrection. We review popular ideas, stories and philosophical theories about the afterlife and the nature of the underworld, asking what sort of punishments and rewards applied and whether these notions evolved across time. In the last written assignment some modern cinematic treatments of "journeys to the underworld" (katabases) are also studied.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CLAS 3026
    Course Afterlife and Underworld in Antiquity
    Coordinating Unit Classics, Archaeology and Ancient History
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 6 units of Level II undergraduate study
    Incompatible CLAS 2031
    Assessment 5 x Tutorial summaries 10%, Short paper and presentation (1200 words) 20%,Long essay (2000 words) 30%, Exam or Academic journal (2500 words) 40%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Han Baltussen

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the origins, nature and evolution of ideas about the afterlife in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and early Christianity;
    2. Develop a deeper understanding of the importance of specific themes, in particular descents into the underworld as reflected in modern cinematic treatments;
    3. Develop a critical understanding of the key questions, interpretations and scholarship concerning the literary and historical evidence for the evolution of ancient ideas about the afterlife;
    4. Offer a clear, literate and logical exposition of ideas in independently researched written work, based on suitable primary and secondary sources, reflected in appropriate referencing;
    5. Explore, articulate and debate their views in small-group seminars;
    6. Relate the development of ancient ideas about the afterlife to modern social, cultural and ethical perspectives which express universal notions concerning the human condition.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,3,4,5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1,2,4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    4
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1,4,5
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1,2,4,5,6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Course Reader. Online resources.
    Recommended Resources
    Useful Background Readings that can be found in the BSL include:

    Bernstein, A.E. (1993) The Formation of Hell: Death and Retribution in the Ancient and early Christian Worlds. [In BSL: good companion to much of the course]
    Garland,  R. (1985 or later edn) The Greek Way of Death.
    Hope, V. M. (2009) Roman Death: The Dying and the Dead in Ancient Rome.
    Vermeulen, E. (1979) Aspects of Death in Early Greek Art and Poetry.
     
    Online Learning
    Documentaries and film materials online; MyUni/Blackboard
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Workload
    Load per week                         Total per semester
    1x1 hour lectures --> 12 hours 
    1x2 hour seminar -->  22 hours 
    6 hours reading --> 60 hours
    3.5 hours writing --> 42 hours
    2 hours revision --> 20 hours
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours

    Modes:
    lectures
    seminar discussions
    oral presentation
    group discussion
    film & documentary
    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary
    Theme section Topics Details
    Thanatology (Lecture 1) Defining modern approach to death  What is thanatology?
    Egypt, Mesopotamia “The Resurrection machine”; mythology  Pyramids; pursuit of immortality (Gilgamesh)
    Greece Epic & Comedy; mythology; philosophy  Homer; Aristophanes; shamans; Persephone;
     Tartarus ; Plato & Epicurus
    Rome Gladiators; graves; necropoleis;
    inter-cultural contact (Jews)
     Virgil; Apuleius; funerals
    Christianity Resurrection; immortality; the body  Martyrs; saints; metaphors of the physical body
    Film excerpts screening (weeks 5, 9) Descent (katabasis) in modern film
    (example of analysis)
     (examples only, may change)  Fellowship of the Ring;
     Harry Potter; Alice in Wonderland; Il Fauno
    Documentary (week 3) Artistic representations of death
    across cultures and time
     “Images of Death” (N. Spivey, BBC)
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Seminar presentation & lead discussion  Formative and summative   Individual date (by chosen topic) 10% 2, 3, 4, 5
    Reflective summaries on discussion  Formative and summative   Wk 2-6 10% 1, 3, 4
    Research paper  Formative and summative   Individual date (by chosen topic) 20% 2,4
    Cinematic essay on descents  Summative   Wk 12 20% 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
    Written exam  Summative   Formal exam period 40% 1,2,3,4,5,6

    The workload is calculated as a semester load according to university policy.
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through .

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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