CLAS 3026 - Afterlife and Underworld in Antiquity
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2022
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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 Biennial Course Course offered in even years 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 .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
After completing this course, students will be able to
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. Show a deeper understanding of the importance of specific themes, in particular descents into the underworld as reflected in modern cinematic treatments;
3. Demonstrate 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) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1,2,3,4,5 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1,2,4 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
4 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
1,4,5 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
6 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
1,2,4,5,6 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Course Reader. Online resources.Recommended Resources
Textbook (e-book on library catalogue)
Almond, P.C. (2016) Afterlife: A History of Life after Death (London, England; New York: I.B.Tauris)
Recommended 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.
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 & documentaryWorkload
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 & EpicurusRome 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 FaunoDocumentary (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:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- 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 OR Academic Journal Summative Formal exam period (AJ week 13) 40% 1,2,3,4,5,6
The workload is calculated as a semester load according to university policy. The requirements for the Academic Journal will be explained in the Course Guide.
Due to the current COVID-19 situation modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching. Assessment details provided here reflect recent updates.
Assessment will now include a take-home exam for students choosing the exam as the last assignment. It will become available at the end of week 13 and will need to be posted within 48 hours.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 .
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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.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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