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Underworld and Afterlife (ANCW30011)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Email: ppls@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
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The journey to the underworld, the existence of an afterlife, the survival of the bereaved, the mummification of the dead, the sacrifice of virgins, communicating with ghosts - the ancient world blossomed with myths and rituals associated with all these things. This subject focuses on these topics in the literature and material culture of antiquity, including the Egyptian Book of the Dead, the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer, Greek tragedy, Roman epic, epitaphs commemorating the deceased, and archaeological evidence from funerary and other ritual contexts. On completion of this subject students should have an understanding of ancient myths and death-rituals, have assessed critically the relevant literary and material sources, and have learned the major scholarly approaches to death, bereavement and the afterlife in the ancient world.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should:
- have acquired an understanding of the myths and rituals dealt with in the subject, have assessed critically the relevant literary and material evidence discussed;
- have shown an understanding of the major and scholarly approaches to the subject matter treated in the subject.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should:
- be skilled in critical thinking and analysis.
- possess effective written communication skills.
- have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- A 500 word document analysis due in week 5 (15%)
- A 2000 word research essay due in week 8 (45%)
- A 1500 word take home examination due during the end of semester examination period (40%)
Hurdle requirement:
- Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject.
- All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day; after five working days, late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Parshia Lee-Stecum Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 29 hours: A 1.5-hour lecture per week for 12 weeks and eleven 1-hour tutorials scheduled across the semester Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2017 Census date 31 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 Semester 1 contact information
Email: ppls@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
The Egyptian Book of the Dead, trans R Faulkner (Chronicle Books, 2nd ed)
The Epic of Gilgamesh, trans A George (Penguin Classics)
Euripides, Orestes and Other Plays, trans P Vellacott (Penguin Classics)
Subject readings will be available online
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Graduate Diploma in Arts - Classical Studies and Archaeology Informal specialisation Latin Specialisation (formal) Graduate Diploma in Arts - Classical Studies and Archaeology Informal specialisation Ancient Greek Major Ancient World Studies Major Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Studies Major Specialisation (formal) Graduate Certificate in Arts - Classical Studies and Archaeology Informal specialisation Graduate Certificate in Arts - Classical Studies and Archaeology Breadth Track Ancient Egypt and the Near East - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 27 April 2024