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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
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
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: 11 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: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Hiurdle Requirement Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of classes 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. | From Week 1 to Week 12 | N/A |
A document analysis
| Week 5 | 15% |
A research essay
| Week 8 | 45% |
A take home examination
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Parshia Lee-Stecum Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours on campus: A 2-hour seminar per week for 12 weeks. Seminars in weeks 5-7 will be held in the Object Based Learning Labs. Note that students are also expected to complete approximately one hour of online coursework material each week before that week's seminar. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 31 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018 Semester 1 contact information
Email: ppls@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 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 Major Ancient World Studies Specialisation (formal) Classical Studies and Archaeology Specialisation (formal) Graduate Certificate in Arts - Classical Studies and Archaeology Informal specialisation Ancient Greek Major Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Studies Major Informal specialisation Latin 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024