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Classical Mythology (ANCW20015)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 - On Campus |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will focus on mythical narratives from the ancient Greek and Roman traditions. Students will explore some of the central patterns and themes in classical mythology. These include themes of birth and creation, glory and hubris, love and loss, revenge and violence, ritual, magic and monstrosity. We will engage directly with both ancient texts in translation and the material culture of the Graeco-Roman world.
Students will have opportunities to engage with the significance of mythology in the everyday lives of the Greeks and Romans, including its relationship to ideology, gender, sexuality, and natural and built landscapes. As we build our familiarity with Graeco-Roman myths over the semester, we will also question their role in contemporary society, and how their images, meanings, and ideas are both maintained and transformed over time.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of ancient Greek and Roman mythical narratives and the primary sources for these narratives
- Identify and critically analyse the central patterns and themes of classical mythology
- Identify and articulate the relationships between classical myths and the social, religious, and political contexts of their production
- Identify and critically engage with scholarship on classical mythology
- Communicate interpretations of classical mythological narratives effectively, both orally and in writing
- Approach all evidence about Greek and Roman mythical narratives and the societies which produced these narratives with intellectual honesty and a respect for ethical values
- Work effectively, in groups and independently, to identify, discuss and critically analyse key issues in the interpretation of classical mythology.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Develop critical thinking skills to analyse and evaluate concepts, beliefs, considering multiple perspectives, and supporting evidence
- Communicate effectively in writing and synthesis an argument in cogent form
- Evaluate the impact of social, ethical, and cultural contexts
- Acquire greater confidence in tackling unfamiliar problems
- Reflect on the communication conventions of another culture
- Conduct independent research and effectively manage information.
Last updated: 10 February 2026