CLA4020 - Research Seminar: Ritual and Drama, the Politics of Antiquity

Leader: Dr Evangelia Anagnostou-Laoutides

Offered

Clayton First semester 2007 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

Guided reading in an area of students' choice that is relevant to the notion of Claasical Studies, subject to the approval of the lecturer. Students also conduct research which leads to written tasks on a question or topic relevant to their guided reading.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit students will:

1. Be able to understand the key notions surrounding the social, religious and political institutions of the Greeks and the Romans.
2. Be able to appreciate the symbolic level of the culture and its produce such as mythological narrations and ritual re-enactments as methods of consolidating the identity of the community members.
3. Be able to understand the more important aspects of the relationship between language, ideology, and culture.
4. Be able to apply modern theoretical tools to explain the mentality and philosophy of life of ancient Greeks and Romans.
5. Be able to combine theory with the written evidence these cultures have left posterity. Be able to recognise the cognitive roles of religion, political life and art in embedding a culture.

Assessment

Annotated bibliography (2000 words) : 20%
Research Essay (3000 words) : 35%
Position Paper (3000 words) : 35%
Oral presentation (Up to 20 minutes (equivalent 1000 words)) : 10%

Contact hours

Maximum two hours per week

Prerequisites

Major in Classical Studies