6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
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Prerequisites
Twelve credit points of first-year Arts units.
Synopsis
This unit examines mythic patterns and their relation to ritual enactments in ancient times and across a variety of cultures including Indigenous Australia, the ancient Near East, Greece and Rome. We explore creation stories, tales of kings and heroes and rites surrounding birth, marriage, and death. We access these myths primarily through ancient texts but also incorporate insights from archaeology and art history. In addition, students will examine genres of ancient story-telling such as oral traditions, epic, and drama and will be introduced to the theoretical tools associated with the study of ancient mythology and religion.
Outcomes
- Be familiar with the myths of Indigenous Australia and the ancient Mediterranean.
- Identify the literary genres in which myths were written.
- Understand the theoretical approaches to mythology.
- Be aware of the socio-political contexts of myths.
- Apply critical thinking and research skills to investigate primary and secondary sources.
Assessment
Within semester assessment: 100%
Workload requirements
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
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