Caution
Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1320-6222
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
How did we come to be what we are? One approach to this profound question is to interrogate the past. Looking backwards we are confronted inevitably and conspicuously with the key formative role of the classical civilisations of Greece and Rome. In them above all we are able to recognise the origins of our political system (democracy is a Greek invention and word), our code of law (Rome's legions alone did not bring order to an empire), our principal literary genres, mathematics, astronomy, physics, philosophy (that is a Greek word too and all western thought has been diagnosed as footnotes to Plato!), and much, much more.
Conscious that there are as many reasons for studying Greek and Roman history and culture as there are potential students, the department has made its classical history and culture subjects as wide-ranging and encompassing as it is able, given the expertise and interests of staff members. Collectively, we believe, they provide an effective introduction to major historical and social developments, literary works, styles and ideas of the classical world, all of which are central in one way or another to the evolution of western culture. Each individual subject is designed to tie in with and complement other areas of study (history, European literatures and philosophy, for example) within the faculty, whose subject matter is permeated by the classical tradition.
+ A minor sequence comprises a first-year sequence in classical history and culture followed by second-year level subjects to the value of sixteen points.
+ A major sequence comprises a minor sequence followed by third-year level subjects to the value of sixteen points, plus eight points of work chosen from either second- or third-year level subjects.
Subjects available for inclusion in minor and/or major sequences are as follows:
A All mainstream classical history and culture subjects offered by the department at second- and third-year level. These are:
+ CHC2050 Myth into culture
+ CHC2110/3110 Epic poetry
+ CHC2210/3210 From Republic to Empire
+ CHC2220/3220 Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War
+ CHC2230/3230 Classical drama
+ CHC2250/3250 Atoms and the solar system: two studies in ancient Greek science
+ CHC2310/3310 Tiberius to Domitian
+ CHC2410/3410 Women in Roman society
+ CHC2510/3510 Wit and humour in literature, film and cartoon
+ CHC2590/3590 Alexandria - Jerusalem - Rome: connections and conflict
+ CHC2610/3610 Roman life and literature
+ CHC2630/3630 Late fifth-century Athenian literature and society
+ CHC2650/3650 Fourth-century Athens
+ CHC2670/3670 Gender representation in classical literature
+ CHC2810/3810 Language and sources of Roman classical history and culture I
+ CHC2830/3830 Language and sources of Roman classical history and culture II
+ CHC2850/3850 Language and sources of Ancient Greek classical history and culture I
+ CHC2870/3870 Language and sources of Ancient Greek classical history and culture II
The four language subjects are offered to those students who wish to acquire some knowledge of Greek or Latin. CHC2810/3810 or CHC2850/3850 can be followed up with CHC2830/3830 and CHC2870/3870 respectively.
B The following archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean subjects offered by the department at third-year level:
+ ARY2570 Minoans and Myceneans
+ ARY3550 Coins, the archaeologist and the ancient historian
+ ARY3950 Greek and Roman Egypt
C The following subjects offered by departments outside the Department of Greek, Roman and Egyptian Studies:
+ HSY3630 Renaissance Florence
+ PHL2130/3130 Greek philosophy or;
+ Any second- or third-year level comparative literature and cultural studies subject to the value of eight points.
Students who contemplate including any subject listed in group C should note the department's requirement that at least sixteen points of a minor sequence and at least thirty-six points of a major sequence must be acquired within the department itself.
+ CHC1030 The age of Athens
+ CHC1040 The age of Augustus: Rome's golden era
+ ARY1010 Origins of Western Civilisation 1: the Bronze Age
+ ARY1020 Origins of Western Civilisation 2: the Mediterranean world from 1000BCE - 14CE.
For other subjects offered inside and outside the Department of Greek, Roman and Egyptian Studies which may be taken in a second-year classical culture and history course, see the overview at the head of this entry.
A first-year sequence in classical history and culture or archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean is normally a prerequisite for second-year classical history and culture subjects with the exception of CHC 2830 and CHC2870. CHC2810 is an additional prerequisite for CHC2830. CHC2850 is an additional prerequisite for CHC2870.
+ CHC2050 Myth into culture
+ CHC2110 Classical epic
+ CHC2210 From Republic to Empire
+ CHC2220 Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War
+ CHC2230 Classical drama
+ CHC2250 Atoms and the solar system: two studies in ancient Greek science
+ CHC2310 Tiberius to Domitian
+ CHC2410 Women in Roman society
+ CHC2510 Wit and humour in literature, film and cartoon
+ CHC2590 Alexandria - Jerusalem - Rome: connections and conflict
+ CHC2610 Roman life and literature
+ CHC2630 Late fifth-century Athenian literature and society
+ CHC2650 Fourth-century Athens
+ CHC2670 Gender representation in classical literature
+ CHC2810 Language and sources of Roman classical history and culture I
+ CHC2830 Language and sources of Roman classical history and culture II
+ CHC2850 Language and sources of Ancient Greek classical history and culture I
+ CHC2870 Language and sources of Ancient Greek classical history and culture II
Many third-year options are also offered at second-year level. In all such cases the third-year subjects have the same basic teaching hours and core syllabus as their second-year counterparts. In the assessment of written work of third-year level subjects, a higher level of sophistication will be required. In particular third-year students will be (i) expected to demonstrate a wider reading, not only of analytical works but also of relevant primary sources closely related to the text or period being studied; (ii) expected to show a higher level of sophistication in their approach to, and their analysis of, the texts and documents studied and (iii) expected to display a greater knowledge and understanding of the ancient world, so as to relate the works studied more closely to their cultural and historical contexts.
For other subjects offered inside and outside the Department of Greek, Roman and Egyptian Studies which may be taken in a third-year classical culture and history course, see the overview at the head of this entry.
A minor sequence in classical history and culture as defined in the overview above is a prerequisite for third-year classical history and culture subjects with the exception of CHC 3830 and CHC3870. CHC3810 is an additional prerequisite for CHC3830. CHC3850 is an additional prerequisite for CHC3870.
+ CHC3110 Classical epic
+ CHC3210 From Republic to Empire
+ CHC3220 Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War
+ CHC3230 Classical drama
+ CHC3250 Atoms and the solar system: two studies in ancient Greek science
+ CHC3310 Tiberius to Domitian
+ CHC3410 Women in Roman society
+ CHC3510 Wit and humour in literature, film and cartoon
+ CHC3590 Alexandria - Jerusalem - Rome: connections and conflict
+ CHC3610 Roman life and literature
+ CHC3630 Late fifth-century Athenian literature and society
+ CHC3650 Fourth-century Athens
+ CHC3670 Gender representation in classical literature
+ CHC3810 Language and sources of Roman classical history and culture I
+ CHC3830 Language and sources of Roman classical history and culture II
+ CHC3850 Language and sources of Ancient Greek classical history and culture I
+ CHC3870 Language and sources of Ancient Greek classical history and culture II
All fourth-year students are required to complete a dissertation of about 10,000 words (CHC4720) and three other subjects which must include CHC4740 (methodology).
The attention of prospective honours students is drawn to the fact that full access to the classical past requires knowledge of the languages of documents and texts. Before or in honours year, therefore, it is desirable that students should consider elementary study of Ancient Greek or Latin. A non-credited reading subject in Ancient Greek can be organised for interested fourth-year students.
It is essential that all intending honours students in classical history and culture discuss their course with the coordinators well in advance of enrolment.
+ CHC4740 Methodology
+ CHC4780 Special subject B