CLAS 3030 - Athens to Alexandria: Roman Antecedents

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

This capstone course for the Classics Major explores in greater depth the cultural legacies of Rome to Greece that have previously been studied within the Classics Major. Three modules will develop students? scholarly skills, including: - 'deep reading' of primary texts - Contextualising evidence - Making oral presentations of research following academic conventions - Following scholarly debates in ancient history, archaeology and classical literature. In Module 2, students will stream into content-specific seminars, then combine back into a common seminar program (Module 3). This allows students to build upon their specialisations within the Classics Major: archaeology with history, or intellectual history with literary studies. This provides the maximum possible flexibility that empowers students to develop their knowledge base and practice scholarly techniques through a research essay on a topic chosen by them in collaboration with staff. Module 1 - The lectures and three seminars will explore aspects of Classical Athens. Seminar 1 will explore the process of delivering a scholarly paper to an audience, and prepare students for their oral presentation later in the course. Seminars 2-3 may vary yearly, but may include the 'democratic' nature of Athenian art; Athenian Comedy and/or works of Aristotle. Module 2 - All students attend weekly lectures on historical or conceptual backgrounds to the late Classical and Hellenistic worlds. Students will, however, choose one of two parallel seminar themes offered. These will vary from year to year, but will be from the areas of archaeology/history, philosophy/intellectual history, or literary studies. They will examine in greater depth topics dealt with in previous Classics courses, focusing on the impact of the Classical and Hellenistic world on Rome. Module 3 - Students revert to a common seminar program, exploring current controversies and debates on the interpretation of ancient texts and artefacts, including the loss of texts and gaps in our knowledge of the past.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CLAS 3030
    Course Athens to Alexandria: Roman Antecedents
    Coordinating Unit Classics, Archaeology and Ancient History
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites At least 15 units of Classics Major courses
    Restrictions Available to students undertaking a Classics Major only
    Assessment Research essay (5000 words) 50%, Seminar paper (2500 words) 35%, Oral presentation and handout 15%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Margaret O'Hea

    All available Classics staff teach into this course.
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate:

    1. familiarity with primary sources and artefacts central to a modern understanding of Classical and
    Hellenistic Greek culture and their influence on Rome;

    2. familiarity with problems and issues in the study of the relationships between Classical and Hellenistic Greek culture, art and literature and Rome by the early empire;

    3. a clear understanding of the current methodologies available for the interpretation of literary and non-literary texts, across a
    variety of genres;

    4. a clear understanding of the current methodologies available for the interpretation of material evidence;

    5. an ability to undertake self-directed research by formulating a topic for a  research paper within structured guidelines,
    using an appropriate methodology and selecting appropriate primary evidence;

    6. productive and respectful engagement with peers via problem solving and the sharing of information;

    7. a use of appropriate technologies and tools for higher research in classics, archaeology and ancient history.




    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-4

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    5-6

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    3-5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1-2

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Weekly reading material will be provided online.



    Recommended Resources
    Reading lists, web-links, library resources, essay and study guide along with referencing guides will be on Canvas for this course.



    Online Learning
    This is not an online course. The weekly lecture will be recorded, but regular attendance at both the lecture and weekly seminars is important for successful completion of this course.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    One lecture per week will contextualise seminar topics in their historical framework, with a weekly seminar series starting in Week 2. The focus will be upon the seminars, exploring in greater detail aspects of Greek and Roman cultural interactions dealt with in levels
    1-2 within the Classics Major.


    Structured learning will also include attendance and participation in at least 3 Classics Departmental Research seminars (1.5
    hours length) as well as up to half an hour preparation and discussion time, to familiarise students with the presentation of formal academic research papers at a postgraduate and professional level.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.


    Workload (6 hours of structured learning per week) TOTAL HOURS = 72 hours per semester
    1 x 1-hour lecture per week 12 hours per semester
    1 x 2-hour seminar (or equivalent) per week 24 hours per semester
    3 hours directed research: SGDE preparation for experts during module 3; meetings throughout the semester with appointed mentor for research project and directed research arising from that, and attendance/participation in at least 3 Classics Research Seminars (separately timetabled) 36 hours per semester

    Self-directed learning TOTAL HOURS = 72
    hours per semester
    6 hours reading per week 72 hours per semester
    7 hours research per week 84 hours per semester
    7 hours assignment-preparation per week 84 hours per semester
    Total WORKLOAD = 312 hours per semester



    Learning Activities Summary
    Lecture and seminar topics will vary from year to year, depending on the availability of staff, but will focus on the transmission and effects of Greek culture upon Rome.
    A full guide will be available at the start of semester on MyUni.
       
      Specific Course Requirements
      N/A
    1. Assessment

      The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

      1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
      2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
      3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
      4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

      Assessment Summary
      5000 word research essay Summative 50%        
      1, 2, 3, 4, 6
      2500 word seminar paper Formative and Summative 35% 
      1, 2, 3, 4, 5
      Oral presentation with handout Formative and Summative 15% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
      Assessment Related Requirements

      Regular attendance at seminars is compulsory, as the achievement of course learning outcomes is substantially dependent on this.



      Assessment Detail
      5000 word essay: students must submit online a research essay on a topic decided in collaboration between staff and student, and which must be related to the seminar reading programme for this course.   The essay will be submitted at the end of semester.   = 50% weighting

      2500 word seminar paper: students must submit a seminar paper on a topic within the set seminar programme.  The paper is submitted in hard copy one week after the seminar at which the topic was discussed. See MyUni for any further restrictions on which seminar topics will be available to write up within the semester. = 35% weighting

      Oral presentation with handout:  students must deliver a ca 10 minute paper on a topic chosen from the set seminar programme, and include a handout of no more than a single A4 sheet. See MyUni for any further restrictions on which seminar topics will be available to present within the semester. = 15 % weighting

      Submission
      Submission of essay and seminar paper will be online, via MyUni. The oral presentation will be done in seminar-class and the handouts will be provided by the student at the start of that class.  Details will be made available in the first seminar meeting and online in MyUni.
      Course Grading

      Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

      M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
      Grade Mark Description
      FNS   Fail No Submission
      F 1-49 Fail
      P 50-64 Pass
      C 65-74 Credit
      D 75-84 Distinction
      HD 85-100 High Distinction
      CN   Continuing
      NFE   No Formal Examination
      RP   Result Pending

      Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

      Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

      Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

    2. Student Feedback

      The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

      SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    3. Student Support
    4. Policies & Guidelines
    5. Fraud Awareness

      Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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