At a time when Classics is more relevant than ever to contemporary social, cultural, historical, and political debates, its pervasive impact sometimes goes unrecognised. This course probes the most relevant and current issues of the discipline that are fundamental to its future direction and active in shaping contemporary attitudes to the Greek and Roman past. The course addresses big questions through current controversies. A 2023 Netflix documentary on Cleopatra VII cast a black actor in the titular role in the face of internet outrage, but what were ancient Greek and Roman attitudes to race, is this casting actually far-fetched, and why does the public care so much? The National War Memorial in Canberra possesses artefacts collected by Australian troops on assignment in Greece, Turkey, and Egypt: are these simply souvenirs or is there more to it; who should own these objects and why do people invest powerful emotions in material things? Computer games like Assassin's Creed Odyssey reconstruct visions of classical cities like Athens, but how accurate are these representations and why does it matter? How can we as modern scholars access the voices and experiences of marginalised peoples in the ancient world? The Athenian acropolis proudly displays its 5th century classical phase for tourists and scholars alike, but 150 years ago it was an eclectic combination of buildings and remains from the Mycenaean period to the nineteenth century: why promote one chronological phase over another; what is lost and what is gained; who makes these decisions and why does it matter? In recent years in nations like the US, UK, and Australia, controversial figures of the past who have been celebrated with monuments have become lightning rods for debates about contemporary identity and values: what was the impulse for this statue habit of modern societies and what does it mean to raise or remove a monument? Greek theatre as therapy has had a dramatic and positive effect on displaced peoples in refugee communities this century: why do plays like Euripides' Trojan Women still resonate so profoundly and how does the experience of performing this material help the emotional and psychological lives of individuals? Classics Now! allows students to sink their teeth into these questions and more.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. engage critically with current issues in the field of Classics;
2. identify and interpret the many manifestations of Greek and Roman antiquity's influence on contemporary society, culture, and politics;
3. understand and be able to explain to others the relevance and impact of Classics to contemporary society, culture, and politics; and
4. analyse critically and evaluate ancient evidence and its contemporary reception with sophistication, sensitivity, and objectivity.

Research-Led Teaching

This course has been developed in conjunction with new continuing members of staff in Classics who started at the ANU in 2023. It reflects their research interests in the most relevant and current issues of the discipline that are fundamental to the future direction of the discipline and active in shaping contemporary attitudes to the Greek and Roman past. The course addresses big questions in the discipline through contemporary controversies.

Field Trips

Attendance required at the Classics Research Seminar (Wednesday 3:15-4:15 pm) in odd Weeks: Weeks 1, 5, 7, 9, and at Public Lectures in Weeks 3 and 11.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Attendance required at the Classics Research Seminar (Wednesday 3:15-4:15 pm)
2	Seminar 1: Classics and Contemporary Media (ES)	Seminar presentations (rolling deadlines)
3	Attendance required at Classics Public Lecture by Visiting Scholar (Wednesday 5:30 pm)
4	Seminar 2: Roman Emperors as Political Models in Antiquity and Beyond (CD)	Seminar presentations (rolling deadlines)
5	Attendance required at the Classics Research Seminar (Wednesday 3:15-4:15 pm)
6	Seminar 3: Classics and Its Discontents (TG)	Seminar presentations (rolling deadlines)
7	Attendance required at the Classics Research Seminar (Wednesday 3:15-4:15 pm)	Poster due Monday, April 15.
8	Seminar 4: Women in (Ancient) Science (TB)	Seminar presentations (rolling deadlines)
9	Attendance required at the Classics Research Seminar (Wednesday 3:15-4:15 pm)
10	Seminar 5: Museums Now! (GPR)	Seminar presentations (rolling deadlines)
11	Attendance required at the Classics Public Lecture by Visiting Schollar (Wednesday 6 pm)
12	Seminar 6: The Fall of Rome and Political Debate (MM)	Seminar presentations (rolling deadlines)Research project due Friday, May 24.

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
seminar participation (ongoing) (10%)	10 %	*	1,2,3,4
seminar presentation (15 mins) (15%)	15 %	*	1,2,3,4
poster (c. 1000 words) (25%)	25 %	15/04/2024	1,2,3
research project (5000 words) 50%	50 %	24/05/2024	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation is essential to all aspects of this course. The seminar format requires active discussion and engagement with relevant material. Attendance is also required at the Classics Research Seminar (Wednesday 3:15-4:15 pm) in odd weeks: Weeks 1,3,5,7,9,11.

Assessment Task 1

seminar participation (ongoing) (10%)

Active engagement with the material of this course is crucial to successful learning. Students are expected to prepare for the seminars by reading the required material and will be assessed on their participation in all six seminars in the course. Students are also expected to attend the Classics Research Seminar in  Weeks 1, 5, 7, 9, and the Public Lectures in Weeks 3 and 11. (i.e. in the weeks when there is no seminar).

Assessment Task 2

seminar presentation (15 mins) (15%)

Students will be required to present on a relevant topic for 15 minutes and facilitate discussion at one of the six seminars. Topics will be available prior to the first seminar and students will be asked to sign up to a specific week. Student interest will be accommodated as much as possible, but a spread of presentations across the weeks is desirable.

Assessment Task 3

poster (c. 1000 words) (25%)

Students will be required to produce a poster that educates a non-academic audience on the same topic (or aspect of the same topic) as they choose for their more formal research project. They may choose a primary or secondary school group, a special interest group such as the Friends of the ANU Classics Museum, a local historical society, or any other group so long as they get approval from the Course Co-ordinator.

Assessment Task 4

research project (5000 words) 50%

Students will be required to write a formal research essay of 5000 words exploring a research question related to Classics Now! Several possible topics will be provided via the Wattle Site, but students may also chose their own topic in consultation with the course co-ordinator. The research project will be due at the end of semester.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students