This course introduces students to a range of forms of evidence and methodological approaches used by Classicists in the broad field of Classics and Ancient History.  Each week's seminar focuses on a specific type of evidence and/or methodology.  The range of topics will vary from year to year, but will include topics such as historiography, textual criticism, intertextuality, orality, art history, reception studies, epigraphy, numismatics, papyrology and archaeology.

Learning Outcomes

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

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

1. Understand the full range of types of evidence which underlie our understanding of the Classical world
2. Understand some of the key methodological approaches used by historical, literary and philological scholars in their study of Greek and Roman antiquity
3. Appreciate, through a series of case studies, a range of the types of problems addressed by scholars of the Classical world
4. Demonstrate skills in close reading, marshalling of evidence, and presenting original arguments both verbally and in writing
5. Undertake HDR research in Classical Studies.

Additional Course Costs

None

Examination Material or equipment

None.

Required Resources

All assigned materials will be provided via Wattle or available electronically through the ANU Library.

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). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Class Introduction Seminar: Dr. Ryan Strickler (ANU), "Early Theorists"
2	Seminar: Dr. Ryan Strickler (ANU), "20th Century Theorists"
3	Seminar: Prof. Louise Hitchcock (Uni Melb) "Critical Theory for Classical Studies"
4	Seminar: Dr. Chris Bishop (ANU), "Reception Theory"
5	Seminar: Prof. Elizabeth Minchin (ANU), "Cognitive Approaches to Ancient Literature"
6	Seminar: Dr. Guy Smoot (ANU), "Orality in Ancient Epic"
7	Seminar: Dr. Sonia Pertsinidis (ANU), "Textual Criticism"
8	Seminar: Dr. Amelia Brown (UQ), "Material Culture in Long-Term Ancient History"	Essay 1 (methodology) Due
9	Seminar: Dr. Tamara Lewit (Uni Melb), "Using Archaeological Evidence in Classics"
10	Seminar: Prof. Bronwen Neil (Macquarie), "Letter Writing and Letters as Sources in Antiquity"
11	Seminar: Dr. Phoebe Garrett (ANU)
12	End of Semester Wrap Up
13	Final Exam	Final Exam adinistered during exam week Essay 2 (Seminar Essay) Due during exam week

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Participation	20 %	1,2,3,4,5
Essay 1: Thesis Methodoloy Essay (3000 Words)	20 %	1,2,3,4,5
Essay 2: Seminar Essay (3000 Words)	20 %	1,2,3,4,5
Final Examination (2000 Words)	40 %	1,2,3,4,5

* 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 Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

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 Integrity . 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 seminars is essential. Participation in Classics Seminar Series is also expected for all honours students as a critical aspect of the intellectual life of the Centre for Classical Studies.

Examination(s)

There is one final examination.

Assessment Task 1

Participation

Students are expected to attend all seminars, having done the assigned reading beforehand, and to participate in seminar discussion in an informed, meaningful and evidence-based way.

Students must sign up for one seminar presentation. Presentations are to be about 20-30 minutes long. Topics will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. In presentations students will be expected to:

•    Outline the thesis and summarize the contents of each reading

•    Indicate how the reading(s) relate to the seminar topic

•    Critically assess each reading, answering the following: is the argument coherent? Is it convincing? Why or why not? Has the author made any misinterpretations/mistakes in your view? Are there alternative ways of interpreting the evidence that the author has missed?

•    Answer the questions posed by the seminar leader

•    Generate class discussion

Students are also expected to attend all Classics Seminar Series presentations as a cohort.

Assessment Task 2

Essay 1: Thesis Methodoloy Essay (3000 Words)

The first assignment is a 3,000-word essay on any aspect of the methods and evidence you plan to use, or are using, in your Honours thesis. In order to develop your topic, you should consider the following:

·      What are the main methodologies used by scholars working on your topic?

·      What are the potential problems or failings of these methodologies?

·      What are the major issues in your research topic? How have other scholars handled them? To what extent do you agree or disagree with past solutions?

·      How is your proposed methodology better/ more useful than those that have gone before?

·      Could your methodology involve any foreseeable problems? How will you address those problems?

This essay will not take the usual format of a research essay. Instead, it will be more like a grant or research proposal. It should begin with a summary of your topic, outlining the major issues. Next, it should proceed to discuss previous scholarship on your topic and the advantages/disadvantages of other scholarly methods. As you analyse these strengths and weaknesses, you should introduce and discuss your own approach, highlighting how you propose to solve the issues and problems inherent in your topic, and what is innovative or significant about your study. You may use subheadings to structure your ideas if you wish.

Material submitted for this essay (only) may be incorporated into the assessment for the THES unit Thesis provided the acknowledgements or introduction of the thesis clearly identifies both the title of the assessment and the name of the course from which the material is being recycled, as well as the extent of the recycling.

Assessment Task 3

Essay 2: Seminar Essay (3000 Words)

The second assignment requires you to write up your seminar presentation into an essay of no more than 3,000 words. To complete this essay, you must describe (briefly) and critique (at greater length) the ideas and arguments presented in your readings. Think of it like writing an academic review:

·      do some scholars use better methods than others? What makes certain methods more/less effective?

·      if all of your readings focused on one method, do you agree with that method? What are its strengths/weaknesses?

·      do some scholars use more evidence than others? How do they use that evidence? Is there any evidence they have overlooked?

·      if you are not convinced by a particular scholar's interpretation, can you provide an alternative?

You may use the 'questions for presenter' section as a guide, though you do not have to answer every single one of them.

You do not need to undertake any further reading in order to complete this essay. What we are interested in is how thoroughly you have understood the set reading and the set topic.

Assessment Task 4

Final Examination (2000 Words)

Students will undertake a 3-hour final examination. 10 questions will be set, each focussing on a different aspect of the methodologies and/or systems of evidence surveyed during the course. Students will be expected to write an essay of no more than 2000 words on ONE of these questions and cannot chose to do a question substantially similar to any other assessment task undertaken by them during this semester.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

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

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Students will be able to access their graded assignments on Turnitin after the return date.

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Students may not resubmit assignments.

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 Diversity 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 undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students