This course is designed to introduce students to the canon of Classical European literature with close-readings from the central texts translated into English. Lectures will survey the poetry, drama and novels of the ancient world in their historic, linguistic and cultural contexts, while tutorial work will analyse substantial readings from the Iliad, the Odyssey, the Aeneid, the Oresteia, and the Metamorphoses of Apuleius. The course will conclude by considering the pivotal role this literature played in the European Renaissance.
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:- demonstrate familiarity with the principal texts of the Classical canon (the Iliad, the Odyssey and the Aeneid);
- demonstrate familiarity with the primary forms of Classical literature (poetry, drama and novels);
- discuss critically and in a socio-historical context some of those texts and forms; and
- demonstrate an understanding of the importance of Classical literature in the formation of Western civilisation.
Indicative Assessment
Bibliographical exercise, 500 words (10%) Learning Outcomes 1, 2Analytical exercise, 500 words (10%) Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3
Essay, 1500 words (30%) Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3
Essay, 2000 words (40%) Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Tutorial participation (10%) Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 36 hours of contact: 12 hours of lectures and 24 hours of tutorials and tutorial-like activities; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Prescribed Texts
M.C. Howatson, The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (OUP, 2011)Preliminary Reading
T.A. Schmitz, Modern Literary Theory and Ancient Texts, An Introduction (Blackwell, 2007)The Epic of Gilgamesh (Tr. Andrew George: Penguin, 2016)
Homer, The Iliad (Tr. Caroline Alexander: Harper Collins, 2015)
Homer, The Odyssey (Tr. Robert Fagles: Penguin, 1996)
Vergil, The Aeneid (Tr. Sarah Ruden: Yale University Press, 2009)
Aeschylus, The Oresteia (Tr. Robert Lowell: Farrar Straus Giroux, 1978)
Apuleius, The Golden Ass (Tr. Sarah Ruden: Yale University Press, 2013)
Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy (Tr. Mark Musa: Penguin, 2002)
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $3840 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $4980 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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 out more on the Timetable webpage.
