Myth, Society and Religion
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| CLAR4025 | Classics and Archaeology | 4 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- CLAR4025
- School
- Classics and Archaeology
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
"This module will explore the nature and role of myth and religion in ancient Greek and Roman cultures, with particular emphasis on their religious, and social significance. Are myths simply entertaining stories or do they serve other purposes—and what may these be? How do we distinguish them from folktales or history? What is it about particular stories that means they continue to be transmitted across generations—and what shapes the form they take? What patterns of language and imagery do we find recurring in mythic narratives?
As well as examining sources in detail, this module will explore different approaches to analysing myth and religion, examining how the Greeks and Romans understood their myths and religion and the roles they could play, alongside a range of modern theories. It will allow students to focus on literary, visual or historical aspects of myth (according to their own interests), while encouraging them to examine the ways in which these different narrative forms may overlap and interact, developing valuable interdisciplinary research skills."
Target Students
Available to Level 4 Postgraduate students in the Department of Classics and Archaeology including Level 4 subsidiary students and exchange students.
Classes
- One 2-hour seminar each week for 10 weeks
Assessment
- 15% Coursework 1: Two-page essay plan and annotated bibliography
- 85% Coursework 2: Essay of 3,500-4,000 words
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
The aims of this module:- to explore the nature and role of myth in the Classical world, especiallytheir religious and social significance- to analyse literary and religious, visual, material and epigraphic evidence for myth and religion, examining not only how myth is expressed in each of these media, but also how these expressions may interact in the creation of narratives and/or meaning- to develop students' skills in postgraduate study of the Classical world- to cover a broad range of literary, historical and artistic material in various periods of the Classical world- to explore a variety of theories and methodologies used in the study of myth in literary, visual, epigraphic and material evidenceLearning Outcomes
By the end of this module students should have:
Familiarity with a wide range of material in Greek and Roman literature, history, culture and society
Knowledge of a range of methodologies and theories that have been deployed in relation to the study of myth in classical antiquity
An enhanced degree of expertise in dealing with the range of Greek and Roman material and responses to this material
A broad awareness of how the study of myth has evolved in recent scholarship- Ability to identify and evaluate key problems in the study and use of Greek and Roman literature, history and art within an intellectual framework informed by current scholarship and to engage with different approaches
Ability to locate, select, analyse and evaluate critically at an advanced level a variety of ancient evidence and secondary literature relevant to specific issues or problems
Ability to show initiative in approach to topics, with evidence of advanced critical and original thinking
Ability to articulate knowledge and critical awareness of chosen topics in the literature, history and art of classical antiquity, both orally and in written format
Ability to devise, plan, research and write up a coherent piece of extended work, selecting appropriate approaches and making effective use of a range of bibliographic and other resources, both printed and electronic
Ability to present written work to a high standard
Enhanced ability to communicate effectively in writing
Enhanced ability to communicate effectively orally, especially in formal presentations
Enhanced ability to work productively with others.