University Course Planner The University of Adelaide Australia

CLAS 3026 - Journeys to the Underworld: From Homer to Hollywood

Career: Undergraduate
Units: 3
Term: 4010
Campus: North Terrace
Contact: Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange: Yes
Available for Non-Award Study: Yes
Pre-Requisite: At least 6 units of Level II undergraduate study
Incompatible: CLAS 2031
Assessment: 5 x Tutorial summaries 10%, Short paper and presentation (1200 words) 20%,Long essay (2000 words) 30%, Exam or Academic journal (2500 words) 40%
Biennial Course: Course offered in even years
Syllabus:

In this course we study the myths and rituals dealing with the process of death and the passage to the afterlife. While reviewing Pharaonic Egypt, Homeric and Classical Greece, Rome and the Christian era, we consider the various approaches to burials (mummification to resurrection), speculations about what happens after we die and consider their cultural and symbolic meanings. We also review popular ideas, stories and philosophical theories about the afterlife and the nature of the underworld, asking what sort of punishments and rewards applied and whether these notions evolved across time. Important works of different genres will illustrate how pervasive afterlife narratives are. An important aim of the course is to explore the universal elements of these beliefs, their evolution and their ongoing relevance. You will be encouraged to make connections between the time periods studied, but also with our own ideas and practices today. To reinforce this notion of continuing relevance, the last written assignment (long essay) invites you to analyse how one ancient mythological theme, "the journey to the underworld" (katabasis) has made a remarkable come-back in modern film.

Course Fees

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Student Status

Domestic
International

What type of place are you studying in

Commonwealth supported
Full fee paying

Study Level

Undergraduate
Postgraduate Coursework
Non Award

Program of Study

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Units
EFTSL
Amount
3
0.125
          
  


Course Outline

A Course Outline which includes Learning Outcomes, Learning Resources, Learning & Teaching for this course may be accessed here


Critical Dates

Term Last Day to Add Online Census Date Last Day to WNF Last Day to WF
4010 Mon 16/03/2020 Thu 26/03/2020 Fri 12/06/2020 Not Available


Class Details

Enrolment Class: Lecture
Class Nbr Section Size Available Dates Days Time Location
13394 LE01 100 47 3 Mar - 7 Apr Tuesday 1pm - 2pm Napier, G04, Lecture Theatre
28 Apr - 2 Jun Tuesday 1pm - 2pm Napier, G04, Lecture Theatre
Related Class: Seminar
Class Nbr Section Size Available Dates Days Time Location
13395 SE04 20 7 6 Mar - 10 Apr Friday 12pm - 2pm Lower Napier, LG11, Teaching Room
1 May - 5 Jun Friday 12pm - 2pm Lower Napier, LG11, Teaching Room
13396 SE03 30 12 5 Mar - 9 Apr Thursday 12pm - 2pm Napier, 108, Teaching Room
30 Apr - 4 Jun Thursday 12pm - 2pm Napier, 108, Teaching Room
13397 SE02 30 8 4 Mar - 8 Apr Wednesday 11am - 1pm Napier, 108, Teaching Room
29 Apr - 3 Jun Wednesday 11am - 1pm Napier, 108, Teaching Room