University Course Planner The University of Adelaide Australia

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

Career: Undergraduate
Units: 3
Term: 4210
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

Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here

Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.

The fees displayed below for international students are for students commencing a program in 2024 only. International students who commenced a program in 2023 or prior can find their fee here.

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
4210 Tue 15/03/2022 Thu 24/03/2022 Fri 06/05/2022 Fri 10/06/2022


Class Details

Enrolment Class: Lecture
Class Nbr Section Size Available Dates Days Time Location
19561 LEC0 80 24 This class does not have any timetabled face-to-face sessions. Please check MyUni or contact your Course Coordinator for details.
Note: This lecture is pre-recorded and can be viewed any time after publication in MyUni. Please refer to MyUni for details once enrolled.
Related Class: Seminar
Class Nbr Section Size Available Dates Days Time Location
16079 SE03 25 12 4 Mar - 8 Apr Friday 9am - 11am MyUni, OL, Online Class
29 Apr - 27 May Friday 9am - 11am MyUni, OL, Online Class
16080 SE02 30 7 3 Mar - 7 Apr Thursday 11am - 1pm Napier, 108, Teaching Room
28 Apr - 26 May Thursday 11am - 1pm Napier, 108, Teaching Room
16081 SE01 25 5 28 Feb - 4 Apr Monday 2pm - 4pm Napier, 210, Teaching Room
25 Apr - 23 May Monday 2pm - 4pm Napier, 210, Teaching Room