Course coordinator
Professor Alastair Blanshard
Please email a.blanshard@uq.edu.au to organise a time to meet.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Shelley once declared that 'We are all Greeks'. But who is the 'we' here and what does it mean to be 'Greek'? How can a world separated by thousands of years claim to embody 'us'? In this course you will read foundational texts of classical culture and investigate their legacy. The literature, theatre, and art of Greco-Roman antiquity continue to resonate today. The 'Ancients' established paradigms that subsequent generations have struggled to imitate, surpass, and overthrow. The genres and systems of thought that they established have proven foundational. From the Renaissance onwards, wrestling with the 'Classics' has been one of the central dynamics of European culture. This course examines this dynamic and asks what does it mean to create a genealogy that goes back to antiquity? How have the ancients been used to develop ideas of 'Western' culture? One of the key themes emerging from these texts is the way in which they create the notion of the individual through the triangulation of competing duties in relation to the Gods, family, and the State. The works covered in this course reflect upon how this concern was played out in a variety of genres and by a diversity of authors.
WCIV1000 is a two-unit (#2) course designed to introduce students to the key works of literature and thought from the Classical World.ﾠThe course is delivered through a combination of a one-hour lecture and a two-hour intensive reading and discussion group. Regular attendance, reading and participationﾠin all components of the course is vital.
Course requirements
Assumed background
No prior knowledge of the ancient world is required for this course.
Restrictions
BAdvHum(Hons) and BHum/LLB(Hons) students only. BAdvHum(Hons) students taking this course as an elective please email westernciv@uq.edu.au to enable your enrolment. The maximum enrolment quota is 40.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
WCIV1000 aims to:
1. Introduce students to the ﾠsociety and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.
2. Exploreﾠ key texts and genres produced by these cultures.
3. Introduce students to methods of critical analysis of ancient texts and modern opinions.
4. Contribute to the acquisition of a range of graduate attributes, including the synthesis of ideas, the capacity to solve problems and ﾠto engage in teamwork, and the ability to communicate successfully both orally and in print.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand how social conditions facilitate the production of creative works.
LO2.
Understand how imaginative works reflect the concerns and anxieties of the period in which they were written.
LO3.
Be able to position key ideas and texts in relation to diverse civilisational groupings.
LO4.
Appreciate the ability of creative works to interrogate questions central to the human condition.
LO5.
Understand how ancient works have been deployed in the construction of ideas of the West; Western culture; and the individual.
LO6.
Appreciate the extent to which literary, dramatic, and artistic works influenced subsequent writers, artists, and philosophers.
LO7.
Be able to evaluate competing interpretations of a text.
LO8.
Be able to use evidence to construct arguments.
LO9.
Appreciate issues related to working in translation.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution | Class Participation | 15% |
4/03/2025 - 21/05/2025 |
| Presentation | Individual Presentation | 25% |
14/04/2025 2:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Essay | 30% |
28/05/2025 2:00 pm |
| Examination | Final Examination | 30% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Class Participation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
4/03/2025 - 21/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L07, L09
Task description
Students will be evaluated on their contribution to class discussion. Students may also contribute to class discussion through posting a short reflection (max 150 words) on the reading for that week on the course discussion board or responding to another student's posting.
This assessment task evaluates students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Individual Presentation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
14/04/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L08
Task description
Each student is required to give a 5-7 minute presentation on the significance of Greek literature to today's society. In the course of the presentation, each student must focus on one of the following texts: (1) Homer's Odyssey; (2) Sappho's Lyrics; (3) Sophocles, Antigone; or (4) Euripides, Medea. While the focus must be on one of these texts, students are able to discuss other texts studied in the course.
Students are encouraged to upload a video version of this presentation. However, they also have the option of submitting a script and an accompanying powerpoint presentation. Instructions about filming a video and uploading it will be given on the course blackboard site.
This assessment task evaluates students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Presentation files should be uploaded to designated dropbox on course website.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
28/05/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L08
Task description
In 1,000-1,500 words, explain the significance and influence of one of the following texts: Plato, Symposium; Suetonius, Lives; or Ovid, Metamorphoses. Further details about this task will be posted on the course Blackboard site.
This assessment task evaluates student’s abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission via Turnitin dropbox on course website
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Examination
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
Students will be required to answer two (2) essay questions from a choice of eight (8) questions. The questions will cover all of the texts studied in the course. Some questions may require knowledge of more than one text. Students are not permitted to repeat material used elsewhere in assessments.
This assessment task evaluates students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
The University recognises that on occasion a medical condition or other exceptional circumstances may impair a studentﾒs ability to attend an examination at the scheduled date and time. Depending on the circumstances, a deferred examination may be approved, and the student permitted to sit the in-semester or end of semester examination at a later scheduled time. Information on eligibility and application instructions can be accessed via my.UQ https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/deferring-exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 1, Serious Fail (0-24.99%), is generally awarded in cases where some work has been submitted, but of wholly unsatisfactory standard or quantity.ﾠIn work submitted, however, there is no demonstrated evidence of understanding of the concepts of the field of study or basic requirements of the course. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 2, Fail (25-44.99%),ﾠis generally awarded to work that exhibits deficiencies in understanding and applying the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study, and as such, does not satisfy the basic requirements of the course. Often, one or more major items of assessment will not have been completed. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Grade 3, Marginal Fail (45-49.99%),ﾠis generally awarded if a student has submitted work that attempts to meet the knowledge and skill requirements of the course, but is only able to demonstrate a superficial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course. Students will usually have attempted all major pieces of assessment and show that they have an identifiable, emerging ability to apply basic knowledge and skills. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 4, Pass (50-64.99%),ﾠis generally awarded where all major items of assessment have been submitted. An adequate knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study should be demonstrated and a functional skill level achieved. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 5, Credit (65-74.99%),ﾠis generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and a substantial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study have been demonstrated. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 6, Distinction (75-84.99%),ﾠis generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and substantial knowledge of the deeper and more complex aspects of the course and field of study have been demonstrated. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 7, High Distinction (85-100%),ﾠis generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and there is evidence that the deeper and more complex aspects of the course and field of study have been mastered. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Proof of Assessment Submission
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Advice for using TurnItIn can be found here - how to submit a TurnItIn assignment.
When assessments are successfully submitted a notice will display, before the Assignment Dashboard will appear.
Students must download a digital receipt from the Assignment Dashboard as evidence of submitting a piece of assessment. The digital receipt must include ‘Submission date’ and ‘Submission ID’ as evidence of assignment submission. Other documentation provided as evidence will not be accepted.
Marks Cannot be Changed After Being Released
Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator.
Assessment Re-mark
Information on requesting an assessment re-mark can be accessed via my.UQ https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/academic-progress-and-final-results/querying-result.
Deferred Examinations (if applicable)
The University recognises that on occasion a medical condition or other exceptional circumstances may impair a studentﾒs ability to attend an examination at the scheduled date and time. Depending on the circumstances, a deferred examination may be approved, and the student permitted to sit the in-semester or end of semester examination at a later scheduled time. Information on eligibility and application instructions can be accessed via my.UQ https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/deferring-exam.
Integrity Pledge
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments, students must ensure to have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial ﾖ https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%252fintegrity.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades
In accordance with the Assessment Judgements section of the Assessment Procedures, results for all summative assessment items are made available to individual students through the eLearning Management System on completion of marking, with the exception of the final assessment item which is to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Introduction to the Course and Homer |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Homer's World Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
Themes in Homer's Odyssey Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
Homeric Legacies Learning outcomes: L05, L06 |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Sappho's Lyricism Learning outcomes: L05, L06 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
Greek Drama: An Introduction Learning outcomes: L07 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
Putting Greek Drama in Context Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L06 |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
Reading Week |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
Themes in Plato Symposium Learning outcomes: L06, L08 |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Lecture |
Suetonius - Augustus and Nero Learning outcomes: L02 |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Lecture |
Introduction to Ovid Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05, L09 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Lecture |
Themes in the Metamorphoses: Learning outcomes: L06 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Lecture |
Revision and Exam Preparation Learning outcomes: L08, L09 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.