Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 4
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
This course involves a masterclass presented by a leading UQ researcher and/or Visiting Scholar with research interests in Western Civilisation. This course aims to bring Honours students into direct contact with cutting-edge research and the masterclass will involve readings relating to either a current project or specialist research interest of a leading researcher. It will provide an opportunity to learn directly how this researcher designs and conducts their research program.
In this course, we will revisit the genre of Greek tragedy and explore its history and contemporary relevance. Students will have an opportunity to explore texts not previously studied in the Western Civilisation extended major. The course will focus on how this genre of Greek drama both confirms and challenges contemporary notions of the 'tragic.'ﾠ
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
HUMN3300.
Restrictions
BAdvHum(Hons) Western Civilisation Field of Study students only.
Course contact
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of WCIV6000 is to introduce students to and involve them in cutting-edge research projects that address issues in the study of Western Civilisation. Students should come to understand the process of research project design and execution through participation, discussion and independent research. They should learn to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different methodological approaches to a research question, understand that different research questions require different methods and theories, and engage with other researchers to advance their own research skills.
ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate, through oral participation and written communication, knowledge of cutting-edge research projects that address issues in the study of Western Civilisation.
LO2.
Understand the process of research project design and execution.
LO3.
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different methodological approaches to a research question.
LO4.
Understand that different research questions require different methods and theories.
LO5.
Develop skills in group work and oral presentations.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution | Participation | 15% |
25/02/2025 - 3/04/2025 |
| Presentation | Seminar Presentation | 10% |
Dates for presentations will be allocated at the first class session. |
| Presentation | Group Presentation | 35% |
3/04/2025 8:00 am
Presentation will occur in final seminar. |
| Essay/ Critique | Research Essay | 40% |
29/04/2025 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Participation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
25/02/2025 - 3/04/2025
Task description
Participation is essential for passing this course, and requires you to interact respectfully and learn from your peers. Students are expected to participate in seminar discussions and relevant seminar tasks. This assessment requires you to show evidence of preparation for seminars and participate in small group discussions with relevant and well-focused comments.
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.
Seminar Presentation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
Dates for presentations will be allocated at the first class session.
Task description
At the start of semester, students will select one text on which they will give an introductory ten-minute presentation. The presentation should introduce the historical and mythological background to the play. It should identify the key themes in the play and any other points of significant interest. Students may also discuss significant productions of the play. The presentation should be accompanied by a powerpoint. Presentations will be followed by a short question session on the presentation.
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.
Group Presentation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
3/04/2025 8:00 am
Presentation will occur in final seminar.
Task description
In this presentation, your group will be required to 'pitch' a new production of one of the plays studied in this semester. Your presentation, which should last 15-20 minutes, should address why you think the play resonates with the concerns of contemporary audiences. You may also in your presentation discuss issues of staging, set design, costuming, casting, similarity/difference with previous productions, and any other relevant production issues. You may also act out a scene from the play to illustrate your approach to its staging. You are encouraged to support your pitch with suitable audio-visual aids.
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 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.
Research Essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
29/04/2025 2:00 pm
Task description
The topic of your essay will be developed in consultation with the course co-ordinator. Basic bibliography will be provided, however, students are expected to go beyond it in researching their topic. The essay should be between 2,000-2,500 words.
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
The Research Essay must be submitted through Turnitin before 14:00 PM on 29 April, 2025.
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.
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 there has been some engagement with the assessment task and/or some work has been submitted, but of wholly unsatisfactory standard or quantity. 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%), is 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%), is 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 and field of study. 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%), is 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%), is 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%), is 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%), is 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 ﾖ 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.
Own copy required
You'll need to have your own copy of the following reading resources. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Book |
The Greek plays: sixteen plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides
by Aeschylus; Sophocles; Euripides; Lefkowitz; Mary R.; Romm; James S. - 2017 Publisher: The Modern Library ISBN: 9780812983098; 9780679644484; 9780812993004 |
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) |
Seminar |
Course Introduction and Aeschylus Agamemnon |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Seminar |
Oresteia (Libation Bearers and Eumenides) |
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Seminar |
Oedipus and Oedipus at Colonus + Bettany Hughes Seminar |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Seminar |
Persians and Prometheus Bound and Medea |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Seminar |
Hippolytus and Sophocles' Electra and Euripides' Electra |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Seminar |
Alcestis and Group Presentations |
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.