Ethnic Identity in the Greco-Roman World

Subject ANCW40008 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

On campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: 10 hours per week: total time commitment 120 hours
Prerequisites: Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year Honours in Classics or Classical Studies and Archaeology
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Rhiannon Evans

Contact

Rhiannon Evans rmevans@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

This seminar will investigate the ancient Greeks and Romans understanding of their own identity. The construction of ethnicity, from the early Greek city-states to the poly-ethnic empire of the Romans, will be examined using a range of literary, iconographical and material sources. Students will draw on recent sociological and anthropological theories of ethnicity to analyse the creation and social importance of Greek and Roman self-identity. Particular attention will be given to the use of origin myths to create and explore ethnic self-identity, the strategies by which ethnic groups distinguished themselves from others, the representation of interaction among different peoples and culture, and how strict the boundaries separating different ethnicities really were in antiquity.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject should...

  • recognise the strategies employed by Greeks and Romans to construct and maintain their ethnic identity.
  • utilise a variety of sociological and athropological methodologies in the analysis of these identities.
  • identify the roles of ethnicity in ancient Greek and Roman societies and cultures.
  • demonstrate familiarity with the literary, iconographical and archaeological evidence for the re-construction of Greek and Roman ethnic-identity.
Assessment: A 1500 word presentation report 30% (due during the semester) and a 3500-word essay 70% (due in the examination period).
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be skilled in critical thinking.

  • possess effective written communication skills.

  • have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Ancient World Studies
Ancient and Medieval Studies
Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Studies
Classical Studies and Archaeology
Classical Studies and Archaeology
Classical Studies and Archaeology
Classics
Classics
Classics

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