DEATH, BURIAL AND AFTERLIFE
MDS2DTH
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject explores cultural approaches to the single event which will occur to all humankind: death. While concentrating on the archaeology, art and textual evidence from Greco-Roman antiquity, the subject also draws upon case studies from later periods and other societies to illustrate the richness and variety of cultural responses to death, employing modern ethnographic parallels to aid the interpretation of past practices. Topics covered will include the role of burial practices in defining living societies, through declarations not only of religion but also social status, age, gender and ethnicity in funerary procedures and monuments constructed to commemorate the dead; ideas, literature and art surrounding the afterlife, ghosts and underworld; and social approaches to ways of death such as war, disease and crime.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Gillian Shepherd
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: MDS2 DBA, MDS3 DBA
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: This subject will run in 2017 if MDS3 AGD does not run in 2017 (latter dependent on Anniversary funding for first iteration)
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Ability to analyse a source in depth and detail
- Activities:
- Tutorial interaction; assessed source analysis
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Ability to compare and contrast societies
- Activities:
- Tutorial interaction; assessed research essay
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Improved writing skills
- Activities:
- Assessed source analysis; assessed research essay
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
04. Increased knowledge of the material culture and literature of Greco-Roman and later societies
- Activities:
- Preparatory reading; lecture attendance; research for essay; tutorial interaction; assessed source analysis; assessed research essay
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Melbourne, 2017, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Gillian Shepherd
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source analysis (object/text) 1500 words | 40 | 01, 03, 04 | |
| Research essay (2500 words) | 60 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |