CAH2CLM: Classical Mythology - Assessment 3b: Research Essay
History, Arts, and Linguistics
26th May 2025
2
CAH2CLM Classical Mythology
Assessment 3b: Research Essay
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Assessment 3b |
Research Essay |
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Due date |
11.59 pm (AEST/AEDT), Monday 28th October 2024 (after Week 12) |
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Weighting |
40% |
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Word count/length |
1750 words |
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SILOs |
Contextualise and analyse literary and material primary source evidence relating to ancient Greek and Roman mythology (SILO 1) Synthesise and interpret primary source evidence using disciplinary scholarship from Classics and Ancient History (SILO 2) Critique disciplinary scholarship and apply appropriate theoretical approaches in the context of interpreting ancient Greek and Roman mythology (SILO 3) Formulate and articulate a persuasive, evidence-based argument in an essay relating to ancient Greek and Roman mythology (SILO 4) |
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Feedback |
Brief written feedback will be available 3 weeks from the due date. |
Purpose
This summative task assesses the knowledge and skills you have acquired throughout the subject. This is your opportunity to demonstrate that you have achieved all the subject intended learning outcomes (SILOs).
Instructions
Drawing on your preparation in Assessment 3a and taking your feedback into account, to write your final research essay, answering ONE of the following questions:
How did ancient Greeks and Romans explain the origins of the universe? In your answer you should compare the mythological tradition with other more ‘rational’ ways of explaining creation in Graeco-Roman antiquity.
How are Greek deities (gods and goddesses) reinterpreted and reutilised in Rome? In your answer, discuss at least three deities in detail.
Compare and contrast Greek and Roman heroism. In your answer discuss at least three heroes in detail.
How could mortal men and women wi
n kleos
(fame) in Greek myth? Would a woman’s path
to kleos d
iffer from a man’s and if so, why?
What do
ancient
accounts of the Underworld/Hades tell us about
Greek and Roman
ideas around death? In your answer discuss in detail at least three mythical figures connected with the Underworld.
‘One of the roles of heroes was to civilise the earth’. Discuss this statement with reference to three relevant myths – these could relate to the foundation of cities, the slaying of monsters, or another pertinent theme.
Many
classical
myths
featur
e
family dynasties, from the Greek House of Atreus to the Roman kings. What do these myths tell us about ancient perceptions of familial roles and relationships?
In your answer discuss at least three figures from two families.
Include at least 2 primary and 4 scholarly sources to support your argument.
Your essay should be clearly structured, without subheadings, and use a formal academic tone – pay close attention to spelling, grammar and conventions such as the use of italics for titles or foreign words.
Format the essay using double spacing, a legible 12-point font and aligned to the left of the page.
Reference your work fully, including in-text citations and a bibliography. Adhere to the Chicago style for secondary references and the appropriate conventions for primary references. A minimum of 2 primary and 4 scholarly sources are required, but you can use more sources than this. Use relevant, scholarly (peer-reviewed) sources only.
Assessment Criteria
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Excellent |
Very Good |
Good |
Satisfactory |
Unsatisfactory |
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Understanding & Knowledge: Demonstrates understanding of subject matter and insightful engagement with the topic. There are no significant omissions or error of fact. |
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Research & Use of Evidence: Appropriate range of primary sources are identified, contextualised and critically analysed. Appropriate secondary sources are identified, evaluated and used to support the central contention, and are not merely summarised or used in place of the student's own argument. |
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Analysis & Argument The argument is clear, logical, sustained and relevant to the essay prompt throughout the essay. The argument is supported throughout by appropriate synthesis of primary and secondary evidence. The argument is original, insightful and nuanced. |
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Structure & Expression The expression is clear, fluent and readable. The essay, paragraphs and sentences are clearly and coherently structured; grammar, spelling and punctuation are correct; the tone is academic; the formatting follows guidelines; word count follows guidelines |
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Referencing & Instructions In-text citations are used correctly and thoroughly throughout the essay; the bibliography is complete and in the correct format. All other instructions followed. |
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Submission details
Submit through the relevant submission link in the LMS Assessment block under Assessment 3.