Classical Mythology

The myths of Ancient Greece and Rome are fascinating in their ingenuity and illogic. They have held our interest for literally thousands of years. They appear in art and literature created three thousand years ago and yesterday, and at all times in between.

We will read original Greek and Latin texts (in English translation), compare Greco-Roman mythology with that of the Norse, of Egypt, of India, of China, of Indigenous Australia, and beyond, find ancient mythology in modern art and literature, and even read some modern scholarship to get at what mythology is all about. Learn these timeless stories, but learn also how they came about and why. Look at the imprint they have left on our own culture and history. See how we still make myths today.

Enjoyment: Acting out role-plays, making short films/animations, visiting museums, hearing guest speakers, undertaking cultural craft and computer activities, and recreating major festivals. We will also write our own myths.

Challenge: Mythology is more than just a collection of stories. Learn to look through the stories to truths about the societies that create them. Rather than just belonging in prehistory, we continue to create myth today. See this process at work and understand its workings. Mythology is core to humanity.

Achievement: Classical Mythology underpins vast amounts of our artistic and literary culture. It is a vital component of Art History, and indispensable for the understanding and analysis of European literature. Other cultures’ myths similarly affect their art and literature. Students will learn to use modern scholarship critically to understand mythology.

Students will learn the major stories of Greco-Roman mythology. They will analyse them and find parallels and differences in other major myth systems. Myths come about for many different reasons, and fulfill different functions within ancient religion. Students will learn that mythology is a gateway to studying society as a whole.

Students will study myth as a system of belief intertwined with religion. They will learn to identify mythological tropes (common themes), and the influences of mythology on art and literature. They will practise research skills. Students will learn to read modern scholarship (academic papers) critically and write research papers of their own. They will also improve their skills at turning research into a presentation.

$20

This is a Non-RoSA course and will therefore not appear on your RoSA. Students are advised to do no more than 200 hours of Non-RoSA courses throughout Years 9 and 10.