HIS4213 – Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses: historical approaches
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The Greeks and the Romans had many gods and goddesses. These deities were omnipresent, and they played important roles in all aspects of human life. This course will explore how we should understand them, looking at different ancient sources, including mythological stories, temples, cults and votive gifts. We will also examine how modern scholars have looked at ancient gods and goddesses, sometimes in terms of functions or modes of actions, or as complex personae. Finally, we will consider how the multi-faceted quality of these deities has allowed ancient gods to survive antiquity and thrive in medieval and modern art, literature, and films.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Recommended previous knowledge
To take this course students have to have a basic understanding of the historian’s craft, which includes the ability to find and read research relevant historiographical literature and to identify and analyse primary sources. A good ability to read and understand English is also required.
Teaching
The course is taught in seminars, where the students will be active participants. Students are expected to prepare the seminar readings for discussion and to contribute orally to the course.
Students are expected to attend all teaching. The quality of the teaching depends on active participation in all group sessions.
Compulsory assignments:
- Compulsary attendence:
The teaching of this course is based in active student participation. There will be various activities in the seminars throughout the semester. Specific information on the activities will be given in Canvas. Absence from up to two seminars can be approved in agreement with the lecturer.
Resources and information will be provided via Canvas
Examination
The course is assessed by a term paper of maximum 5000 words, including footnotes. The bibliography is not included in the word count.
Submission of assignment:
- You submit your term paper in Inspera.
- The file must be submitted in pdf-format and we stress that the student is responsible for making sure that the files are readable. If you need assistance in converting your file into pdf, we recommend that you follow these instructions.
- The students are responsible to make sure that the documents are complete upon submitting them in Inspera. The submissions will be assessed in the form by which they are uploaded by the students. Unreadable or incomplete documents are assessed as they are.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.