ASIA6062 Indian Epics
| Offered By | School of Culture, History and Language |
|---|---|
| Academic Career | Graduate Coursework |
| Course Subject | Asian Studies |
| Offered in | First Semester, 2012 |
| Unit Value | 6 units |
| Course Description |
Indian Epics is centered on the study of two epic narratives, the Ramayana and Mahabharata. These two master-texts have exerted unequalled influence throughout the greater Indic civilisational realm for two millennia, and continue to form and inform the Indian national consciousness today. The course engages with four disciplines: literature, anthropology, history, and cultural studies. It is specifically designed for flexible delivery using innovative approaches to information technology. The course is divided into two halves. The first half deals with the Ramayana. The second half deals with the Mahabharata. Seven weekly activities support the course objectives: (1) Epic Reading, (2) Epic Reading Guide, (3) Theory Reading, (4) Story Retelling, (5) Read and Respond, (6) Famous Last Words, (7) Workshop. On average, these activities require students to spend 8 hours per week on them. Only one session, the Workshop (one hour), will be face-to-face. The other activities can be completed online. |
| Learning Outcomes |
Students will gain a three-fold understanding of epics. 1. They will gain a very high level empirical understanding of the basic themes, plots and characters of the two great Indian epics through weekly reading of epics texts. 2. They will gain deep, sophisticated and comprehensive theoretical understanding of epic literature and cultural practice as a genre. 3. They will achieve a very high level of understanding of epic as a creative process by undertaking the production of epic narrative in a variety of genres and media. |
| Indicative Assessment |
Cumulative weekly assessment requirements (12 weeks): Creative writing task 16% (on -line) (600 words per week) (LO 1,2,3) Theoretical mind-mapping exercise 16% (on -line) (LO 1,2,3) Responsive writing exercise ('Read and Respond') 16% (on -line) (150 words each) (LO 1,2,3) Learning Journal ('Famous Last Words') 16% (on-line) (400 words per week) (LO 1,2,3) Participation 8% (students need to be collegial, cooperative, and contributive members of a learning community to expect full marks) (LO 1,2,3) Final creative project (28%) (LO 1,2,3) |
| Workload |
1 hour contact, 8-9 hours online |
| Course Classification(s) | TransitionalTransitional courses are designed for students from a broad range of backgrounds and learning achievements, which provide for the acquisition of generic skills; or an informed understanding of contemporary issues; or fundamental knowledge for transition to Advanced or Specialist courses. |
| Requisite Statement |
6 university courses (36 units) |
| Recommended Courses |
Nil |
| Prescribed Texts |
1. Ramayana by R. K. Narayan (Penguin) and |
| Technology Requirements |
Students require internet access |
| Academic Contact | mccomas.taylor@anu.edu.au |
The information published on the Study at ANU 2012 website applies to the 2012 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2011 website.
