CLA2001 - Greek History: Problems and Sources
2017/8 Module description
| Staff | Dr Emma Nicholson - Convenor |
|---|---|
| Credit Value | 30 |
| ECTS Value | 15 |
| NQF Level | 5 |
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Co-requisites | None |
| Duration of Module | Term 1: 11 weeks; Term 2: 11 weeks; |
Module description
This module introduces the history of the Greek world from the Archaic period to the rise of Rome. It explores who the ‘Greeks’ were, and how their culture came to dominate the eastern Mediterranean and beyond, as well as exploring in depth the different forms of ancient evidence that help us to reconstruct their world. This module offers an introduction not only to the political and military history of the Greek world, from the Persian Wars to the campaigns of Alexander and the eventual conquest by Rome, but also to their economic, social, religious and intellectual life.
Module aims
The module provides an introduction to Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic Greek history. Through a close study of ancient evidence and modern scholarship students will come to understand the limitations of textual evidence, as well as the general themes and problems of the periods and regions covered.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Detailed knowledge of Greek history, from the archaic period to the end of the Hellenistic kingdoms
- 2. 2. Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of scholarly approaches to Greek history
- 3. Demonstrate detailed familiarity with key sources for Greek history
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant historiographical methods
- 5. Critical analyse and interpret of a range of relevant ancient historical sources
- 6. Analyse and interpret the ideas and ideologies of ancient peoples
- 7. Digest and organise diverse historical information into a coherent and analytical argument
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 8. Demonstrate knowledge of and proficiency in methods of interpreting evidence
- 9. Critically analyse and interpret written documents
- 10. Intellectually criticise ideas and ideologies
- 11. Digest and organise diverse information into a coherent and analytical argument
- 12. Write different types of analytical reports
- 13. Conduct independent research
Syllabus plan
Topics to be covered in Term 1 will include: the emergence of the Greek polis, the variety of political systems and constitutions, the development of Athenian democracy and of the Spartan system, the period of colonisation, the Persian and the Peloponnesian Wars, and the development of Greek society, religion and culture. Topics to be covered in term 2 will include: the rise of Macedon and the crisis of classical Greece, the conquests of Alexander and the establishment of the successor kingdoms, the spread of Hellenism and interactions with native cultures, and the rise of Rome to Mediterranean hegemony.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | 248 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activity | 44 | Lectures (44 x 1 hours) |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activity | 8 | Seminars (8 x 1 hour) |
| Guided independent study | 248 | Independent study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Close study of key primary and secondary texts in seminars, with broader discussions of issues | 1-13 | verbal feedback from peers and lecturer |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source Analysis | 20 | 1000 words | 1-6, 8-13 | Written and oral feedback |
| Essay | 30 | 2500 words | 1-13 | Written and oral feedback |
| Exam | 50 | 2 hours | 1-11 | Written and oral feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source Analysis | Source Analysis | 1-6, 8-13 | ref/def period |
| Essay | Essay | 1-13 | ref/def period |
| Exam | Exam | 1-11 | ref/def period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
1. Indicative Ancient Texts:
Herodotus Histories
Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War
Xenophon Hellenica
Polybius, Histories
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History
Plutarch, Lives
Appian, The Foreign Wars
2. Examples of General Introductions:
J.K. Davies, Democracy and Classical Greece 2nd edition (London, 1993)
A. Erskine (ed), A Companion to the Hellenistic World (Oxford 2003)
S. Hornblower, The Greek World 479-323 BC 3rd edition (London, 2002)
R. Osborne, Greece in the Making 1200-479 BC 2nd Edition (London, 2009)
G. Shipley, The Greek World after Alexander 323-30 BC (London, 2000)
F.W. Walbank, The Hellenistic World 2nd edition (London, 1992)
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Available as distance learning?
Yes
Origin date
2011
Last revision date
06/02/2017
Key words search
Classics, Greek History, Sources
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Foreign Language Centre modules 2020/21
Term 1 module codes listed above ending with C, i.e. FLF1115C, are only available to outbound students who are away in Term 2. Students studying all year must select the standard module across both Term 1 and 2.