Module CLAS2681: HISTORY OF THE HELLENISTIC AGE

Department: Classics and Ancient History

CLAS2681: HISTORY OF THE HELLENISTIC AGE

Prerequisites

• CLAS1601 or one Level 1 History module.

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To extend the student's knowledge of the structures of the Greek socio-political history.
• To develop the student's appreciation of the features specific for Hellenistic period.
• To enable the student to understand the elementary socio-political and cultural developments of the period.

Content

• The module consists of the study of topics pertaining to the most important events of the Hellenistic history. Starting with Macedonia before Philip, the focus will be set on socio-political changes introduced by Philip of Macedon and Alexander the Great, and the single Hellenistic kingdoms.

Learning Outcomes

• The student should gain a knowledge of the basic elements of Hellenistic socio-political history and the society and be familiar with the elementary social and cultural features of the Hellenistic period.
• An overview and understanding of the relevant literary and inscriptional evidence and insight into source-specific problems.
• Insight in the current scholarly debates pertaining to Hellenistic history.

• Ability to apply methodology appropriate for the type of evidence.
• Ability to develop analytical and evaluative skills in handling the sources.
• Ability to use and understand modern scholarship when formulating an argument.

• Justifiable critical approach to a variety of heterogeneous sources, including analytical and evaluative skills.
• Justifiable critical approach to modern scholarly literature, based on understanding of a given argument.
• Capability to synthesize and formulate a plausible, clear and persuasive argument in writing.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures will introduce students to the relevant sources, and modern approaches in historical interpretation.
• Source- based seminars will provide an opportunity to dissect modern accounts of the Hellenistic history into the basic elements they stem from, and will invite students to try to formulate their own argument or support an existing one with their own assumptions

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative essay, Epiphany term.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University