Module CLAS1601: Introduction to the Greek World

Department: Classics and Ancient History

CLAS1601: Introduction to the Greek World

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• This module is designed as an interdisciplinary introduction to ancient Greek history, society, and thought.
• It is a companion module to the plenary Monuments and Memory in the Age of Augustus (CLAS1301).
• It introduces all students in the department to the central themes, topics and terminology in the study of Archaic and Classical Greece, and equips them to use the basic intellectual resources available to assist that study.

Content

• The module consists of the study of ancient Greek history, society and culture, with a focus on the late Archaic and Classical periods.
• The module introduces students to a wide variety of different types of source material and evidence, including historical and other literary texts, inscriptions, and material evidence.

Learning Outcomes

• The student should have a knowledge of the basic topography and chronology of Archaic and Classical Greece, be familiar with main the sources for this subject, and have an understanding of the fundamental issues in scholarship in the field.

• The student should be able to access, discuss, and evaluate critically the different types of source material, and use basic reference tools and bibliography. They should have acquired some understanding of the different scholarly methodologies that have been developed for understanding evidence, and a basic grasp of the problems inherent in handling translated texts.

• The student should be able to appreciate the problems associated with evaluating evidence from other cultures, develop the ability to think independently, and acquire the skills needed to analyse, evaluate, and synthesise into a coherent argument a wide range of evidence. They should have acquired an ability to organise their workload and timetable in an efficient manner and to fulfil assignments promptly and efficiently.
• The student should be able to research topics using the library catalogue and databases and to organise, structure and present academic work in a professional manner.

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

• Lectures will provide an evaluation of the literary, historical and visual evidence, and seminars will allow students to develop skills in interpretation of ancient sources and modern scholarship.
• Study Skills sessions will introduce students to key resources available for studying the ancient world at University, and help them to develop their skills of analysis, evaluation and synthesis.
• The formative assessments will allow students to develop their academic study skills, and to develop their essay-writing competence.
• The summative assessment will assess the students' overall knowledge of the topic, their skills of analysis and synthesis, and their ability to present their ideas in an academic manner.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

■ 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