CL3NW-The Greeks and the Natural World

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Emma Aston
Email: e.m.m.aston@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Aims:
This module aims to equip participants with an understanding of the contribution of the natural world to the social, economic, political, religious and cultural lives of the Classical Greeks.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:
' Assess the economic importance of agriculture and animal husbandry in key areas of the ancient Greek world
' Understand the relationship between social status and the control of natural resources
' Appraise the symbolic power of animals within Greek myth and cult practice
' Analyse the variety of ancient evidence which historians must use to reconstruct this area of ancient life
' Be aware of key themes and controversies which have shaped scholarship in this field

Additional outcomes:
The module aims to encourage the development of skills in written communication and in oral communication to other members of a group.

Outline content:
Topics this module will cover include:
' Agrarian realities and ideologies
' Nature and the regulation of time
' Animal husbandry, wealth and status
' Land ownership and politics
' The economics of exploitation
' The natural world in myth and cult
' The aesthetics of nature and the birth of the Pastoral

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
This module will be taught by lectures and seminars, with two contact hours per week.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	18
Seminars	2
Guided independent study:	180
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:
n/a

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Coursework
(1) A detailed proposal for the essay, of about 1000 words, due in by 12 noon on Friday week 6. (10%)
(2) An essay of about 3000 words, due in by 12 noon on the first Monday of Summer term. (90%)

Relative percentage of coursework: 100%

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission by 1 September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 20 September 2023