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CL2CGH: Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander

CL2CGH: Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander

Module code: CL2CGH

Module provider: Classics; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Emma Aston, email: e.m.m.aston@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 11 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module introduces students to Greek History of the Classical age (479-323 BC). It covers the period from the end of the Persian Wars, through the Peloponnesian War and the subsequent collapse of Sparta power, to the rise of Macedon and the meteoric career of Alexander the Great. Students will be introduced to the main events of this period and to the most important political and military developments. Particular focus is given to Athens, its democratic system ands its empire; also to Sparta, Boiotia and Macedonia. Students are introduced to the main sources of this period, especially the Greek historians and inscriptions, and to the main principles in their analysis. By the end of the module, students will not only have an overview of this period but will also have been introduced to the methods and principles central to the study of ancient history more broadly. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

  1. demonstrate knowledge of the chronological framework of the Greek world in this period;  
  2. discuss the main political and military changes which took place in the Greek world in this period;  
  3. discuss literary texts, inscriptions and archaeological evidence for the period, and assess the limitations of the different sources of evidence;  
  4. utilise and evaluate modern theories and approaches relevant to the history of the Greek world in the period of the module. 

Module content

This module examines the history of Greece in the Classical period (479-323 BC), including the Athenian Empire, Sparta, the development of Athenian democracy, the Peloponnesian War, the ascendancy of Thebes, the rise of Macedonia and the conquests of Alexander. It will also introduce students to the study of ancient sources, especially the works of the historians and inscriptions. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught in-person or online by a combination of lectures and seminars. 

Study hours

At least 6 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.


 Scheduled teaching and learning activities  Semester 1  Semester 2  Summer
Lectures 20
Seminars 6
Tutorials
Project Supervision
Demonstrations
Practical classes and workshops
Supervised time in studio / workshop
Scheduled revision sessions
Feedback meetings with staff
Fieldwork
External visits
Work-based learning


 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities  Semester 1  Semester 2  Summer
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions
Feedback meetings with staff
Other
Other (details)


 Placement and study abroad  Semester 1  Semester 2  Summer
Placement
Study abroad

Please note that the hours listed above are for guidance purposes only.

 Independent study hours  Semester 1  Semester 2  Summer
Independent study hours 174

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Type of assessment Detail of assessment % contribution towards module mark Size of assessment Submission date Additional information
Online written examination Online exam 50 2 hours Semester 1, Assessment Week 1
Written coursework assignment Essay 50 2,000 words Semester 1, Teaching Week 11

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

  • 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 three working days;
  • the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
  • where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
  • where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

  • where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
  • where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Type of reassessment Detail of reassessment % contribution towards module mark Size of reassessment Submission date Additional information
Online written examination Online Exam 50 2 hours During the university resit period
Written coursework assignment Essay 50 2,000 words During the University resit period

Additional costs

Item Additional information Cost
Computers and devices with a particular specification
Printing and binding
Required textbooks
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear
Specialist equipment or materials
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.

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