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:
- demonstrate knowledge of the chronological framework of the Greek world in this period;
- discuss the main political and military changes which took place in the Greek world in this period;
- discuss literary texts, inscriptions and archaeological evidence for the period, and assess the limitations of the different sources of evidence;
- 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 | |||
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.