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Unit of study_

ANHS1600: Ancient Greece: Societies, Concepts, Cultures

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

European culture, ideas, institutions and practices - literary genres, art, philosophy, historiography, democracy, political society and theory, war, law, science, mathematics, medicine, sport - the list is long - all have their beginnings in Ancient Greece. In this introductory unit basic foundations will be laid for the study of the Ancient Greeks and their world. Focus will be less upon events and individuals and more on the themes that run through the forms of Greek thought and society from the early Archaic period (750 BCE) to the beginning of the Hellenistic period after the death of Alexander the Great (300 BCE).

Unit details and rules

Unit code ANHS1600
Academic unit Classics and Ancient History
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
ANHS1003
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ben Brown, benjamin.brown@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Ben Brown, benjamin.brown@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Summative Take-Home Exercise
Summative Take-Home Exercise
30% Formal exam period
Due date: 07 Jun 2024 at 17:00
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Tutorial Exercises
Short tutorial exercises
20% Multiple weeks 2 x 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation Participation
Tutorial Participation
10% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5
Online task Early Feedback Task
Understanding Ancient Source Citation Quiz #earlyfeedbacktask
0% Week 02
Due date: 01 Mar 2024 at 23:59
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Assignment Documentary Research Exercise
Documentary Research Exercise
40% Week 10
Due date: 29 Apr 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction: who were the 'Ancient Greeks'? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
[No Tutorial in Week 1] Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 02 What are the questions of Ancient Greek History—and how do we answer them? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial 1: Introduction—how should we organize and explain the past? Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 03 Historical Explanation, Narrative and Periodization in Ancient Greek History Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial 2: What should historians do with an ancient text? Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 04 In the beginning there was Homer... Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial 3: What should historians do with an ancient object? Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 The Life Conditions of Greek History: The Mediterranean Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial 4: What is a map? How to think about space historically Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 06 The Dynamics of Early Greek Society: War, Surplus and Status Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
[NO TUTORIAL IN WEEK 6 (GOOD FRIDAY)] Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 07 'Animals live in the wild, men live in cities'—Politics and Political Community in Archaic and Classical Greece Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial 5: What is Ancient Greek Epigraphy? Studying ancient Greek inscriptions on stone Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 08 The "long fifth century", 522-371 BCE: Persian Athens and Sparta Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial 6: Evaluating Modern Scholarship—How to read a journal article Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Women and Gender in Ancient Greece Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
[No Tutorial in Week 9: ANZAC DAY] Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 10 Did the Ancient Greeks have an 'economy'? Slavery and Exchange in the Greek World Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial 7: Reading Ancient Biography—can a Greek life written by a Roman be historically useful? Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 The Invisible World: Religion and the Supernatural among the Greeks Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial 8: 'Growing up in Athens'—Religion and Adolescence in Ancient Greece Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 12 'The truth behind the world': The Greek Intellectual Revolution 550-350 BCE Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial 9: How should we approach the fragments of early Greek Philosophy and History? Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 13 'The World Alexander Made': Hellenistic Greece Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial 10: 'I don't get it'—Reading Menander's Early Hellenistic Comedy as historical evidence (of what?) Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There are no prescribed textbooks for this unit.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. identify and explain the key periods of Ancient Greek History
  • LO2. demonstrate a basic familiarity with the form and content of Ancient Greek society, culture and thought
  • LO3. demonstrate a developing ability to understand and apply historical source analysis in Ancient Greek History
  • LO4. apply historical approaches and sensitivity toward an understanding of an historical culture remote from the present in time, thought and space
  • LO5. demonstrate an ability to comprehend and analyze contemporary scholarly approaches and viewpoints in Ancient Greek History
  • LO6. understand the ethical responsibility that comes with acquiring and applying historical knowledge
  • LO7. communicate with, persuade and influence others in the field of Ancient Greek History through different media
  • LO8. act civilly and with respect toward peers in the discussion of historical ideas

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.