Outline

Overview

What is ancient history for? How do ancient historians work? And what makes a good piece of classical scholarship today? This first-year ancient history unit will equip you with skills to become an ancient historian. You will delve into the intricacies of diverse types of evidence, from material artifacts to literary works to inscriptions, learning the skills to analyse and interpret them. We will guide you through the process of reading and writing academic prose, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and effective communication. At the end you will find that the work of the ancient historian has much in common with that of a detective who interrogates sources to build a case.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Classics and Ancient History
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ben Brown, benjamin.brown@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final exam 1.5 hr / 1,500 word-equivalent. Hurdle task: You must pass the exam in order to be eligible to pass the unit.	35%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	In-Class Test - Early Feedback Task #earlyfeedbacktask	5%	Week 03	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Evidence analysis 1,250 words. This assessment tests your grasp of the processes of finding, collecting, and analyzing ancient evidence and its interpretation.	25%	Week 08 Due date: 26 Sep 2025 at 23:59	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Scholarship research analysis 1,250 words. This assessment tests your ability to find, collect, rank and evaluate modern scholarship relating to a hypothetical research project.	25%	Week 12 Due date: 31 Oct 2025 at 23:59	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Ongoing participation Prepared, scholarly participation in class throughout semester.	10%	Weekly	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = early feedback task ?

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

Participation (10%)

Early Feedback Task (out of class quiz) (5%)

Evidence analysis (written work, 1250 w) (25%)

Scholarship research analysis (written work, 1250 w) (25%)

Formal Examination (35%)

Assessment criteria

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.

Individual Assignments will be supplied with their own rubrics.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	All standards for the learning outcomes of the unit of study have been exceeded, demonstrating a high level of scholarly aptitude.
Distinction	75 - 84	All the learning outcomes of the unit of study have been deemed met to an exceptional standard.
Credit	65 - 74	Some learning outcomes of the unit of study have been demonstrated beyond what is expected of a satisfactory standard.
Pass	50 - 64	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have been met to a satisfactory standard.
Fail	0 - 49	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per current FASS policy on Late Penalties

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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 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. 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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	What is Ancient History? Evidence, Scholarship and Explanation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	'Ancient History' has a history: from Herodotus to here...	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	TUTORIAL 1 What is Ancient History: some views and a beginning	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	EVIDENCE I: Contexts, Form, Content, Transmission	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	TUTORIAL 2 Greek and Roman historians: what sorts of question were they asking?	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	EVIDENCE II: Texts and Literature	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	TUTORIAL 3 Observing the Past: what is a source?	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	EVIDENCE III: The 'Fragment'	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	TUTORIAL 4 Writing, Texts and Transmission: where do our sources come from?	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	EVIDENCE IV: Inscriptions and Papyri	Lecture (2 hr)
	TUTORIAL 5 The Main sources I: Literary texts and their contexts	Tutorial (1 hr)
	TUTORIAL 6 The Main Sources II: What were the sources of our sources? Source-criticism and the problem of the 'fragment'	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	EVIDENCE V: Coins, material culture, architecture and space	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	SCHOLARSHIP I: Dialogue and Debate	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	TUTORIAL 7 The Main Sources III: Ancient Documents (inscriptions and papyri): how to read and study them historically	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	SCHOLARSHIP II: Working with Core Materials	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	TUTORIAL 8 The Main Sources IV: Coins and History	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	HISTORY'S TASK: EXPLANATION I How do we interpret and explain the past?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	TUTORIAL 9 The Main Sources V: Language, Linguistics and Translations: why are they so important to history?	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	HISTORY'S TASK: EXPLANATION II The history of historical explanation: theories and models	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	TUTORIAL 10 Scholarship and Criticism: the core of what ancient historians do	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	HISTORY'S TASK: EXPLANATION III: What is my research question—and why does it matter?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	TUTORIAL 11 Interpreting the evidence: what types of explanation are there?	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Sydney's Ancient Historians on their own practice: some interviews	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	TUTORIAL 12 Interrogating the Present through the Past: what sort of answer am I seeking when I ask questions of the ancient world?	Tutorial (1 hr)

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.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Describe the history and practice of the discipline of Ancient History
LO2. Use ancient evidence (textual, visual and material) in order to answer questions
LO3. Understand the role of scholarly argument in the creation and sharing of disciplinary knowledge
LO4. Understand the conventions and expectations for researching and writing in the discipline
LO5. Contextualise, analyse and interpret diverse forms of ancient evidence
LO6. Evaluate different points of view in an appropriately scholarly way
LO7. Reflect on their own practice as ancient historians

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

First iteration of this unit

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ANHS1603: Thinking Like an Ancient Historian

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links