Module manager: Dr Samuel Gartland
Email: s.d.gartland@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module provides a historical survey of events in the Greek world from the eighth to the fourth centuries BC, followed by a more detailed study of the social and cultural life of fifth- and fourth-century BC Athens. Topics include: the workings of democracy; women and the family; slavery; religion; and the place of drama in the city. Throughout there is an emphasis on the ancient sources: how do we know all this? Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The module is intended as a foundation for further studies in all aspects of Greek civilisation by providing an introduction to some major issues in the study of classical Greece today. It offers an introduction to the broad lines of development of ancient Greek history from the eighth to the fourth centuries B.C.; a more detailed knowledge of the social and cultural history of fifth and fourth century B.C. Athens; and an appreciation of the variety of ancient sources available and methodologies for their interpretation.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Identify and describe the development of, and major events in, archaic and classical Greek history.
2. identify and describe major Athenian social and cultural institutions.
3. Engage with primary evidence and recognise issues and problems involved in the use of that primary evidence.
4. Locate and engage critically with modern scholarship relating to Greek history.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Evaluate, select and apply appropriate strategies for the analysis of primary evidence.
6. Communicate the results of your work effectively.
7. Synthesise and reflect on a large body of subject matter and select appropriately from it for particular purposes.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 21 | 1 | 21 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Private study hours | 174 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 26 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
As this is a core module for students on the Classical Civilisation and Ancient History programmes, student progress is monitored carefully and regularly in order to provide formative feedback and help students to adjust to working at University level. Formative feedback is provided by the seminar classes, where students articulate their ideas as part of discussion with their peers and the seminar tutor. The preparation for the seminars will be directly formative for the tasks that will be set in the coursework portfolio. This portfolio will respond to the full range of learning objectives for the module.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Written Portfolio | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 25/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team