Module manager: Ellie Mackin Roberts
Email: E.MackinRoberts@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
| CLAS2740 | Greek Religion |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Religion was an integral part of life in ancient Greece, underpinning areas of experience which might seem quite separate and often 'secular' to us. In addition to introducing the student to an area of primary importance for the understanding of the ancient world, this module aims to promote an interdisciplinary approach, exploiting a variety of methodologies and sources, from literary texts and inscriptions to temple remains and vase-painting; such an approach is vital if we are to begin to reconstruct the practices, let alone the beliefs of ordinary people. 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’s aims are to gain an understanding of ancient Greek religion and of the various methodological approaches employed in its study. A series of lectures outlines what we know of the major public festivals, family rituals, and private observances of the people of ancient Greece, focussing on the sixth to fourth centuries BCE. Seminar discussions highlight methodological issues and the skills involved in handling different sorts of evidence (epigraphic, material, literary and iconographic).
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject. They will:
1. Undertake a sophisticated and critical discussion of ancient Greek religion and the challenging issues raised by confrontation with a religious system very different from those predominant in our own society.
2. Critically evaluate the different types of source material available for the study of Greek religion and the problems of interpretation they present.
3. Employ a wide variety of scholarly methods of enquiry in Greek religion, and critically evaluate the appropriateness of these methods to different aspects of the study.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes, being able to:
4. Critically analyse and synthesize information from a wide range of primary sources and secondary scholarship, applying appropriate methodologies to evaluate their reliability and significance.
5. Demonstrate advanced problem-solving and reflective thinking by addressing the challenges of interpreting incomplete and fragmentary evidence and proposing reasoned solutions.
6. Communicate persuasively through clear, structured, and well-supported arguments through a variety of media.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 16 | 1 | 16 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Private study hours | 179 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 21 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Student progress will be informally monitored via participation in the seminar discussions. Opportunities will also be provided for one-to-one consultation via the lecturer’s weekly Drop-In times. Formal feedback will be provided on the first coursework assignment, which will inform the student’s work on the second assignment.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Oral presentation | 40 |
| Coursework | Essay | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 07/05/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team