Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The module will adopt a longue duree approach to the study of Greece. Beginning in the Archaic era, it will encompass Classical, Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern periods. Each of the contributors will explore a specific theme from the perspective of their own academic discipline whether that is ancient, modern or ottoman bringing along the discipline’s concerns and historiography. Focusing on specific themes will allow us to make comparisons over time and to understand how changes can be radical at times but also in some respects how little societies may change over time. The module aims:

•       To encourage the students to examine Greek History from a variety of different perspectives.
•       To encourage students to think about history in the longue durée and in an interdisciplinary way
•       To encourage students to think comparatively and to draw parallels, connections and contrasts between Ancient, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Modern Greece.
•       To question some of our societal understandings of important concepts such as that of identity
•       To provide an opportunity to acquire a sound general knowledge of the subject, reading widely and critically in the primary and secondary literature associated with it and to develop the capacity for independent study.

Outline Of Syllabus

Outline syllabus, intended as a guide only; week-by-week topics may be slightly different to the following.

The syllabus is developed around a number of themes including Identity, refugee movements, Law and gender, Cities and architecture, women, and the past in the present, that is how the glorious ancient past is ‘used’ today in Greek society, culture and politics.

Some of the topics are:

• Greek identities
• Nation building
• Hellenistic Cities, Cities in Modern Greece
• Religion in Ottoman period and in Modern Greece
• Greek women in Hellenistic and Roman Egypt, women in the Ottoman period, Women in modern Greece
• The Civil War and its memory
• The past in the present
• Refugees

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

You will learn about some of the most significant aspects of Greek society from ancient times to today. These include Identity, Migrations, Religious beliefs, Law and gender, Landscape and architecture, and how the glorious ancient past is ‘used’ today in Greek society, culture and politics.

The module – though it may seem narrowly focused on Greece – will help you understand how recent our thinking of national boundaries and nationalities is; how much more fluid the concept of identity has been in the past in comparison to our current understanding; how much more mobile people had been in the past; how religious tolerance was present in the past.

Moreover, you will gain:
•       An in-depth knowledge of key ideas related to the History of Ancient, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern Greece
•       Knowledge and understanding of the key historiographical debates concerning Ancient, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern Greece.
•       A critical understanding of the considerable effects of the past and its extensive use in shaping Modern Greece and the present.
•       A critical understanding of the experiences of the field course location in the context of wider debates
•       You will gain knowledge and understanding of what is interdisciplinarity.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Development of the ability to formulate and answer historical questions.

Development of capacity for independent study and critical judgement and of the ability to respond promptly, cogently and clearly to new and unexpected questions arising from this study.

Development of the understanding and use of interdisciplinarity.

Development of the ability to utilise and synthesise diverse methodologies and approaches originating in a number of different academic disciplines.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures impart core knowledge and an outline of knowledge that students are expected to acquire. They also stimulate development of listening and note-taking skills.
Seminars provide students with an opportunity to participate in discussion and thus to improve their oral communication skills.
The two workshops will be used to offer advice and guidance to students in preparing their assignments.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The essay tests acquisition of a clear general knowledge of the subject as well as the ability to develop an appropriate topic, gather and synthesize information relevant to that topic, and express complex ideas clearly in written form using appropriate scholarly apparatus. All submitted work will test intended knowledge and skills outcomes and develops key skills in research, reading and writing.

Written exercise (assessed and formative) : This will be a 750 word review of an article/book out of the reading list of the module or a review of a radio/TV program that is relevant (to be agreed with the ML). Such an assignment prepares students in assessing, evaluating and critically discussing other peoples' work.

General Notes

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