The World of Classical Athens: Politics and Society (ANCH2040)

Course overview

A rich exploration of classical Athens, the world's first democracy, its cultural highlights, and the society and politics which made them possible from 508 to 322 BC.

ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ This second-year course of 3 contact hours per week explores the fascinating social and cultural history of classical Athens and the intriguing institutional history of this state’s democracy and armed forces from the popular uprising of 508 BC to its occupation by the Macedonians in 322. Classical Athens was around 20 times larger than an average-sized polis or Greek city-state. In the fifth century it controlled an empire of more than 250 city-states and remained a major military power in the next century. This famous polis developed democracy to a far higher level than any other state before the nineteenth century AD and laid foundations for the visual arts, the literature and the sciences of the ancient and the modern worlds. This second-year course puts these extraordinary achievements into perspective by analysing the economy, social base, cultural beliefs and state institutions of democratic Athens in the classical period.

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ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ The World of Classical Athens: Politics and Society goes beyond the history of events, battles, personalities and individual pieces of art in order to investigate the economy, the society, the culture and the institutions that made such things possible and that formed the ‘social context’ in which this state’s playwrights, orators, visual artists and intellectuals produced their famous works. Therefore, the richly illustrated lectures of this second-year course consider the territory and natural resources of the classical Athenians and the scope and the organisation of their economic activity. In addition, they analyse the different status groups of Attic residents, and the institutional and conceptual divisions of the citizen body. There are dedicated classes on the place of women in classical Athens and the man-made parameters that constrained their female lives.

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ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ The World of Classical Athens: Politics and Society investigates the social and the political beliefs of lower-class Athenians as well as the founding myths and the popular views of the state’s history that gave them their sense of self and of distinction from ‘barbarians’ and other Greeks. It introduces students to all the major classes of evidence for the cultural history of classical Athens. Each of the tutorials focusses on a play, an oration, an inscription or a treatise of this illustrious city-state. This second-year course surveys the development of Athenian democracy from 508 to 322, and explores its political and military institutions and what the Athenian dēmos or people thought were the fundamental principles of their dēmokratia. Major themes of this course are the extent to which the democracy transformed the economic and religious practices and the social and gender relations that the classical Athenians had inherited from their archaic forebears and whether this new system of government contributed to their amazing economic, cultural and military achievements in the classical period.

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ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ The World of Classical Athens: Politics and Society enables students to develop a deep understanding of an ancient state of ongoing world significance and the general knowledge which is essential for research into the language and the literature of the ancient Greeks. This second-year course serves as the solid foundation that equips students to study ancient Athens or Greek history more generally at third-year level and beyond.

Course requirements

Assumed background

There are no compulsory prerequisites for this course. ANCH2040 The World of Classical Athens: Democracy, Culture and Society complements, and builds on, ANCH1240 The Rise of Ancient Greece: Greek History to 404 BC.

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

ANCH1240

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ This second-year course consists of 2 consecutive lectures and 1 tutorial in most of the teaching weeks. Every week there is 1 double lecture of 2 hours. There is no teaching in week 4 because of the Brisbane Exhibition Public Holiday. In 10 of the teaching weeks 2 hours of lectures are followed by a tutorial of 1 hour. There are no tutorials in weeks 1, 4 and 13. Participation is compulsory for tutorials and highly recommended for lectures.

Aims and outcomes

The aims of this second-year course are:

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1 To study the social and cultural history of classical Athens and the development and operation of its democracy from 508 to 322 BC

2 To analyse the economy, the society, the culture and the institutions which stood behind the political and cultural achievement of ancient Greece’s most successful city-state

3 To assess the impact of democracy on the economic activity, social relations and perceptions of the classical Athenians

4 To explore the range, character and value of literary and archaeological evidence for classical Athenian history

5 To rehearse general knowledge and skills which are required for research in Ancient History and Classics

6 To introduce important modern scholarship on the history of classical Athens

7 To ready students for the studying of ancient Greek history at third-year level and beyond.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Tutorial Assignment 1

Mode

Oral, Written

Category

Essay/ Critique, Tutorial/ Problem Set

Weight

25%

Other conditions

Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Submission guidelines

Via the Turn-It-In tab for tutorial paper 1 on BlackBoard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

·       Extension applications must be via my.UQ –> Manage my program - > exams and assessment -> Applying for an extension. 

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Tutorial participation

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Participation/ Student contribution

Weight

10%

Due date

Please consult learning activities

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Tutorial Assignment 2

Mode

Activity/ Performance, Written

Category

Essay/ Critique, Participation/ Student contribution, Tutorial/ Problem Set

Weight

25%

Other conditions

Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Submission guidelines

Via the Turn-It-In tab for Tutorial Paper 2 on BlackBoard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

·       Extension applications must be via my.UQ –> Manage my program - > exams and assessment -> Applying for an extension. 

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Course examination

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

40%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Extension applications must be via my.UQ –> Manage my program - > exams and assessment

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

1.            Essay Assessment Criteria (History, Ancient History and Classics, Studies in Religion)

Your essay will be assessed according to the following criteria: 

1.             Ability to construct a well-reasoned argument.

2.             Depth and breadth of knowledge and understanding of central issues.

3.             Ability to form a well-structured essay.

4.             Engagement with academic sources and evidence.

5.             Insight and/or creativity in interpreting texts or constructing a point of view or argument.

6.             Capacity to produce a coherent and well-written essay using correct grammar and syntax.

7.             Appropriately referenced, as per discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), your essay should reflect an exceptional level of achievement. It should demonstrate that you have undertaken extensive, high-level research, that you are able to form a very rigorous, well-organised argument, and that your discussion is original and creative. It should also demonstrate that you are able to evaluate and organise data and/or evidence in a critical manner and that you have a sophisticated and insightful understanding of problems and issues. Your essay should be very well written, clear and concise, pay strict attention to discipline conventions and have minimal, if any errors in referencing, expression, grammar, spelling and punctuation.

To achieve a grade of 6 (Distinction, 75 – 84%), your essay should reflect an advanced level of achievement. It should demonstrate that you have undertaken wide research, that you are able to form a rigorous, well-organised argument, and that your discussion is coherent and convincing. It should also demonstrate that you are able to evaluate data and/or evidence in a perceptive manner, and that your understanding of problems and issues is perceptive and insightful. Your essay should be well written, clear and concise, follow discipline conventions and have few errors in referencing, expression, grammar, spelling and punctuation.

To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65 – 74%) your essay should reflect a proficient level of achievement. It should demonstrate that you have undertaken the expected level of research, that you are able to develop or adapt convincing arguments and justify them adequately, that you are able to evaluate data and/or evidence in a proficient manner, and that you have a proficient understanding of problems and issues. The presentation and referencing of your essay will largely follow discipline conventions, perhaps have some errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation, and demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively.

To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50 – 64%) your essay should reflect a functional level of achievement. It should demonstrate that you are able to apply fundamental concepts and skills, that you have undertaken a basic level of research and have the basic ability to evaluate data and/or evidence, to identify problems and issues, to offer insights and to develop routine arguments. Your organisation, writing, referencing, spelling and grammar will be adequate and use some of the discipline conventions to communicate appropriately.

To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45 – 49%) your essay should reflect developing levels of achievement. It should demonstrate that you have a superficial level of knowledge of fundamental concepts and skills, that you have undertaken a basic level of research, made some attempt to evaluate data and/or evidence, to identify problems and issues, and to offer some insights. Your arguments, while underdeveloped, show your emerging ability to apply knowledge and skills. Your organisation, writing, spelling and grammar will be adequate, perhaps poor, and your referencing and use of discipline conventions poor/and or inconsistent.

To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%) your essay will reflect deficiencies in skill acquisition and in your understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course. It will demonstrate that you have not undertaken adequate research, that you are unable to evaluate data and/or evidence, to identify problems and issues, or to offer insights adequately. Your arguments will be unsupported and/or inappropriate, your organisation and writing will be poor and/or inappropriate, and referencing and use of discipline conventions poor/and or inconsistent.

To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%), your essay will reflect that you have failed to meet the minimum learning requirements and skill acquisition for this course. Your essay will demonstrate an absence of research, evaluation of data and/or evidence, and lack argumentation. Use of discipline conventions will be absent, poor or inappropriate, and written expression poor or inappropriate.

1.            Tutorial Participation Assessment Criteria

Your tutorial participation will be assessed according to the following criteria: 

1.             Evidence of participation in discussions.

2.             Evidence of preparation for the tutorial, most notably through completing the set readings.

3.             Quality of contributions to discussions.

4.             Fostering of group discussions, through courteous and respectful interactions with staff and students.

5.             Attendance is necessary to fulfill the above criteria, as per the course requirements, but marks cannot be awarded for attendance alone.

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), your attendance will be flawless and your participation exceptional. This grade reflects exceptional levels of preparation, mastery of course materials, and very high quality contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions. You should be able to engage with your peers very effectively.

To achieve a grade of 6 (Distinction, 75-84) your attendance will be excellent and your participation very substantial. This grade reflects excellent levels of preparation, knowledge of course materials, and high quality contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions. You should be able to engage with your peers effectively.

To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65 – 74%), your attendance and participation will be good. This grade reflects proficient levels of preparation, good knowledge of course materials, and good quality contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50 – 64%) your attendance and participation will be satisfactory. This grade reflects adequate levels of preparation and knowledge of course materials, and an acceptable quality of contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45 – 49%) your attendance and participation will be unsatisfactory. This grade reflects irregular attendance and/or participation and superficial knowledge of course materials and basic levels of preparation. However, when in attendance, there is evidence of your ability to demonstrate developing achievement in contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%), your attendance and participation will be very unsatisfactory. This grade reflects irregular attendance and/or participation, minimal knowledge of course materials, little evidence of preparation, and mixed to low quality of contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%), your attendance and participation will be unsatisfactory. This grade reflects irregular attendance and/or participation, an no evidence of preparation, and little or no evidence of quality of contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

13. Exam Assessment Criteria (Including take-home exams)

Your exam responses will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Multiple–Choice/One-Word Answer Questions

Students will be assessed on:

1.             Ability to recall terminology and factual knowledge.

2.             Ability to recognise the correct contexts for the application of factual knowledge.

Short Answer Questions

Students will be assessed on:

1.             Ability to produce a succinct response to a directed question.

2.             Knowledge of key themes or ideas.

3.             Ability to employ relevant terminology, as required.

4.             Clear and concise written expression, well presented.

Gobbets/Textual/Object Analyses

Students will be assessed on:

1.             Ability to identify author and/or creator of the item.

2.             Ability to explain the context of the item.

3.             Ability to identify the key components, themes or features that allow critical appreciation.

4.             Ability to explain the significance of the item.

5.             Clear and concise written expression, well presented.

Essay Questions

Students will be assessed on:

1.             Ability to recognize key issues in the question.

2.             Ability to structure an argument.

3.             Use of evidence.

4.             Engagement with academic scholarship and/or debates.

5.             Clear and concise written expression, well presented.

Unlike formative assessments undertaken during your course (such as book reviews and essays), exam answers are typically marked on right or wrong basis for multiple choice, single word and short answer questions. Individual exam essays and other exam questions are not awarded grades, but are assessed numerically (such as a mark out of five, or a mark out of ten). The overall grade achieved for an exam is arrived at by totalling the marks for the constituent elements of the exam.

Take-Home Exams (essay form)

Students will be assessed according to the following criteria:

1.             Ability to construct a well-reasoned argument.

2.             Evidence of understanding of central issues.

3.             Ability to form a well-structured essay.

4.             Engagement with academic sources and evidence, as required.

5.             Insight and/or creativity in interpreting texts or constructing a point of view or argument.

6.             Capacity to produce a coherent and well-written essay using correct grammar and syntax; appropriately referenced if required.

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), your take-home exam essay should demonstrate an exceptional level of rigour in argumentation and understanding of issues, exceptional organization of material, extensive research, and insightful and creative discussion. The written expression and presentation should be excellent and follow discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of  6 (Distinction, 75-84%), your take-home exam essay should demonstrate an advanced level of rigour in argumentation and understanding of issues, very good organisation of material, wide research, and a capable synthesis of research materials. The written expression and presentation should be very good and follow discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65 – 74%),  your take-home exam essay should demonstrate a proficient level of rigour in argumentation and understanding of issues, good organization of material, a good level of research, and synthesis of research materials. The written expression and presentation should be good and largely follow discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50 – 64%), your take-home exam essay should demonstrate a basic level argumentation, a fundamental understanding of issues, adequate organisation of material, a basic level of research, and an adequate synthesis of research materials. Your written expression and presentation should be satisfactory and follow discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45 – 49%), your take-home exam essay will demonstrate that your attempt, while underdeveloped and falling short of a pass, shows your emerging ability to apply basic knowledge and skills. Your argumentation and understanding of issues will be superficial, your material poorly organised and synthesis of research materials limited. Your written expression and presentation should be adequate and should attempt to follow discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%), your take-home exam essay will demonstrate that your argumentation and understanding of issues was deficient, that your research was limited and/or poorly organised and explained, and that you did not understand fundamental aspects of the course. Your writing will be poor and/or inappropriate, and will not follow discipline conventions.

To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%), your take-home exam essay will demonstrate that you have failed to meet the minimum learning requirements and skill acquisition for this assessment task. You will not have mounted sound arguments and/or understood relevant issues. Your research will be limited and inadequately explained. Your essay will be poorly organised and/or poorly written, and will not follow discipline conventions.

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Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

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• Failure to submit all major assessment items (those worth 15% and above) will result in a maximum grade of 2 (Fail).
• By submitting work through Turnitin you are deemed to have accepted the following declaration: ‘I certify that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted, either previously or concurrently, in whole or in part, to this University or any other educational institution, for marking or assessment’.
• All students must ensure that they receive their Turnitin receipt on every submission of assessment items. YOU MUST CHECK THAT THE RECEIPT CONFIRMS THAT SUBMISSION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
• A valid Turnitin receipt will be the only evidence accepted if assessments are missing.

Without evidence, the assessment will receive the standard late penalty, or after ten calendar days, will receive zero.

In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible so that they can confirm the outage with ITS.

• It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they are submitting assessment items on a device that is capable of the task, and that appropriate internet bandwidth and speed is available.

If you cannot be sure that your device or internet will enable you to complete or submit an assessment task, you must come onto campus and use one of the University Computers in the Library or Computer Labs.

• Plagiarism, and asking or paying someone else to do your work is cheating and constitutes academic misconduct. See ECP Section 6.1
• Feedback against the assessment criteria in the form of comments on your script will be provided through Turnitin or on your script directly.
• For information on assessment remarks see: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/querying-result

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Own copy required

You'll need to have your own copy of the following reading resources. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.