UNIVERSITY OF KENT
MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
SECTION 1: MODULE SPECIFICATIONS
1.
Title of the module
The City of Athens
2.
School which will be responsible for management of the module
SECL, Classics
3.
Start date of the module
January 2014. This term only
4.
The number of students expected to take the module
35
5.
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and
consultation with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
None
6.
Level of the module (e.g. Certificate [C], Intermediate [I], Honours [H] or
Postgraduate [M])
I
7.
The number of credits and ECTS value which the module represents
30 (15 ECTS)
8.
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)
Spring 2014
9.
Prerequisite and co-requisite modules
None
10. The programme(s) of study to which the module contributes
Optional module relevant to Classics and Archaeological Studies, Ancient History, and
History and Archaeological Studies
11. The intended subject specific learning outcomes
SSLO1 demonstrate an understanding of the history of the city of Athens from the
Bronze Age to the Roman Period in terms of its history, politics, art and architecture (c.
1200 to 146BC). ii) to show a knowledge of how Athens compared to other Greek City
States
SSLO2 i) to be able to make critical textual, epigraphical, archaeological and arthistorical interpretations of remains
SSLO3 To demonstrate the importance of using a variety of source materials, such as
historical treatises, ancient literature and art both in oral and written form,
SSLO4 to demonstrate a knowledge of the various themes covered in the class: politics,
war; philosophy, and art
These learning outcomes follow the level descriptors for I level study.
12. The intended generic learning outcomes
GLO1 they have improved their ability to use library and web-based sources
GLO2 effectively communicate both orally and in writing
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
GLO3 develop critical skills
GLO4 develop their ability to work independently and in groups
These learning outcomes follow the level descriptors for I level study.
13. A synopsis of the curriculum
The city-state (polis) has traditionally defined the characteristic form of community life for
the ancient Greeks. The Greeks so valued the autonomy and freedom implicit within this
term that its preservation often led to war, the most devastating being the Peloponnesian
War in the last decades of the fifth century B.C. This course will require a close reading
of Thucydides’ famous account of this war. Paradoxically, these same Greeks shared a
panhellenic bond that served to unify them through language, art and architecture,
literature, religion, and athletics. To complicate matters further, there is a tendency today
to imagine Athens as a paradigm for hundreds of other city-states. By tracing the history
and culture of Athens from the Mycenaean period to the Roman, focusing particularly on
the best documented classical and hellenistic periods, this course will demonstrate how
truly atypical Athens was and how diverse the Greek city-states were in their histories
and institutions. Athens is particularly rich in material culture, as exemplified by the
excavations on the Acropolis and in the Agora, and in ancient texts. For example, the
Constitution of the Athenians, attributed to Aristotle and our only surviving history of an
ancient city-state, provides both a constitutional history of Athens and a detailed
description of its democratic institutions in the 4th century B.C. Archaeology gives it form
and substance. This course will challenge the students to become fully conversant with
the primary sources of classical and hellenistic Athens, including historical, literary,
philosophical, archaeological, epigraphical, artistic, architectural, and to learn that Athens
cannot be reconstructed without crossing disciplines.
14. Indicative Reading List
Osborne, R. Greece in the Making 1200-479 BC, 2nd ed.
Rhodes, P.J. A History of the Classical Greek World 478-323 BC. 2nd ed.
Thucydides. The Peloponnesian War, trans. Rex Warner
Aristophanes, Lysistrata and Other Plays, trans. A.H. Sommerstein
Aristotle. The Athenian Constitution. Trans. P.J. Rhodes. Penguin Classics, 1984
Wycherley, R.E. The Stones of Athens. Princeton, 1978
15. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact
hours and the total study hours which will be expected of students, and how these
relate to achievement of the intended learning outcomes
There will be 3 hours of teaching per week in lectures and seminars (3x11 weeks = 33
hours). Students will be expected to prepare for seminars by reading and discussion with
their peers and to study independently towards their assessment, both the coursework
essay and the in-class assignment (267 hours)
The teaching maps onto the learning outcomes as follows:
Lectures
SSLO1, SSLO3, SSL04
Seminars
SSLO1, SSLO2, SSLO3, GLO2, GLO3, GLO4
Independent study
GLO1, GLO2, GLO3, GLO4
16. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended
learning outcomes
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
i) One essay of 2,500 words (40%) testing SSLO1, SSLO2, SSLO3, GLO1, GLO2,
GLO3, GLO4
ii) In class assignment (45 minutes) (SSL01; SSLO2, SSLO4) (10%)
iii) Seminar contribution (SSLO1, SSLO2, SSLO3, GLO2, GLO3, GLO4) (10%)
Two hour exam (40%) (SSLO1; SSLO2; SSLO3; SSLO4; GLO4)
17. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
None
18. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability equality
legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special educational need
in its teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable adjustments wherever
necessary, including additional or substitute materials, teaching modes or assessment
methods for students who have declared and discussed their learning support needs.
Arrangements for students with declared disabilities will be made on an individual basis,
in consultation with the University’s disability/dyslexia support service, and specialist
support will be provided where needed.
19. Campus(es) where module will be delivered 1
Canterbury
SECTION 2: MODULE IS PART OF A PROGRAMME OF STUDY IN A UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL
Statement by the School Director of Learning and Teaching/School Director of
Graduate Studies (as appropriate): "I confirm I have been consulted on the above module
proposal and have given advice on the correct procedures and required content of module
proposals"
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Director of Learning and Teaching/Director of Graduate
Studies (delete as applicable)
Date
…………………………………………………
Print Name
Statement by the Head of School: "I confirm that the School has approved the introduction
of the module and, where the module is proposed by School staff, will be responsible for its
resourcing"
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Head of School
Date
…………………………………………………….
1
Required for information purposes only. Changes of campus will not require re-approval of the
module specification.
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Print Name
SECTION 3: MODULE IS PART OF A PROGRAMME IN A PARTNER COLLEGE OR
VALIDATED INSTITUTION
(Where the module is proposed by a Partner College/Validated Institution)
Statement by the Nominated Officer of the College/Validated Institution (delete as
applicable): "I confirm that the College/Validated Institution (delete as applicable) has
approved the introduction of the module and will be responsible for its resourcing"
.................................................................
Nominated Responsible Officer
College/Validated Institution
of
..............................................
Partner
………………………………………………….
Print Name
…………………………………………………..
Post
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Partner College/Validated Institution
Module Specification Template
Last updated November 2011
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