WK1 Summary

(I was not here for this….)

Introduction

• Presentation by Sam and Victoria from the Classics in Ancient History Society

  • Purpose: To inform about events and membership opportunities in the society

  • Activities include academic and social events

Events Organized by the Society

• Master Classes

  • Topics: Essay writing and exam preparation

• Welcome Picnic

  • Date: Upcoming Friday

• Classics and Coffee

  • Informal gatherings for discussions and socializing

• Mentorship Program

  • Connects students with mentors from upper years for guidance on studying ancient history

ANCH 1240: Course Overview

• Course Introduction

  • Subject: The Rise of Greek History to the Fourth Century BC

  • Instructor: David Pritchard, Course Coordinator

  • Focus on 900 years of ancient Greek history

  • Starting from the collapse of Mycenaean palaces (around 1200 BC)

Course Content

• Study of:

  • Greek city-states in Archaic and Classical periods

  • Major wars: Greek alliances, wars against Persia

  • Impact of different political systems on warfare (democracy in Athens, oligarchy in Sparta, autocracy in Persia)

• Cultural Aspects

  • Social life of classical Greeks

  • Role of free women in Athens and Sparta

  • Literary genres and artistic achievements

Course Outcomes

• Develop knowledge of ancient Greece and its history

• Place historical facts in context, enhancing critical thinking

• Understand the reception of ancient Greek culture in modern times

• Gain core skills in historical analysis and writing

Learning through Examples

Vivid Example 1: Birth of the First Athenian

• Myth of Erythonius, illustrating the intertwining of myth and history

• Significance: Reflects Athenian identity and origins

Vivid Example 2: The Rise and Fall of Athens

• Contrast between Athenian power pre- and post-Peloponnesian War (431 BC)

• Statistics and impacts:

  • Fall from 60,000 adult citizens to 23,000 post-war

  • Loss of Athenian naval fleet

Vivid Example 3: Spartan Women's Rights

• Differences in lifestyle and rights between Spartan and Athenian women

• Criticism of Spartan women by Athenian playwrights

Vivid Example 4: The Death of Pentheus

• Reflection on Dionysian worship and its darker aspects

• The consequences of ignoring divine boundaries

Vivid Example 5: Fourth Century Greece

• Critique of the traditional decline narrative post-Peloponnesian War

• Economic and political recovery of Athens in the fourth century

• Examination of Macedonian ascendancy under Philip II and Alexander the Great

Course Structure and Assessments

• Course Format: Two-hour lectures followed by tutorials

• Assessment Tasks:

  • Two tutorial papers (1,000 words each), chosen from different halves of the course

  • Tutorial participation (10% of overall grade)

  • Examinations (50% of overall grade)

Tutorials

• Focus on providing contextual learning for each lecture

• Mandatory for course success and engagement

Academic Integrity

• Strict policies on plagiarism: essential to produce independent work

• Prohibitions against using AI tools for writing assignments

• Emphasis on proper citation and referencing

Textbooks and Resources

• Texts include works from Herodotus, Thucydides

• E-resources available in the course library folder

• Recommended readings tailored to lecture topics

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

• Encouragement to engage in discussions and utilize office hours for support

• Direct invitations to participate and ask questions during lectures and tutorials