Unit information: Approaches to Greek History in 2025/26

Unit name	Approaches to Greek History
Unit code	CLAS20039
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Edwin Shaw
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one	None
School/department	Department of Classics & Ancient History
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

This unit will simultaneously introduce students to the study of a specific named period of Greek History (Archaic Greece or Classical Athens) and will introduce them to some of the main theoretical approaches for understanding that period. Examples of theoretical approaches that could be covered include: anthropology; archaeological theory; economic models; gift exchange; gender; kinship; political realism. The unit will be taught with either the period Archaic Greece or the period Classical Athens.

Your learning on this unit

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate detailed knowledge of a specific period of Greek history;
2. identify and use a range of ancient sources to help them understand that period;
3. recognise a range of theoretical approaches for understanding different aspects of the period in question;
4. explain, apply, and critically evaluate these theoretical approaches in order to enhance their understanding of the period;
5. demonstrate skills of academic writing at a level appropriate to level I/5.

How you will learn

This unit will involve a combination of independent investigative activities, long- and short-form lectures, and discussion. Students will be expected to engage with materials and participate on a weekly basis. Feedback will be provided for both formative and summative assessments, and this will be supported by meetings with tutors.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

500 word annotated bibliography (10%). [ILOs 1-3].

2,500 word essay (90%). [ILOs 1-5].

When assessment does not go to plan

When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the year.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CLAS20039).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.