Students

AHIS349 – Ancient History Special Topic B

2016 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Paul McKechnie
Naguib Kanawati
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp including (6cp in AHIS units at 200 level)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit allows for advanced study on special ancient history topics, including advanced Greek history or archaeological training. Session 1: The topic will focus on Greek Tyrants - seventh to third centuries BC. Sole rulers of Greek states from Cypselus of Corinth to Philopoemen of Megalopolis, ‘the last of the ancient Greeks’, are the focus of this unit, which follows the phenomenon of tyranny from the archaic age down to the days of the Hellenistic kings.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

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

  • Employ appropriate text-based and artefact-based techniques to solve historical problems relating to ancient Greek tyranny, and interpret the results.
  • Plan and present written arguments about ancient Greek tyranny in coherent and documented form.
  • Evaluate information, ideas and arguments about ancient Greek tyranny, including those of diverse cultural assumptions.
  • Apply and adapt knowledge about ancient Greek tyranny to today’s world.

General Assessment Information

Follow the Ancient History essay style guide.

Hand in essays via turnitin.

If you want to do the exam anywhere else other than at Macquarie University on the day set, you must make your own arrangements for this with the agreement of the exams section, well in advance, and at your own cost.

Assessment tasks are compulsory and must be submitted on time. Extensions may be requested from the unit convener before the assignment is due (and not after).  Up to a week will be allowed; if a longer time is needed, a professional authority form should accompany the request, saying how many days the student has been unable to work. Late submissions may be penalised by 2% for each day (including weekends) the assignment task is late. Coursework handed in early will not be returned before the due date.

For Disruption to Studies Policy see under Policies and Procedures.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Minor essay 20% Week 2
Major essay 40% Week 10
End of semester exam 40% Set by examinations section

Minor essay

Due: Week 2
Weighting: 20%

Minor essay, maximum 1000 words including footnotes but not including bibliography.

Option 1

How did the tyranny of Cypselus and (later) Periander differ from the way Corinth was governed in the days of the Corinthian monarchy and of the Bacchiad presidency?

Option 2

Consider Orthagoras and the Sicyonian tyranny, and also Theagenes and the Megarian tyranny. Are they evidence of a political movement originating in Corinth,


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Employ appropriate text-based and artefact-based techniques to solve historical problems relating to ancient Greek tyranny, and interpret the results.
  • Plan and present written arguments about ancient Greek tyranny in coherent and documented form.
  • Evaluate information, ideas and arguments about ancient Greek tyranny, including those of diverse cultural assumptions.

Major essay

Due: Week 10
Weighting: 40%

Major essay, maximum 2000 words including footnotes but not including bibliography.

Option 1

‘Pisistratus … occupied a clear cultural niche at Rome by exemplifying the “good” tyrant’ (Christopher B. Polt). Trace the origins of this idea; does it have something to commend it?

Option 2

When Dion took over from Dionysius II, had the Syracusans ‘merely exchanged a stupid and drunken tyrant for a watchful and sober master’ (cf. Plutarch Dion 34.2)? Or was Dion actually the nearest thing the Greek world ever had to a philosopher-king?

Option 3

Compare and contrast one of these Greek tyrants with one of these twentieth-century tyrants. Are the parallels and differences informative?

Greek tyrants:  Periander, Polycrates, Dionysius I

Twentieth-century tyrants:  Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Enver Hoxha


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Employ appropriate text-based and artefact-based techniques to solve historical problems relating to ancient Greek tyranny, and interpret the results.
  • Plan and present written arguments about ancient Greek tyranny in coherent and documented form.
  • Evaluate information, ideas and arguments about ancient Greek tyranny, including those of diverse cultural assumptions.
  • Apply and adapt knowledge about ancient Greek tyranny to today’s world.

End of semester exam

Due: Set by examinations section
Weighting: 40%

Two-hour invigilated exam.

In Section A, segments will be set from each of ten source documents.  Student will be asked to comment on points of historical interest in one or two of these segments.  Half the marks for the exam (20% of the marks for the unit as a whole) will be available for work done in this Section.

In Section B, four questions will be set for essay-style answers without footnoting.  Students will be asked to attempt one or two of these questions. Half the marks for the exam (20% of the marks for the unit as a whole) will be available for work done in this Section.

Late in the course of lectures, the unit convener will give some broad guidance as to what to prepare for this exam.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Plan and present written arguments about ancient Greek tyranny in coherent and documented form.
  • Evaluate information, ideas and arguments about ancient Greek tyranny, including those of diverse cultural assumptions.

Delivery and Resources

Please use the iLearn page, Echo360, and the unit readings to full advantage.

Lecture attendance is recommended.

Unit Schedule

 

 

Lectures

 

Texts

Week 1

 

1

Heroes, founders, kings

 

2

Cypselus

Document 1: Herodotus on Cypselus (Hdt. 5.92)

Week 2

 

3

Periander

Document 2:  Herodotus on Periander (Hdt. 5.92)

4

The Peloponnesian tyrants

 

Week 3

 

5

The Peloponnesian tyrants (2)

 

6

The Peloponnesian tyrants (3)

 

Week 4

 

7

Polycrates:  the luckiest man in the world (1)

Document 3: Herodotus on Polycrates (Hdt. 3.39-43, 60, 122-6)

8

Polycrates:  the luckiest man in the world (2)

 

Week 5

 

9

Pisistratus (1)

Document 4:  Aristotle on Pisistratus (Aristotle Constitution of the Athenians 13-17)

10

Pisistratus (2)

 

Week 6

 

11

The Pisistratids

 

12

Hippias’ last stand

Document 5: Herodotus on Hippias and the Pisistratids.

Week 7

 

13

Fifth-century Athens and tyrants

 

14

Introduction to Greek Sicily

 

Week 8

 

15

Dionysius I (1)

Document 6:  Diodorus Siculus on Dionysius I of Sicily

16

Dionysius I (2)

 

Week 9

 

17

Dionysius II and Dion

Document 7 [Plato] on Dionysius II of Syracuse

18

Dionysius II and Plato

 

Week 10

 

19

Timoleon and the revival of Greek Sicily

Document 8 Plutarch on Timoleon

20

Agathocles

 

Week 11

 

21

Sicyon and Achaea (1)

 

22

Sicyon and Achaea (2)

Document 9:  Plutarch on Cleomenes

Week 12

 

23

Sicyon and Achaea (3)

 

24

Sparta in the third century (1)

 

Week 13

25

Sparta in the third century (2)

Document 10:  Polybius on the Achaean League and Cleomenes

26

Sparta in the third century (3)

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Employ appropriate text-based and artefact-based techniques to solve historical problems relating to ancient Greek tyranny, and interpret the results.
  • Plan and present written arguments about ancient Greek tyranny in coherent and documented form.
  • Evaluate information, ideas and arguments about ancient Greek tyranny, including those of diverse cultural assumptions.
  • Apply and adapt knowledge about ancient Greek tyranny to today’s world.

Assessment tasks

  • Minor essay
  • Major essay
  • End of semester exam

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Employ appropriate text-based and artefact-based techniques to solve historical problems relating to ancient Greek tyranny, and interpret the results.
  • Plan and present written arguments about ancient Greek tyranny in coherent and documented form.
  • Evaluate information, ideas and arguments about ancient Greek tyranny, including those of diverse cultural assumptions.
  • Apply and adapt knowledge about ancient Greek tyranny to today’s world.

Assessment tasks

  • Minor essay
  • Major essay
  • End of semester exam

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Plan and present written arguments about ancient Greek tyranny in coherent and documented form.
  • Apply and adapt knowledge about ancient Greek tyranny to today’s world.

Assessment tasks

  • Minor essay
  • Major essay

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Employ appropriate text-based and artefact-based techniques to solve historical problems relating to ancient Greek tyranny, and interpret the results.
  • Plan and present written arguments about ancient Greek tyranny in coherent and documented form.
  • Evaluate information, ideas and arguments about ancient Greek tyranny, including those of diverse cultural assumptions.
  • Apply and adapt knowledge about ancient Greek tyranny to today’s world.

Assessment tasks

  • Minor essay
  • Major essay
  • End of semester exam

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Employ appropriate text-based and artefact-based techniques to solve historical problems relating to ancient Greek tyranny, and interpret the results.
  • Plan and present written arguments about ancient Greek tyranny in coherent and documented form.
  • Evaluate information, ideas and arguments about ancient Greek tyranny, including those of diverse cultural assumptions.
  • Apply and adapt knowledge about ancient Greek tyranny to today’s world.

Assessment tasks

  • Minor essay
  • Major essay
  • End of semester exam

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Employ appropriate text-based and artefact-based techniques to solve historical problems relating to ancient Greek tyranny, and interpret the results.
  • Plan and present written arguments about ancient Greek tyranny in coherent and documented form.
  • Evaluate information, ideas and arguments about ancient Greek tyranny, including those of diverse cultural assumptions.
  • Apply and adapt knowledge about ancient Greek tyranny to today’s world.

Assessment tasks

  • Minor essay
  • Major essay
  • End of semester exam

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Plan and present written arguments about ancient Greek tyranny in coherent and documented form.
  • Evaluate information, ideas and arguments about ancient Greek tyranny, including those of diverse cultural assumptions.
  • Apply and adapt knowledge about ancient Greek tyranny to today’s world.

Assessment tasks

  • Minor essay
  • Major essay
  • End of semester exam

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Plan and present written arguments about ancient Greek tyranny in coherent and documented form.
  • Evaluate information, ideas and arguments about ancient Greek tyranny, including those of diverse cultural assumptions.
  • Apply and adapt knowledge about ancient Greek tyranny to today’s world.

Assessment task

  • End of semester exam

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Plan and present written arguments about ancient Greek tyranny in coherent and documented form.
  • Evaluate information, ideas and arguments about ancient Greek tyranny, including those of diverse cultural assumptions.
  • Apply and adapt knowledge about ancient Greek tyranny to today’s world.

Assessment task

  • End of semester exam

Changes from Previous Offering

This unit is being offered for the first time in 2016.  If it goes well it may be offered again.