Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information
for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Citizenship and The Greek Polis |
| Unit code |
CLAS32333 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Fowler |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department |
Department of Classics & Ancient History |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit, which is designed for students of both historical and literary interests, explores the nature of citizenship in 5th- and 4th-century Athens and relates it to the ongoing debate about citizenship in modern Western societies. Reading a range of texts in translation, we will discuss issues such as the concept of responsible citizenship in ancient and modern society, the connection between citizenship and identity, the function of reputation and appearances in determining citizenship status, and the role played by women in the construction of the male citizen ideal. We will consider how these issues inform and affect great works of ancient literature, and how these works in turn comment on and challenge the ideologies of their contemporary society.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students should:
- developed a good knowledge of citizenship in 5th and 4th century Athens and a sophisticated understanding of the theoretical issues involved in studying citizenship in both the ancient and the modern context
- developed their skill in reading and analysing a range of texts related to citizenship in the Greek world
- developed and refined their skills in constructing coherent, relevant and sophisticated critical arguments, and in relating their readings of texts and images to wider theoretical issues
- developed skills in oral and written communication appropriate to level H by contributing to discussion in seminars and producing an essay and a written examination.
Assessment Information
One summative coursework essay of 3000 words (50%) and one unseen examination of 90 minutes (50%). Both elements will assess ILOs (1) (2) (3). The coursework essay in particular will offer students the opportunity to demonstrate ILOs (4).
Reading and References
Core Texts
- Aeschines, Against Timarchos, ed. N. Fisher (Oxford 2001)
- Aeschylus, Oresteia, trans. C. Collard (Oxford: Oxford World's Classics, 2003)
- Aristophanes, Lysistrata and Other Plays, trans. A. Sommerstein, rev. edn. (London: Penguin 2002)**
- Aristotle, The Politics, trans. T.A. Sinclair, rev. edn by T.J. Saunders (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1981)
- Plato, The Defence of Socrates, Euthyphro, Crito, trans. D. Gallop (Oxford: Oxford World's Classics 2008)**
- Sophocles, Theban Plays, trans. P. Meineck and P. Woodruff (Indianapolis: Hackett, 2003)
These are all on 3-hour loan in the Short-term Loan Collection. Those marked ** (Aristophanes and Plato) are recommended for purchase. Others may be purchased if desired but necessary extracts of these and other texts will be available on Blackboard.
Essential Reading
- Boegehold, A.L. and Scafuro, A.C. Athenian Identity and Civic Ideology (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1994)
- Hoffman, J., Graham, P., Introduction to Political Theory (2nd edn, Harlow 2009) (Library has e-copy). Chapter 6 is especially relevant.
- Loraux, N., The Children of Athena: Athenian ideas about citizenship and the division between the sexes (Princeton: Princeton University Press 1993)
- Ober, J., Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens (Princeton: Princeton University Press 1989)
These books are on 24-hour loan in the SLC.
