HIS103: Introduction to Ancient Greece
Key details
| Accredited towards | Bachelor of Arts in the Liberal Arts Diploma of Liberal Arts |
| Unit type | Core unit |
| Credit points | 6 |
| Indicative contact hours | 3 hours per week |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Offered in | Semester 1 |
| Tuition fee | Learn more |
Overview
This unit introduces students to the study of historical and political thought in the ancient Greek world. Centred on the writings of seminal ancient Greek historians, the unit examines major events in the formation of Greek cultural identity, including the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian Wars, and the spread of Hellenism through Alexander’s conquests. The ongoing debate about the development, meaning and purpose of historical writing, present in the contrasting approaches of Herodotus and Thucydides, is explored. Primary works studied may include selections from Herodotus’ Histories, Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian Wars, and Plutarch’s Life of Alexander the Great.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit of study, students will be able to:
- Describe and evaluate the Greek roots of Western Civilisation
- Analyse the interaction between ancient Greece and other ancient cultures
- Align knowledge of the works studied to contemporary issues
- Develop an evidence-based argument about the significance of, and differences between, the perspectives of the authors studied
- Summarise and communicate historical and historiographical concepts in a logical and coherent manner
- Participate in group work and tutorial events by undertaking required readings and contributing with clarity and coherence
Interested in other History units?