| Unit name | Citizenship and the Greek Polis |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CLASM0045 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Emeritus Professor. Fowler |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Classics & Ancient History |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
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.
On successful completion of this unit students will have (1) developed a sophisticated knowledge and critical understanding of the differing ways in which citizenship has been variously configured in a range of ancient texts; (2) in-depth and critical understanding of the uses to which these configurations have been put by different authors and in different genres; (3) sophisticated, detailed and critical understanding of the historical, literary, political and ideological contexts of these texts; (4) demonstrated the ability to identify and evaluate pertinent evidence in order to illustrate/demonstrate a cogent argument. Additionally, as part of a level M/7 unit, students will be expected to (5) display advanced level skills in evaluating, analysing, synthesising and (where apt) critiquing both primary and secondary material and ideas.
10 x 2 hour weekly seminars
Summative assessment: 1 essay of 4,000 words (100%) assessing advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the development of the differing ways in which citizenship has been configured in various ancient texts, authors and genres. The extended form of this supervised yet independent research project/essay provides the opportunity to assess the depth and detail of students’ understanding and attainment of ILOs (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) at level M/7.
Note: Whereas Level H students in the same class will be assessed by 3000 word essay (responding to questions set by the unit tutor) and 90 minute exam, in addition to the 4000 word summative essay described above, MA students will be required to formulate and develop their own short research topic relating to the theme of Citizenship, give a short (15 minute) presentation on this, and to research an appropriate 'bibliography of primary and secondary authorities'(comprising 15-20 items). One-to-one written feedback on the presentation; comments on plans and draft bibliographies for the summative essay will be provided.
Kymlicka, W. Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction, Oxford University Press 2002. Aristotle Politics, translated by T.A. Sinclair, revised and re-presented by T.J. Saunders, Penguin edition 1981. Aeschylus Oresteia translated by Christopher Collard, Oxford World's Classics, 2003. Sophocles Theban Plays, translated by Meineck and Woodruff, Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. 2003. Plato The Defence of Socrates, Eutyphro, Crito translated by David Gallop, Oxford World's Classics 1999. Aristophanes Lysistrata and Other Plays, translated by A. Sommerstein, Penguin edition 1973.
