This module is concerned with the Hellenistic period, which saw an expansion of the Greek world into the Near East and, as a result, the profound political and cultural transformation of the whole of the Eastern Mediterranean. The Hellenistic world played a crucial role not just in the transmission of classical Greek civilisation but also in the shaping of the Roman Empire and its culture, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean. For these reasons, it is a key period in the development of Greek, Roman and later European civilisations. The module intends to provide a general survey of the political, social, economic and cultural history of the Eastern Mediterranean in the period between 336 and 30 BC, following on from the classical Greek and in part dovetailing with and in part preparing the ground for the Roman historical modules. The module will be taught from a range of sources, historical, literary, papyrological, epigraphic and archaeological. Particular attention will be paid to the interaction between the incoming Graeco-Macedonian and indigenous local populations and the formation of new states and cultures.
Total Contact Hours: 20
Private Study Hours: 130
Total Study Hours: 150
Main assessment methods
Essay 1 (1,500 words) – 40%
Essay 2 (1,500 words) – 40%
Presentation (15 minutes) – 20%
Reassessment methods
100% Coursework
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages: https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module Level 5 students will be able to:
1 Articulate responses to key questions about the nature and value of the historical evidence for Hellenistic history;
2 Demonstrate understanding of the importance and implications of Hellenistic political, social, economic and cultural history;
3 Comprehend the nature and extent of interaction between the incoming Graeco-Macedonians and the indigenous Near Eastern populations (e.g. in politics, society, the economy, religion and in cultural life);
4 Demonstrate critical, specific and in-depth analyses of these issues;
5 Engage reflectively with other people's analyses and interpretations of primary and secondary sources relating to the Hellenistic period.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module Level 5 students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate confident skills in critical analysis and argument both through their reading and through listening to others;
2. Demonstrate their ability to make complex ideas clearly understandable in their writing;
3. Demonstrate the ability to work autonomously and to take responsibility for their learning.
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