GRC40310 Greek Political Thought

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module examines questions as pressing today as they were for people millennia ago - how should communities be organised and governed, by whom, and why? You will examine the variety of answers offered to the ‘problem of ruling’ and the ideas underpinning the rule of 'one' (monarchy/tyranny), the rule of the 'few' (aristocracy/oligarchy), the rule of the 'many' (democracy/'mob' rule) or even the absence of a ruler (anarchic). To do so we will explore a range of different kinds of ancient political writing, including works of poetry, drama, philosophy, history, oratory, and inscriptions. We will reflect on the legacy of such texts and debate whether any of these solutions actually might be deemed a ‘utopia’. Particular focus is paid to studying works in their original context. All texts will be read in translation and students are welcome to explore the impact that such ideas and their reception have had on shaping modern political debates and rhetoric.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge
• Students will gain an understanding of the development of ancient political thinking, its systemisation and theorisation.
• Students will gain an understanding of, and an ability to analyse the main ‘political’ themes that concerned ancient authors.
• Students will gain an understanding of the political nature of ancient writing and how these ideas, sometimes unknowingly, continue to shape the language of modern political rhetoric and discourse.

Discipline-specific skills
• Students will be able to analyse political ideas expressed through a variety of texts.
• Students will gain an understanding of key political concerns in the ancient world and how these differ from modern debates.
• Students will gain a critical understanding of how the past is used, and sometimes abused, in order to legitimise modern decisions.

Indicative Module Content:

Authors studied may vary from year to year. They may include, but are not limited to:
• Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Polybius, and Plutarch
• Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes
• Plato, Aristotle, and ps. Xenophon 'The Old Oligarch'
• Select Lyric poets

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

22
Specified Learning Activities

78
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will be delivered through weekly seminars. Where appropriate short lectures may be provided for context on key authors or concepts. Time will be set aside in class for student presentations. Students are expected to read set passages/sections from key ancient works ahead of class and will be directed to relevant modern scholarship to complement this reading. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: 1200 word commentary on a set passage Week 7 n/a Graded No

15
Essay: For this module you must write EITHER one 5000 word essay (60%) OR two 2500 word essays (30% + 30%). Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

60
Presentation: You may either make a 10 minute presentation in person in class or record a 10 minute presentation (audio over PowerPoint). Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

25

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive written feedback on each assignment within 20 working days. Feedback will be delivered through Brightspace. Students are encouraged to discuss their feedback with the module coordinator during office hours.