CLAS 2037 - Athenian Democracy: Reacting to the Past
Career: | Undergraduate |
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Units: | 3 |
Term: | 4120 |
Campus: | North Terrace |
Contact: | Up to 3 hours per week |
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange: | No |
Available for Non-Award Study: | Yes |
Pre-Requisite: | At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study |
Assumed Knowledge: | Broad knowledge of the ancient world of Greece & Rome, including basic historical understanding (eg Classical Studies in SACE or introductory CLAS or HIST courses). Without any foundations, pre-reading in consultation with the lecturer may be required. |
Assessment: | Essay (1500 words) 30%, Seminar participation 10%, Presentation (800 words) 10%, Group assessment 10%, Exam 40% |
Syllabus: |
Have you ever wondered where democracy originated and how it operated? This course offers an innovative, immersive approach by re-enacting Athenian democratic practice, ultimately the basis for all western democracies. The first half of the course recreates the intellectual dynamics of a formative period in western political history, when Greece went through a crisis at the end of the fifth century BCE. By using a format of role play it offers an educational experience of the democratic process of Athens. This method brings the discussions about the value of democracy to life on the basis of literary sources (e.g. Herodotus, Plato, Thucydides, Xenophon). The second half of the course returns to academic analysis, exploring the fundamental questions regarding the value of democratic rule in seminars. The story begins in 403 BCE, when, after thirty years of war, Sparta crushed the democratic rule, destroyed the city's great walls and warships, occupied the city, and installed a ruthless regime, 'the Thirty Tyrants'. You will debate the doubts about democracy raised in the post-war period by the Greeks, expressed most ingeniously by Socrates and his young supporters: can Athens retain a political system where all decisions are made by an Assembly of 6,000 or so citizens? Will leaders continue to be chosen by random lottery? Will citizenship be broadened to include slaves who fought for the democracy and foreign-born inhabitants who paid taxes in its support? You will take on the roles of radical and moderate democrats, oligarchs, and Socratics to debate these issues. You will learn about the origin and ordeals of Greek democracy and its importance for later ages. |
Course Fees
Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here
Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.
The fees displayed below for international students are for students commencing a program in 2024 only. International students who commenced a program in 2023 or prior can find their fee here.
EFTSL | |||
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0.125 |
Course Outline
A Course Outline which includes Learning Outcomes, Learning Resources, Learning & Teaching for this course may be accessed here
Critical Dates
Term | Last Day to Add Online | Census Date | Last Day to WNF | Last Day to WF |
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4120 | Mon 09/08/2021 | Wed 18/08/2021 | Fri 17/09/2021 | Fri 29/10/2021 |
Class Details
Enrolment Class: Lecture | |||||||
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Class Nbr | Section | Size | Available | Dates | Days | Time | Location |
28597 | LEC0 | 60 | 42 | This class does not have any timetabled face-to-face sessions. Please check MyUni or contact your Course Coordinator for details. | Note: This lecture is pre-recorded and can be viewed any time after publication in MyUni. Please refer to MyUni for details once enrolled. | ||
Related Class: Seminar | |||||||
Class Nbr | Section | Size | Available | Dates | Days | Time | Location |
20576 | SE03 | 5 | 3 | 4 Aug - 15 Sep | Wednesday | 11am - 1pm | MyUni, OL, Online Class |
6 Oct - 27 Oct | Wednesday | 11am - 1pm | MyUni, OL, Online Class | Note: This remote class is ONLY for students for whom health or location prohibits face to face attendance, AND for whom this course is CORE (rather than elective) to their program. This remote session will be delivered synchronously with the face to face session via Zoom. Your Course Coordinator will provide a Zoom link or equivalent via MyUni. | |||
20578 | SE01 | 25 | 9 | 4 Aug - 15 Sep | Wednesday | 11am - 1pm | Lower Napier, LG15, Teaching Room |
6 Oct - 27 Oct | Wednesday | 11am - 1pm | Lower Napier, LG15, Teaching Room |