Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

The campaigns of Alexander the Great saw a profound acceleration of the diffusion of Greek culture across a vast swathe of territory, and prompted the emergence, from Egypt to India, of new, hybrid cultures. These new cultures were located within innovative political entities, the Hellenistic kingdoms, and shaped by highly successful dynasties such as the Seleucids and Ptolemies. Mirroring the evolution of these kingdoms in the east was the rise of Rome in the west. This unit explores this dynamic Hellenistic period (323-31 BCE) and the cultural artefacts — from art and architecture to literature — that it produced; it explores also the fluid, and often violent, interactions between these divergent power-blocks, and does so through engagement with the complex and often fragmentary ancient evidence from the period itself.

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 1UWA (Perth)Face to face
Details for undergraduate courses
  • Level 3 option in the Classics and Ancient History major sequence
  • Level 3 elective
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) describe and interpret the major events and cultural features of the Hellenistic period; (2) evaluate and synthesise different types of ancient evidence that contribute to our understanding of the Hellenistic period and its cultures; (3) critically evaluate the modern scholarship on the Hellenistic period; (4) conduct research in the field of Hellenistic history; and (5) articulate, in written and oral forms, understandings of the Hellenistic world..

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) tutorial participation; (2) sources paper; and (3) research essay. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Dr Lara O'Sullivan
Unit rules
Prerequisites
Any level 2 CLAN unit
Contact hours
Lecture x 1 hr per week
Tutorial x 2 hrs per week (up to 3 hours per week)
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.