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

This unit covers the years between the Homeric epics and the end of the Persian Wars, the period which shaped the main features of the Classical Greek world. Issues of social, literary, political, military and intellectual history and historiography are explored. The unit highlights social and political developments such as the phenomenon of tyranny and the evolution of oligarchy and democracy. The unit also explores the emergence of Persia as a world power and investigates how the confrontation between Persia and the city-states of mainland Greece entrenched Sparta as the major military power of Greece and gave Athens the naval power for her future development. The unit concludes with an exploration of pre-classical Greek intellectual culture.

Credit
6 points
Offering
AvailabilityLocationMode
Not available in 2025UWA (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) explain and interpret key elements of the history (political, military and cultural) of archaic Greece; (2) demonstrate their understanding of the appropriate use of ancient historical sources (both literary and material) for informed scholarly debate, and synthesise diverse items of ancient evidence; and (3) articulate well-reasoned arguments on key issues concerning the history and culture of archaic Greece, demonstrating their familiarity with contemporary scholarship and with the written conventions of the discipline.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) source analysis; (2) essay; and (3) tutorial participation. 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-Louisa O'Sullivan
Unit rules
Prerequisites
any Level 2 CLAN unit
Incompatibility
CLAH2201 Emergence of Greece
Contact hours
lectures: 2 x 1 hour lectures per week delivered online
tutorials: 2 hours per week for 10 weeks from week 2
  • 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.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • 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.