Program Overview

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Introduction to AHIS1210

The unit AHIS1210, Studying the Past: An Introduction to Ancient History in the 21st Century, is designed to introduce students to the changing nature of the study of antiquity and the ongoing significance of the past in the modern world.

General Information

• Unit convenor and teaching staff: Convenor and Tutor Ray Laurence
• Credit points: 10
• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Co-badged status: None
• Unit description: This unit sets out to introduce students to the changing nature of the study of antiquity and the ongoing significance of the past in the modern world. It introduces students to the study of primary sources, or evidence from the Greek and Roman world, and the evaluation of how history is written through an analysis of a specific historical area.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Explain the principles and processes by which historical and/or archaeological evidence from ancient Greece, Rome, and Late Antiquity is analyzed, evaluated, and interpreted.
• Engage with contemporary cultural perspectives and practices to contextualize historical knowledge from antiquity.
• Examine and critically evaluate historical data with initiative and judgment by presenting evidence-based exposition of knowledge and ideas about the study of antiquity.

General Assessment Information

• Assessments are due in weeks 4, 8, and 13.
• Deadlines, extensions, and late penalties are strictly enforced, with a 5% penalty per day for late submissions up to 7 days, after which a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• The use of AI or Large Language Models (LLMs) for assessments in this unit is subject to specific guidelines, emphasizing the importance of human analytical skills over automated tools.

Assessment Tasks

• Writing as an ancient author (30%): Students will write an account of a contemporary event as though they were an ancient author.
• Blog 1 Research Project (30%): Students will write a blog summarizing the strengths and weaknesses of recent research within Ancient History.
• Blog 2: Ancient History - The Importance of Studying the Past (40%): Students will research a topic in ancient history and set out the significance of studying this topic in the form of a blog targeted at the contemporary public.

Delivery and Resources

To successfully undertake this unit, students need to use the following resources:

1. iLearn page: Sets out weekly tasks and is linked to all resources.
2. Tutorials: Held in weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12.
3. Lectures: Recorded and provide key information.
4. In conversation: Features the option of watching a short conversation between the convenor and an expert on the topic.
5. Readings for Tutorials: A set of readings to be undertaken each week.
6. Readings for Assessment: Required readings for each assessment.
7. Leganto Reading List: A set of readings that facilitates success in the unit.
8. Instruction on the use of AI or Large Language Models (LLMs): Instruction will be given on how to use LLMs to make summaries of readings in the Leganto Reading List.

Unit Schedule

The unit is divided into three blocks of work:

• Block 1: Pandemics in Antiquity (weeks 1-4): Studies how plagues or pandemics were described by ancient authors.
• Block 2: The History of Disability (weeks 5-8): Focuses on the challenge of how to write a history of disability.
• Block 3: The Relevance of Ancient History in the 21st Century (weeks 9-13): Explores the significance of studying ancient history in the modern world.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular:

• Academic Appeals Policy
• Academic Integrity Policy
• Academic Progression Policy
• Assessment Policy
• Fitness to Practice Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
• Special Consideration Policy

Changes from Previous Offering

• The introduction of "In Conversations" between the convenor and another academic has been extended to nearly all weeks of the unit.
• Training in the ethical use of Large Language Models (LLM or Ai) has been included in the unit for the first time.
• Assessments have a more focused set of readings to clarify the need to complete assessments with the use of these readings rather than relying on internet searches or the Encyclopaedia Britannica.