Myths, Fictions, and Histories of Alexander the Great (PGT) CLASSIC5102

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Humanities
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course explores the literary sources for Alexander the Great with particular emphasis on the grey area between historiography, mythology, and fiction in which these texts operate. It is a mirror course of CLASSIC4003. 

 

Timetable

1x1hr lectures, 1x1hr seminars per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

Requirements of Entry

Standard Entry at Masters at College Level

Excluded Courses

CLASSIC4003

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

One take-home, one-week source comparison (2,500 words) - 40%

Research Project (3,000 words) - 60%

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

This course aims to:

■ Enable students to engage with the history of Alexander the Great

■ Engage closely with sources for the life of Alexander the Great and evaluate their historical worth

■ Explore the grey area between historiography, mythology, and fiction in which these texts operate

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Explain the historical events of the life of Alexander the Great and place these events in their larger historical context;

■ Analyse and evaluate the literary sources for these events;

■ Summarize and critique ancient and modern theories of history and historiography;

■ Formulate your own interpretations of the sources and argue them in a lucid and scholarly manner both orally and in writing.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.