Modules
Ancient Science and Society (CLA3264)
| Staff | Dr David Leith - Convenor |
|---|---|
| Credit Value | 15 |
| ECTS Value | 15 |
| NQF Level | 6 |
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Co-requisites | None |
| Duration of Module | Term 2: 11 weeks; |
Module aims
The aims of this module are:
- To expand knowledge of different forms of ancient scientific research
- To develop understanding of its specific cultural roots
- To interrogate assumptions about what counts as scientific progress
- To engage critically with a range of forms of scientific writing in antiquity
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Demonstrate an understanding of different scientific disciplines in antiquity
- 2. Demonstrate awareness of how scientific research is influenced by cultural contexts
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 3. Demonstrate critical and analytical skills which can be applied to the analysis of texts of any culture
- 4. Demonstrate advanced appreciation of the issues involved in using texts as historical material, and relate texts to their socio-historical context
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 5. Demonstrate the ability to think critically and independently on a range of crucial issues and to construct an interesting and consistent argument
- 6. Demonstrate the ability to speak clearly, engage in public debate and respond critically to observations and objections
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Introduction - what is ancient ‘science’?
- Hippocratic Corpus
- Plato’s Academy and the Timaeus
- Aristotle’s invention of biology
- Epicurus’ Letters
- Hellenistic mathematical letters
- Aëtius’ Placita
- Lucretius’ On Nature
- Seneca’s Natural Questions
- Pliny’s Natural History
- Conclusions
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Seminars (1 x 2 hours a week) |
| Guided Independent Study | 128 | Preparation for seminars and assessments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Close study of key primary texts and scholarship, with broader discussions of issues | Weekly | 1-6 | Oral feedback from lecturer and peers |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 0 | 30 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral presentation | 30 | 10 minutes | 1-6 | Oral feedback and written comments |
| Essay | 70 | 3000 words | 1-5 | Written comments Individual feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral presentation | Transcript of presentation (1000 words) with accompanying handout and/or visual aid | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Essay | Essay | 1-5 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- M. Asper (ed.), Writing Science. Medical and Mathematical Authorship in Ancient Greece (Berlin 2013).
- T.D. Barnes (ed.), The Sciences in Greco-Roman Society (Edmonton 1994).
- T. Barton, Knowledge and Power. Astrology, Physiognomics and Medicine under the Roman Empire (Ann Arbor 1994).
- S. Cuomo, Technology and Culture in Greek and Roman Antiquity (Cambridge 2007).
- G.E.R. Lloyd, Greek Science after Aristotle (London 1973).
- —, Magic, Reason and Experience (Cambridge 1979).
- —, Science, Folklore and Ideology (Cambridge 1983).
- —, Methods and Problems in Greek Science (Cambridge 1991).
- E. Rawson, Intellectual Life in the Late Roman Republic (London 1985).
- L. Taub, Aetna and the Moon. Explaining Nature in Ancient Greece and Rome (Corvallis 2008).
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
04/03/2016
Last revision date
04/08/2020
Key words search
Ancient Science