CE4600: The Archaeology of Ancient Greek Religion
| School | Continuing and Professional Education |
| Department Code | LEARN |
| Module Code | CE4600 |
| External Subject Code | 100299 |
| Number of Credits | 10 |
| Level | L4 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Dr Christina Hatzimichael Whitley |
| Semester | Autumn Semester |
| Academic Year | 2017/8 |
Outline Description of Module
To introduce students to the material and literary evidence of ancient Greece in order to understand the nature of Greek religion and to enable them to comprehend the place of religion in the life, society and culture of ancient Greece
On completion of the module a student should be able to
Knowledge and Understanding:
By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able to:
- demonstrate a broad knowledge of the relevant material evidence from Bronze Age, Iron Age, Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic Greece.
- demonstrate a broad knowledge of the chronology and terminology developed for the art, architecture and archaeology of the Greek World from the Bronze Age to the Classical period.
- demonstrate a basic understanding of how material cultures are analysed & categorized
- demonstrate an understanding of how literary evidence can be related to material evidence.
Intellectual Skills:
By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able to:
- demonstrate a basic understanding of the theories, questions and debates surrounding the archaeology of religion.
- initiate, undertake and articulate a basic analysis of archaeological data
- demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which archaeological data is interpreted and represented
- demonstrate a critical approach to academic texts
- demonstrate an ability to analyse literary sources in relation to material culture
Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:
By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able to:
- demonstrate an ability to assess critically and synthesise the material evidence and interpret Greek religion, culture and society.
- take notes effectively within archaeology lectures and when researching essays
- research, plan and structure archaeology essays and/or projects
- recognise, evaluate and interpret different types of archaeological evidence relating to Greek religion and society
Transferable Skills:
By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able:
- to present an argument accurately, succinctly and lucidly, in written or oral form
- to time manage and organise study methods and workload
- to work with others, and have respect for others' reasoned views
- to gather, organise and deploy evidence, data and information; familiarity with appropriate means of identifying, finding, retrieving, sorting and exchanging information
How the module will be delivered
Nine two-hour sessions incorporating lectures, seminars and workshops
18 contact hours plus remote support & resources via Learning Central.
How the module will be assessed
Through a combination of essay or other appropriate written assignments which together total no more than 1500 words designed to demonstrate detailed knowledge of selected aspects of the course and to improve skills in the collection, summary and dissemination of information.
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assessment | 100 | The Archaeology Of Ancient Greek Religion | N/A |
Syllabus content
Unit 1. Introduction to the module. The archaeology of religion: theory and practice
Unit 2. Neolithic and Bronze Age Religion.
Unit 3. Continuity and Discontinuity of religious practices and beliefs. The transition to the Iron Age.
Unit 4. Archaic Greece. Temples and Sanctuaries.
Unit 5. Myths ,Gods, Festivals, Sacrifice
Unit 6. Polis, religion, society
Unit 7. Religion and gender
Unit 8. The Burial record: Practices and Beliefs
Unit 9. New ideas and debates about religion in Classical Greece. From Classical to Hellenistic and Roman times.
Background Reading and Resource List
General Books on the Archaeology of Religion (Theoretical Background)
Bell, C. 1992. Ritual Theory: Ritual Practice. Oxford: O.U.P
Insoll, T. (ed). 1999. Case Studies in Archaeology and World Religion. BAR International Series 755. Oxford BAR
---------------- Archaeology and World Religion. Routledge: 203-220
-------- - 2004. Archaeology, Ritual, Religion. London:Routledge.
Parker-Pearson, M. 1999. The Archaeology of Death and Burial. Stroud:Sutton.
The Bronze Age
Evans, Sir A.J. 1921-35. The Palace of Minos. 4 volumes. London: Macmillan.
Marinatos, N. 1984. Art and Religion in Thera. Athens: Mathiolakis.
Marinatos, N. 1993. Minoan Religion: ritual, image and symbol. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press. (Slightly less mad: use with caution, all the same)
Renfrew, C. 1985. The Archaeology of Cult: The Sanctuary at Phylakopi. London:BSA
Rutkowski, B. 1991. Petsophas: A Cretan Peak Sanctuary. Warsaw: Perl Press.
Warren, P. 1988. Minoan Religion as Ritual Action. Goteborg: Goteborg University Press.
Historical Greek Religion
Bremmer, J.N. 1994. Greek Religion. Oxford: O.U.P.
Bruit Zaidman, L. & P. Schmitt Pantel. 1992. Religion in the Ancient Greek City.
Burkert, W. 1997 (Eng.Tr.1985). Greek Religion.
Easterling, P.E. & J.V. Muir (eds). 1985. Greek Religion and Society. Cambridge:C.U.P
Marinatos, N. & R. Hagg. 1993. Greek Sanctuaries: New Approaches. London: Routledge.
Mikalson, J.D. 2005. Ancient Greek Religion. Oxford: Blackwell.
Price, S. 1999. Religions of the Ancient Greeks.
Sourvinou-Inwood, C. 1991. Reading Greek Culture Texts and Images, Rituals and Myths. Oxford: Clavendon