AHIS1040

War in the Ancient World

10 Units 1000 Level Course

Available in 2014

Callaghan Campus Semester 2

Previously offered in 2012, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005

This course will examine, by means of case studies, a number of aspects of the prosecution of war in the ancient world. The course will consider the attitudes, roles and actions of the warring parties, and the impact warfare has on combatants and non-combatants alike. Where nations are involved in prosecuting war, the course will also consider the reasons for the outbreak of warfare, and it will consider the nature of the societies participating in such conflict.

Objectives On completion of this course students will:
1. be familiar with and able to analyse texts relevant to ancient warfare
2. be able to compare and contrast relevant texts for accuracy and credibility and to appreciate and express the limits of ancient evidence
3. have assimilated the terminology of the discipline
4. have investigated the periods of history and major events under consideration, as well as major political and military figures
5. have evaluated, investigated and written about military problems in ancient history
6. understand the place of warfare in different societies
Content Content includes: the methods of war of the society, state or city and the benefits accruing from war (e.g. booty, indemnity, territorial acquisition); the structure of the army, with attention to the commander; logistical considerations of the army and campaigning - supplies and movements, weaponry, training in tactics, morale; strategies employed by warring generals, including aggressive warfare, sieges of towns, use of terror and psychology; battle tactics based on reconstructions of important battles; depiction and treatment of the enemy as combatants, hostages, prisoners (slavery, torture, execution); treatment of non-combatants (brutalising, rape, slavery, execution).
Replacing Course(s) N/A
Transition This course does not replace an existing course or courses.
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge No assumed knowledge
Modes of Delivery Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Lecture
Tutorial
Assessment Items
Essays / Written Assignments A source-commentary exercise, worth 30%. This exercise will require the student to analyse in detail two short extracts from the ancient sources, assessing each piece of evidence in terms of its context, content and bias. Each discussion will contain approximately 500 words, so 1000 words in total.
Essays / Written Assignments The assessment will comprise one short essay, worth 20%. This essay will require the student to gather evidence from and analyse a large portion of a major ancient source. The results of this work must be presented in essay-form but contain only approximately 1000 words.
Essays / Written Assignments One longer essay, worth 50%. This essay will concern a major problem of historical or thematic interest, and students will be expected to do research based on the ancient evidence, supplemented by modern authorities. The length of this essay will be 2000 words. TOTAL: 4000 words
Group/tutorial participation and contribution Students must enrol in a tutorial group, since all assessment items will be handed out during tutorials, all completed assignments will be collected from students during their tutorials, and all marked work will be returned to students during tutorial times. In addition, it is expected that students will attend tutorials and participate in any discussions. For these, students will need to do the set reading. Tutorials provide in-depth examination of various topics in such a way that they inculcate the methodology of the discipline.
Contact Hours Lecture: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Tutorial: for 1 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Timetables 2014 Course Timetables for AHIS1040