Teaching code

4S003213

Credits

12

Moodle Seminars

The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning outcomes

Deepening of the knowledge related to the development of the historical events of the Greek world until the Roman conquest of the Hellenistic kingdoms. Critical awareness of the methodological foundations of the discipline and of the prevailing research guidelines. Adequate familiarity with the primary historical sources and the most significant original documents. Development of individual analytical and research critical skills.

Program

The specific educational aims of the course "War and peace in Ancient Greek poleis and ‘federal states’" are:

-to develop students' knowledge and understanding of interpoleic relations, also in ‘federal states’, with an emphasis on border wars and arbitrations
-to provide the intellectual tools for critically discussing the potential of conflict resolution by ‘federal states’
-to provide the intellectual tools for critically discussing the relevant historical events

Learning outcomes.

a. Knowledge and understanding
Students are expected
-to get familiar with interpoleic relations, with an emphasis on border relations, also in ‘federal states’.
-to understand the main problems related to the development and the mechanisms of decision-making in ancient Greek ‘federal states’

b. Skills. Students are expected:
-to read and to observe critically primary and secondary source material and valuate different sources of information
-to recognize historical problems and to formulate their own questions about major historical issues connected with ancient border relations
-to gradually develop the ability to approach historical problems with academic rigour
-to gradually develop the ability to approach the potential of conflict resolution by ‘federal states’



Contents:

-historical geography of Ancient Greece
-scholarship on ‘polis’, ‘borderland’, ‘no man’s land’
-interpoleic wars and the anthropology of conflict
-scholarship on Greek ‘federal states’: beyond the 'tribal state'
-terminological problems: ethne, leagues, koinà, confederations, federations
-the ethnic background of the Greek ‘federal states’
-the impact of war on ethnogenesis and koinogenesis
-the double citizenship; subdivisions providing a formula for league membership
-border wars in ‘non federal contexts’
-border wars in ‘federal states’
-scholarship on ‘federalism and conflict resolution’

Teaching and learning methods and activities

The course is taught through a combination of lectures (frontal teaching), classroom discussions, cooperative learning (primary sources) and flipped classroom. Formative tests will be made available.

Entrance requirements:

Students are expected to be already familiar with the outlines of the history of the ancient Greek world.
Knowledge of ancient Greek is not required.
Students are expected to be able to closely read texts and to critically manage complex information.

Bibliography

Examination Methods

Attending students:
1) One paper (30%) discussing a topic to be agreed upon with the teacher: 40%. The case study or the topic should be chosen from among the cases or themes addressed in the lesson (border conflicts, arbitration procedures, conflict resolution mechanisms, theoretical reflections on federalism, anthropology of conflict).The student should contact the teacher to define the theme, structure and bibliography. The paper should be between 2500 and 3000 words in length. It must be submitted at the latest two weeks before the exam.
2)The final oral exam (60%) will assess the students' ability to critically discuss one or more topics based on the reading list provided.

Non-attending students:
1) ) One paper discussing a topic to be agreed upon with the teacher: 30%. The case study or the topic should be chosen from among the cases or themes addressed in the course bibliography (border conflicts, arbitration procedures, conflict resolution mechanisms, theoretical reflections on federalism, anthropology of conflict).The student should contact the teacher to define the theme, structure and bibliography. The paper should be between 2500 and 3000 words in length. It must be submitted at the latest two weeks before the exam.

2)The final oral exam (70%) will assess the students' ability to critically discuss one or more topics based on the reading list provided.

Non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher (elena.franchi@unitn.it).