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Unit outline_

ARCL6902: The Archaeology of Athens

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The unit focuses on the art and archaeology of sixth- and fifth-century BC Athens and Attica, setting the archaeological record in its wider historical and social context and also considering the heritage value and presentation of the material remains. A series of seminars by the unit's convenor are combined with oral research presentations delivered by participating students. The aim is to explore with students detailed insights into the material culture of Athens in the late Archaic and Classical periods and its impact in the wider world.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Archaeology
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Stavros Paspalas, stavros.paspalas@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Stavros Paspalas, stavros.paspalas@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Oral presentation
n/a
15% - 20-25 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Participation Contribution to academic discussion
n/a
5% Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Research essay
n/a
80% STUVAC
Due date: 11 Nov 2022 at 23:59
4000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found in the Canvas site for this unit.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction. Attica and the topography of Athens. Resources. Overview of the history of archaeological investigations in Athens and Attica. Recommended reading: J.M. Camp, The Archaeology of Athens (2001) 3-10. Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 02 Athenian Free-standing Sculpture: The Archaic and Classical Periods. Recommended reading: Damaskos, D., “Free-standing and Relief Sculpture” in Smith, T.J. and D. Plantzos eds., A Companion to Greek Art (2012) 107-123. Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 03 Attic Vase-painting. Recommended reading: Mee, C., Greek Archaeology: A Thematic Approach (2011) 141-149; Barringer, J.M., The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece (2014) 159-173; Williams, D. and L. Burn, “Vase Painting in Fifth Century Athens” in Rasmussen, T.B. and N. Spivey eds., Looking at Greek Vases (1991) 103-130. Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 04 Athenian Architecture: Origins, functions and the orders. Domestic Architecture. Recommended reading: Yeroulanou, M., “Architecture in the City and Sanctuary” in Smith, T.J. and D. Plantzos eds., A Companion to Greek Art (2012) 132-152. Tsakirgis, B., “The Architecture of Greek Houses” in Miles, M.M. ed., A Companion to Greek Architecture (2016) Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 05 The Athenian Acropolis in the Archaic Period: Architecture and Sculpture. Recommended reading: Klein, N., “The Small Limestone Buildings on the Akropolis of Athenai” in Sapirstein, P. and Scahill, D. eds., New Directions and Paradigms for the Study of Greek Architecture. Interdisciplinary Dialogues in the Field (2020) 91-105. The Athenian Acropolis in the Classical Period: Architecture and Sculpture Recommended reading: J.M. Camp, The Archaeology of Athens (2001) 72-100; R.R. Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 06 The Slopes of the Athenian Acropolis and the Development of the Theatre. Recommended reading: J.M. Camp, The Archaeology of Athens (2001) 254-256; J. Paga, “The Greek Theatre” in Miles, M.M. ed., A Companion to Greek Architecture (2016). Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 07 The Development of the Agora and the Pnyx Ridge. Recommended reading: J.M. Camp, “The Agora: Public Life ad Administration” in J. Neils and Rogers, D.K. eds., The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Athens (2021) 86-97; J.M. Camp, The Archaeology of Athens (2001) 257-260, 264-265. Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 08 Cemeteries and Funerary Sculpture. Recommended reading: Shea, T., “The Archaic and Classical Cemeteries” in J. Neils and Rogers, D.K. eds., The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Athens (2021) 140-155; Knigge, U., The Athenian Kerameikos. History, Monuments, Excavations (1988) 24-42. Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 09 The Piraeus and the Long Walls Recommended reading: Steinhauer, G., “Piraeus: Harbors, Navy, and Shipping” in J. Neils and Rogers, D.K. eds., The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Athens (2021) 231-243; J.M. Camp, The Archaeology of Athens (2001) 294-298. Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 10 Eleusis and the Eleusinian Mysteries. Recommended reading: Miles, M.M. and Neils, J., “Athenian Festivals” in J. Neils and Rogers, D.K. eds., The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Athens (2021) 333-336; J.M. Camp, The Archaeology of Athens (2001) 283-288. Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 11 Rural Attica 1: Marathon, Trachones (ancient Euonymon), Brauron and Rhamnous, Halai Araphenides (Sanctuary of Artemis Tauropolos) Recommended reading: J.M. Camp, The Archaeology of Athens (2001) 277-280, 291-293, 301-304, 315-318. Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 12 Rural Attica 2: Thorikos and the Laurion Region Recommended reading: J.M. Camp, The Archaeology of Athens (2001) 311-314; Mee, C., Greek Archaeology: A Thematic Approach (2011) 157-163. Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 13 Athens and Delphi Recommended reading: von den Hoff, “Herakles, Theseus and the Athenian Treasury at Delphi” in Schultz, P. and von den Hoff, R. eds., Structure, Image, Ornament. Architectural Sculpture in the Greek World. Proceedings of an International Conference held at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, 27-28 November 2004 (2009) 96-104. Lecture (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: students are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board which will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate a deep understanding of Athenian topography and of the developmental sequences of Athenian material culture through the investigation of Athenian art and architecture in the Archaic and Classical periods
  • LO2. demonstrate a clear understanding of the methodologies employed by archaeologists in their study of Athenian monuments and artefacts
  • LO3. understand the often tangible and complex reflection given by material culture of social, religious, political and historical events, beliefs, attitudes and perceptions
  • LO4. apply theoretical knowledge to practical contexts
  • LO5. an enhanced capability to access, organise and communicate knowledge in oral and written English
  • LO6. an increased ability to work interactively with others
  • LO7. an enhanced appreciation of the requirements and characteristics of scholarship and research
  • LO8. an enhanced capability to exercise critical judgement, and an increased capacity for rigorous and independent thinking.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

There have been minimal changes since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.