Course Catalogue

Athenian Democracy: Model or Mob Rule (PGT) CLASSIC5096

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Humanities
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course offers the opportunity to study the earliest form of democracy in the Western world as well as ancient and modern attitudes to it.

Timetable

1 hour lecture and 1 hour seminar per week on separate days over 10 weeks of one semester

Requirements of Entry

Standard entry to Masters at College level

Excluded Courses

CLASSIC4001 Athenian Democracy: Model or Mob Rule?

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ 2 essays of (2000 words) each, the topic of the second one will be chosen by the student - 100%

 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the essays, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

This course aims to:

 

■ Explore in detail the history of the earliest form of democracy in the Western world as well as ancient and modern attitudes to it

■ Engage closely with a range of literary sources for Classical Athenian democracy

■ Become familiar with important secondary literature on the subject

■ Discuss ancient and modern theories and opinions about democracy

■ Reflect on democracy, ancient and modern, as a type of constitution

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Describe the historical context of the Classical Athenian democracy and its functioning

■ Analyse and evaluate a range of ancient texts as historical sources for Athenian democracy and ancient attitudes to it

■ Summarize and evaluate modern theories about the Athenian democracy

■ Formulate your own interpretations of the sources with due regard for recent scholarship

■ Formulate lucid arguments which demonstrate engagement with primary sources and secondary literature

■ Formulate their own research questions in the field and execute the relevant research.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions