Technology and the Technological in Classical Antiquity
| Module title | Technology and the Technological in Classical Antiquity |
|---|---|
| Module code | CLAM085 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Maria Gerolemou (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Module description
This module seeks to define technology by interrogating the conceptual distinction between nature and art (technê), and between organic and inorganic life. Understood as a procedure that runs contrary to nature, the notion of technology in the ancient world encompasses – apart from mechanics and machinery – procedures such as prosthetics, athletics and pharmaceutics that enhance a body. We will investigate specific technical texts and how they interconnect with literary texts. We will examine the ethical issues raised in relation to the (ab)use of technology, and explore how modern engagements with technology affect the concept in the ancient world
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to:
- To study how technical knowledge and its instructional character is presented by writers of ancient texts
- To critically evaluate a diverse range of material from classical antiquity, including technical texts, historiography, drama, and epic poetry
- To engage with relevant material sources (e.g. the Antikythera mechanism)
- To understand the intersection between technology, ancient society and economy
- To engage with modern theories on technology and critically include these theories in the discussion of technology in the ancient world
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Engage with technical language, texts, and concepts relevant to the understanding of technology in the ancient world
- 2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of technical and literary sources relating to ancient technology and its impact on ancient culture
- 3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the material evidence relating to ancient technology
- 4. Understand technological concepts through the modern notion of technology
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Demonstrate sophisticated analytical skills which can be applied to a wider range of textual and other evidence from ancient and modern contexts
- 6. Demonstrate critical skills in evaluating scholarly approaches to ancient material, and in developing your own readings and interpretations
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Demonstrate independent research skills
- 8. Demonstrate oral presentation skills
- 9. Demonstrate skills in critical thinking
- 10. Collaborate with module leader and peers in a constructive and responsive way
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Ancient Technology 1: From Homer to Plato
- Ancient Technology 2: From the Hellenistic Engineers to Anthemius of Tralles
- Medicine and Technology
- Art and Technology: The living statue
- Economy and Technology
- Religion and Technology (the mechanical wonders)
- Sex/Gender and Technology
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 135 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 15 | Intensive seminar and reading group teaching |
| Guided Independent Study | 135 | Working independently and in groups in preparation for seminars and essays |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar participation | Continuous | 1-10 | Oral feedback from tutor and peers |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | 0 | 20 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 80 | 4000 words | 1-7,9 | Mark; written and oral feedback |
| Oral presentation (individual) | 20 | 20-25 minutes | 1-10 | Mark; written and oral feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay | 1-7,9 | Referral/deferral period |
| Oral presentation (individual) | Essay (2000 words) | 1-10 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Asper, M. (ed.), Writing Science. Mathematical and Medical Authorship in Ancient Greece. Science, Technology and Medicine in Ancient Cultures 1, Berlin 2013.
- Cuomo, S. Technology and Culture in Greek and Roman Antiquity, Cambridge; New York 2007.
- Fischer, K. D. & B. Holmes (eds.) The Frontiers of Ancient Science: Essays in Honor of Heinrich von Staden, Berlin 2014.
- Foegen, Th. (ed.), Antike Fachtexte – Ancient Technical Texts, Berlin & New York 2005.
- Oleson, J.P. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Engineering and. Technology in the Classical World, New York 2008.
- Schironi, Fr., “Technical Languages: Science and Medicine.” In A Companion to the Ancient Greek Language, ed. E. J. Bakker, 338–353. Chichester, West Sussex, UK; Malden, MA 2010
- Volk, K., The Poetics of Latin Didactic?: Lucretius, Vergil, Ovid, Manilius, Oxford; New York 2002.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/01/2019 |
| Last revision date | 12/03/2019 |