CL4467 Classics for the Modern World: interventions and applications

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available to General Degree students with the permission of the Honours Adviser

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr A R Konig

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Alice Konig

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This innovative 'living labs' module will challenge students to research ways in which our study of the ancient world might contribute to debates about pressing modern issues. There will be lots of guided reflection on the ethics and methodologies of using material and models from the past as 'interventions' in modern-day problems, with discussion of various 'uses and abuses' of the ancient past along the way. Much of the work on the module will revolve around team-work, with groups ultimately having to pitch a well-researched proposal for a viable project that will bring ancient knowledge/material to bear on a modern challenge (such as 'fake news'). Students will also be assessed individually, however, via written assignments that ask them to reflect on the process of finding ancient solutions to modern-day problems. This module will give students new insights into the study of the ancient world as well as developing skills in problem-solving, team-work and entrepreneurial thinking.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

AS STATED IN THE SCHOOL OF CLASSICS UNDERGRADUATE HANDBOOK

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100% (learning diary, 25%; research proposal, 10%; presentation, 25%, essay, 40%)

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2-hour seminar (x11 weeks)

Intended learning outcomes

  • Describe and analyse different (and differently valid) methodologies for connecting ancient material and modern issues.
  • Describe and analyse past examples of 'applied Classics'
  • Identify and select new opportunities for connecting ancient and modern issues.
  • Design, evaluate and select appropriate new methods for applying ancient material to modern challenges.
  • Collaborate effectively with others in choosing, researching, designing and presenting a project proposal.
  • Research, design, present and reflectively evaluate a viable proposal for connecting particular ancient and modern issues.

Awards

Golden Dandelion Prize for excellence in Education for Sustainable Development

This module exhibits an excellent method to embed sustainability within other learning: by focussing a project around reporting on St Andrews’ sustainability effort, it both meets the module goals of teaching communication and listening in academic contexts, and exposes students to real-world issues in sustainability. This module has been awarded the Golden Dandelion Prize in 2021.

You can find out about all Golden Dandelion modules