Back to the future!
What does the future hold for us? Humans think, or worry, quite often about their own future, and the world’s. And they also think about how the future actually works: what is it, is it predestined, can we influence it, and many more such questions. In the ancient world they had a future to contemplate as well. Thoughts, concerns, and actions related to the future were important aspects of life in the ancient world. The individual worried, among others, about crises, that were both collective (war, famine, disease) and individual (childlessness, business worries, love matters), that might come one day, or were already at hand. But one could also hope for something better. The future could be very threatening – or promising.
In this seminar we address several topics, starting with the relationship between future and the individual, questions concerning predicting and controlling the future, and also issues of innovation and progress (here one may think of inventions or rites-de-passage, or thought about change). The overriding question is: how did ancient men and women resolve their concerns about the future? Answers to this question are still relevant today.
Time Table
Semester I, see timetables.
Method of Instruction
Research seminar; attendance is compulsory (see the rules and regulations of the Department of History, art. 2).
Course load
280 hours, of which 24 hours in class; the remainder is to be spend on reading literature and writing a paper.
Course objectives
A thorough knowledge of aspects related to ancient thought and action concerning the future.
Enhanced performance in the following areas: research skills, presentation skills, composition skills, ability to evaluate the findings of other researchers.
Required reading
Literature will be specified at a later stage.
For the entry exam all should read: G.E.R. Lloyd, The ambitions of curiosity: understanding the world in Ancient Greece and China (Cambridge 2002).
Examination
Every student will be expected to give several short presentations of their preliminary findings (20%) and write a final paper (80%)
Information
With the tutors: Dr.F.G. Naerebout and K. Beerden MPhil.
Blackboard/website
http://www.ancient-history-online.info
http://www.oudegeschiedenis.info
Enrolment
Please use this form to apply for MA courses.