Admission requirements
This course is part of the (Res)MA History Programme. Students from within the specialization the course belongs to have right of way. It is not accessible for BA students.
MA- or ResMA-students from outside the History Department (e.g. Classics or Archaeology) can take the course as an optional course; it is however not possible to take the course for 5 ECTS.
Description
Curse tablets; epiphanies; magical charms; belief in more than one greatest god at the same time; inconsistencies in ancient religions… this list could be much longer. What you have just read are only a few of the central topics addressed in the revolutionary work on ancient religions by Henk Versnel, Professor Emeritus in Ancient History at Leiden University.
During this course we debate the study of ancient religions at Leiden, with a central place for the work of Versnel. His magnum opus ‘Coping with the gods’ (2011) will be at the pivot of our discussions, but will be placed in the context of Versnel’s earlier work and that of other scholars. This course will, then, familiarise the student with history of a number of the debates in the field of ancient religions, but will also examine in detail the current state of affairs.
My own research interests (and, actually, my decision to pursue a PhD in the first place!) have been greatly influenced by the work of Versnel. I consider his work not only very meaningful and important, but great fun (and a joy to read) as well. I am looking forward to the opportunity to show you why this scholar is such an inspiration to me – and hopefully to you, too.
Course objectives
General learning objectives
The student has acquired:
- The ability to analyse and evaluate literature with a view to addressing a particular historical problem;
- The ability to give a clear and well-founded oral and written report on research results in correct English, when required, or Dutch, meeting the criteria of the discipline;
- The ability to provide constructive feedback to and formulate criticism of the work of others and the ability to evaluate the value of such criticism and feedback on one’s own work and incorporate it;
- The ability to participate in current debates in the specialisation;
- (ResMA only:) The ability to participate in a discussion of the theoretical foundations of the discipline.
Learning objectives, pertaining to the specialisation
The student has acquired:
- Thorough knowledge and comprehension of one of the specialisations or subtracks as well as of the historiography of the specialisation, focusing particularly on the following; in the specialisation Ancient History: unification processes in the Graeco-Roman World, 400 BC – 400 AD; insight into the recent large-scale debates in the field with respect to both the history of mentality and socio-economic history.
- (ResMA only): Thorough knowledge and comprehension of the theoretical foundation of the discipline and of its position vis-à-vis other disciplines.
Learning objectives, pertaining to this Literature Seminar
The student:
- has knowledge of the important work in the study of ancient religions at Leiden, especially by Henk Versnel;
- and has the ability to contextualize his work in current debates in the field of ancient religions;
- understands the main forms and sources of evidence – literary, archaeological and epigraphic;
- has the ability to analyze and evaluate literature and sources for the purpose of producing an original scholarly argument;
- (ResMA only): The ability to evaluate the influence of broader societal change on the sorts of questions asked by ancient historians and social scientists more generally;
- (ResMA only): The ability to implement some of the primary sources of evidence –archaeological, literary and epigraphic – in the construction of a characterization of ancient religions.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
- Seminar (compulsory attendance)
This means that students must attend every session of the course. If a student is not able to attend, the student is required to notify the teacher beforehand. The teacher will determine if and how the missed session can be compensated by an additional assignment. If specific restrictions apply to a particular course, the teacher will notify the students at the beginning of the semester. If a student does not comply with the aforementioned requirements, the student will be excluded from the seminar.
Assessment method
Assessment
Weekly literature reflection
measured learning objectives: 1-4; 6; 8-11. ResMA also 5; 7; 12-13Research paper (4000 words, ResMA: 5000 words, see below)
measured learning objectives: 1-4; 6; 8-11. ResMA also 5; 7; 12-13Participation (ResMA: includes leading a discussion)
measured learning objectives: 2-4. ResMA also 12
Weighing
Weekly literature reflection: 30 %
Written research paper: 50 %
Participation/discussion: 20%
The final grade for the course is established by determining the weighted average with the additional requirement that the written paper must always be sufficient.
Deadlines
Assignments and written papers should be handed in within the deadline as provided in the relevant course outline on Brightspace.
Resit
Should the overall mark be unsatisfactory, the paper is to be revised after consultation with the instructor.
Inspection and feedback
How and when a review of the written paper will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the results, a review of the written paper will have to be organised.
Reading list
Our central text is: H.S. Versnel, Coping With the Gods: Wayward Readings in Greek Theology (Brill 2011).
This book is available for free in Open Access, but should students wish to buy the book in print there is a paperback available for 52 euros (on the same website). There is also a hard copy available on our course shelf in the Library.
A further bibliography can be found at Versnel’s academia.edu page
Further literature will be made available on Brightspace and an extensive bibliography of Versnel’s work will be provided.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website.
Contact
For course related questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Huizinga.
Remarks
Not applicable.