Studying the Past: An Introduction to Ancient History in the 21st Century
UndergraduateMAQ-AHIX12102025
Explore how universities in today’s modern world research and make meaning of the past. You’ll review evidence of major events in Greek and Roman history. And with a critical eye, you’ll evaluate ancient sources against current principles and processes.
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- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 24 Feb 2025
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Studying the Past: An Introduction to Ancient History in the 21st Century
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to
- Engage with contemporary cultural perspectives and practices to contextualise historical knowledge from antiquity
- Explain the principles a processes by which historical and/or archaeological evidence from ancient Greece, Rome and Late Antiquity is analysed, evaluated and interpreted.
- Examine and critically evaluate historical data with initiative and judgement by presenting evidence based exposition of knowledge and ideas about the study of antiquity.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
The study of the past is constantly evolving and this unit sets out to introduce students to the changing nature of the study of antiquity and the on-going significance of the past in the modern world. This unit also introduces students to the study of primary sources, or evidence from Greek and Roman world, and the evaluation of how history is written through an analysis of a specific historical area.
The first section of the unit is focused on the study of ancient sources - what is our evidence and how did authors millennia ago write about major world events - pandemics, war, politics, and so on that continue to be a focus for us today. This section of the unit will give you a thorough understanding of the issues around the use of evidence in Ancient History.
The second section of the unit focuses on the writing of ancient history in the modern world. You will study a developing area of recent research and critically evaluate how this research is created, its limitations and its strengths, and its significance for those living in the modern world.
The third section introduces students to recent research on the failure of the Roman Republic in the second century BCE with a view to better understanding how a political system can simply cease to function and to understand the relevance of this historical phenomenon for the 21st century.
- Blog 1 Research Project (30%)
- Writing as an ancient author (30%)
- Blog 2: Ancient History - The Importance of Studying the Past (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
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- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 11
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- 10
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Student feedback
7 student respondents between 25 May - 16 June 2024.
100%of students felt the study load was manageable
100%of students felt this subject helped them gain relevant skills
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UndergraduateMAQ-ART-DEG
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