Historical Geography of Ancient and Modern Times

Course Description

Objectives

The course is designed to provide an in-depth knowledge of Historical Geography of ancient and modern Greece, exploring the emerging relations between financial, cultural, political and social space. It aims at guiding the students in a learning process that will give them an ability to identify the performance of spatial and social inequalities during the period under examination, to conceptualize the contribution of the social and economic space to the creation of spatial identities, to recognize and interpret symbols as well as meanings of space in a historical perspective focused on the geographical area of Eastern Mediterranean, to analyse changes of our sense of space in a longue durée perspective through various social phenomena (i.e. urbanization, migration, networks of communication, political and social institutions, etc.), to gain critical insights into the nature of cultural, political, economic affairs of different civilizations.

At the end of the course students should have also develop the ability to carry out some basic research and write scientific studies and develop scientific arguments using bibliographical references as well as other geographical sources.

Content

This course will examine the development of the social, economic and cultural space in a trip that sets off from the ancient times and ends up in the creation of the Modern Greek state during the 19th century. It will explore the development of networks of communication, of cities, religious spaces, etc. Particular emphasis will be given on the period of ancient times. However, the discussion will continue to Byzantine and Ottoman times as well as in Greece of the 19th century. The thematic areas that will be covered are the following ones: cartography in ancient times – sacred landscapes and sacred spaces from antiquity to the Byzantine and Ottoman periods – the evolution of writing – cities and ports – networks of communication and fortifications – culture and art from ancient to modern times – inequalities in social and economic space – political systems and power in ancient times – cultural heritage – changes in time and space during the transition from empires to states.

Teaching & Assessment

The assessment of this module will be based on written assignments via e-class as well as an obligatory essay of 5,500 words. The module lecturer will act as his/her supervisor in consultation with whom, students develop their essay ideas, plan their work and discuss the progress of their writing. Submission of the essay is the responsibility of the student on the deadline and there is also a compulsory presentation. The final essay with oral presentation can contribute to the final mark up to 70%, while smaller assignments during the semester contribute 30%.

The lessons are delivered on a face-to-face teaching basis in the class. They also include the use of internet and ICT in the lectures as well as in the e-class of the module.  There are also organized visits at museums and historical or archaeological sites.