EC337-Processes of Long Term Political and Economic Change

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Prof Ken Dark
Email: k.r.dark@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Understanding the Roman Empire and its relevance to studies of long-term political, cultural and economic change and to contemporary societies and economies in much more depth than in EC118 Economy, Politics and Culture in the Roman World.

Aims:
Understanding the Roman Empire and its relevance to studies of long-term political, cultural and economic change and to contemporary societies and economies in much more depth than in EC118 Economy, Politics and Culture in the Roman World.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Knowledge of the means by which one can reconstruct past societies and economies, of the Roman Empire, and how understanding of the past may be used to explore wider questions of long-term political and economic transformation. Skills to formulate arguments about this period based on evidence and to express them in essay form.

Additional outcomes:
Transferable skills of collating and synthesising data from written sources, note-taking and original thought.

Outline content:
Theories of long-term processes of political and economic change. Sources and methods for reconstructing first millennium Europe. Rome and its Empire to c.250; the early Roman economy; society and economy in the early Roman provinces. The Late Roman empire and economy; society and economy in the late Roman provinces. The end of the Western Roman empire. Late Antiquity, c.400-c.600. The 7th century transformation.

Global context:
This module contributes to the distinctive role of studies of pre-Modern periods, and of understanding the importance of politics and culture for economic systems, in teaching economics at Reading.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Ten 2 hour lectures (with slides and handouts) given by the module convenor. Independent thought and reading, analytical skills, writing ability and detailed knowledge of the subject will be developed through essays.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20	1
Guided independent study:		160	19
Total hours by term	0	180	20
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	80
Written assignment including essay	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:
One 3-hour unseen written paper.
Part 3 examinations are held in the Summer term.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Two 2,000 word essays worth 10% each of the overall mark for the module.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A minimum overall mark of 40%.

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination for all modules takes place in August/September of the same year.
Re-assessment is by examination only; coursework is not included at the second attempt.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding: There may be optional costs associated with photocopying or printing sources listed on the reading list relating to this module. Please note that the Library charges approximately 5p per photocopy.
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 16 April 2021