ARMLE-Exploring Lived Experience in Imperial Rome

Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Philippa Walton
Email: p.j.walton@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module will provide a comprehensive overview of the archaeology of the city of Rome in the imperial period.  Adopting a thematic approach and using a range of archaeological, epigraphic and historical evidence, we will focus on a study of the inhabitants of the city, particularly those who are ‘without history’.

Aims:

By the end of the module, students will have a thorough understanding of the main sources of evidence for exploring the range of lived experience in imperial Rome and be critically aware of their strengths and weaknesses. They will have explored a diverse range of topics including population size and composition, housing, entertainment, ritual and religious experience and have acquired in-depth knowledge of some of the key debates current in Roman archaeology.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students should be able to

• Identify a range of sources used to study the people, monuments and material culture of Imperial Rome and be able to evaluate their use critically;


• Review and apply a range of theoretical approaches to studying lived experience in the city of Rome in the imperial period;


• Conduct and present independent research arising from the material explored in lectures, seminars and self-directed study.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Forming the political, cultural and religious heart of the Roman world, Rome has provided an incredible wealth of iconic monuments and buildings whose legacy is still felt today. Employing an interdisciplinary approach and through a combination of weekly 1 hour lectures followed by intensive seminars, we will attempt to recover something of the lives of those ‘without history’. Students will explore a range of sources (literary, historical, epigraphic, archaeological) and examinethe role of the latest scientific and theoretical approaches (eg. Bioarchaeology; sensory archaeology) in reconstructing the city and the lives of its inhabitants. They will address a diverse range of topics including population size and composition, housing, entertainment, ritual and religious experience and will be introduced to some of the key research themes current in Roman archaeology. Group seminars will involve constructive critiques of a range of scholarly work on the city, discussion of specific case studies (including further discussion of material and themes covered in the lectures), and assessed student research presentations.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Weekly lectures in addition to seminars based on reading assignments, presentations and further group discussion of material covered in lectures.



This is a 20 credit module, which means that it is intended to occupy you for 200 hours of work, including attendance at lectures, seminar preparation, background reading, essay reading and writing. Self-directed study could be organised as follows:

5 hours preparing your assessed presentation

30 hour s engaged in reading and note taking from key texts for each week

80 hours background reading for lectures

55 hours engaged in reading, preparation and writing your essay

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Seminars	10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	30
Wider reading (directed)	30
Advance preparation for classes	60
Preparation for presentations	5
Essay preparation	55
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	90
Oral assessment and presentation	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will write one essay of 5000 words, deliver one oral presentation, and participate regularly in seminar discussion. The essay and oral presentation will form the basis of assessment.

Relative percentage of coursework: 100%

Essay 90%; oral presentation 10%

Formative assessment methods:

Constant feedback is given in Masters' tutorials as the essay topic is developed and ideas explored.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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 mark of 50% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-submission of coursework in September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 14 August 2023