ARMVME-From Village to Metropolis: Understanding the urban phenomenon of Ancient 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:

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


• Demonstrate an understanding of the value of an interdisciplinary approach by integrating diverse forms of evidence in their exploration of lived experience in Rome;


• Relate the evidence and arguments presented in the lectures and seminars to additional information assembled during their own research;


• Articulate their arguments effectively and illustrate them with relevant evidence;


• Synthesise and evaluate the diverse forms of evidence in the analysis of archaeological, epigraphic and historical sources relating to Rome;


• Sppraise critically recent discoveries, debates and controversies in Roman archaeology;


• demonstrate the ability to conduct and present independent, constructive interpretations resulting from group discussion and self-directed research.

Additional outcomes:

• Collation and synthesis of diverse sources of information through consultation of the course bibliography.


• Identification of further relevant literature to inform self-directed learning and research.


• Development of presentation skills and constructive discussion in lectures and seminars.


• Promotion of independent, self-directed study skills, focussed on specific themes, and presentation of in-depth, critical and cogent written argument through coursework.

Outline content:

Forming the political, cultural and religious heart of the Roman world, the ancient city of Rome has provided an incredible wealth of iconic monuments and buildings whose legacy is still felt today. Through a combination of 1 hour weekly lectures followed by intensive seminarsForming 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 examine the 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 set texts, 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 (held in conjunction with AR3R9) 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 hours 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:	180
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	80
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:
N/A

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, oral presentation and seminar participation count towards their assessment.

Relative percentage of coursework: 100%
Essay 80%; oral presentation 10%; seminar participation 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):

1) Required text books:  

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  

4) Printing and binding:  

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  

Last updated: 30 March 2023