CL2RO-Roman History: From Republic to Empire

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Andreas Gavrielatos
Email: a.gavrielatos@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This Roman history module covers the period from the second triumvirate in the last years of the Republic to the reigns of the emperors.

Aims:
This module aims to provide students with knowledge of the main historical events and political, social, and economic developments of the Roman world in the period late 1st century BC-2nd century AD. It introduces students to the principles, methods, and applications of ancient history, equipping them to evaluate and use the different kinds of primary source material available.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• Describe and analyse key issues pertaining the history of the period examined;


• Interpret complex evidence and ideas, and construct a coherent argument from them;


• Discuss the most significant literary texts, inscriptions and archaeological evidence for the period, and assess the limitations of the different sources of evidence;


• Utilise and evaluate the most important modern theories and approaches relevant to the study of Roman history.

Additional outcomes:

The module develops oral communication skills and team-working, through discussions and presentations in seminars. It also encourages critical thinking in the assessment of ancient and modern texts and encourages students to work independently. It provides training in key research skills such as the use of web bibliographical and research databases. Students will also develop skills related to examinations.

Outline content:
This module treats key historical phases of Roman history spanning from the late 1st century BC (the years of the second triumvirate) to the 2nd century AD. Topics examined will include political, social, cultural, and economic history, such as the social structure, the political relationship between emperor and senate, the aims of the building programmes promoted by emperors in the capital and across the empire, the role of the army in the Romanization process. Throughout, the emphasis will beon the historiography of the period and close reading of key primary sources, so that students are encouraged to acquire the skills central to the study of antiquity.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching consists of two one-hour lecture sessions a week and a total of six hours of small group work (seminars). All sessions presume preparatory reading by students.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Seminars		6
Guided independent study:		174
Total hours by term		200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students are required to produce two pieces of coursework:

1. an exercise on sources, to be submitted by 12 noon on Thursday of Week 8 of the Spring term. Relative percentage of this piece of coursework: 50%. 


2. an essay of 2,000 words, to be submitted by 12 noon on Thursday of Week 1 of the Summer term. Relative percentage of this piece of coursework: 50%

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: 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:
40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

The module will be assessed through two pieces of coursework worth 50% each. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023