CL3BSA-Archaeology and Topography of Ancient Greece

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: CL1GH Greek History: war, society, and change in the Archaic Age
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Emma Aston
Email: e.m.m.aston@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Aims:

This module is offered in conjunction with the British School at Athens (BSA). All teaching takes place in Greece over a three week period in August/September. This module consists of an intensive introduction to Prehistoric, Classical, Roman, and Byzantine Greece, with specialist lectures, guided site visits both in Athens and in central and southern Greece (often conducted by those responsible for the site or excavation) and opportunities to gain first-hand experience of objects and monuments not accessible to the individual traveller, and to undertake projects of student's own (approved) choice. Students intending to take this module must make an application to the BSA for a place on their Undergraduate Course. The deadline for applications is usually in March or April: see the BSA website for more details of the course and how to apply. Students are responsible for the cost of travel and accommodation and for some additional costs: see the BSA website.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By participating in this module students will gain knowledge and understanding of:
' the material culture of Greece over a long time span, and particularly of the built environment;
' the relationship between sites and their environments;
' diachronic change in individual sites and across whole settlement patterns.

They will gain command of the methodologies appropriate to historical archaeology, in particular:
' how to interpret archaeological evidence on site, and to apply the knowledge gained to other sites;
' how to evaluate historical and literary evidence in interpreting sites and the possible conflict between textual and archaeological evidence.

Additional outcomes:
' demonstrate their understanding of a particular aspect of archaeology in its historical
context.

Outline content:

An intensive course on Prehistoric, Classical, and Roman Greece with specialist lectures, guided site visits (often conducted by those responsible for the site or excavation) and opportunities to gain first-hand experience of objects and monuments not accessible to the individual traveller, and to undertake projects of students' own (approved) choice. Sites studied may include Prehistoric and Early Iron Age: Athens, Eleusis, Mycenae, Olympia and Tiryns. Archaic, Classical,and Hellenistic: Argive Heraion, Athens (Acropolis, Agora, Kerameikos), Piraeus, Brauron, Corinth, Delphi, Eleusis, Oropos, Epidauros, Messene, Olympia, Sounion, Sparta, Rhamnous, Thorikos, Bassai. Roman: Athens (Roman Agora, Library of Hadrian, Acropolis South Slope, Hadrian’s Arch, Temple of Olympian Zeus), Corinth, Eleusis, Oropos, Messene, Sparta. Museums which may be visited at Athens: National Museum, Acropolis Museum, Agora Museum, Epigraphic Museum, Kerameikos Museum, Piraeus Museum. Museums which may be visited outside Athens: Brauron, Corinth, Delphi, Eleusis, Epidauros, Nafplion, Mycenae, Olympia. This is an indicative list and not all sites mentioned here may be visited.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
This module is taught via a series of lectures, and on-site visits in Greece over a three week period in the preceding Part 2 summer vacation. It includes approximately 150 hours site visits or trips and 9 hours of introductory lectures, plus 10 hours study in a specialist library.
This module assumes some knowledge of Ancient Greece.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	9
External visits	150
Guided independent study:	41
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:

Two 2,000 word essays chosen according to individual interests, with advice and approval by the BSA module tutor. The topic selected must (1) include reference to the environment and topography appropriate to the selected site(s) or monument; (2) consider the historical significance of the site(s) or monument(s) selected; (3) employ material evidence studied on site or in a museum as part of the analysis. Deadline: Essay 1 is due by 12 noon on Friday of week 3 Autumn term and Essay 2 by 12 noon on Friday week 10 of Autumn term following participation in the module.

Formative assessment methods:
Listed under Autumn term above are the 150 hours site visits or trips and 9 hours of introductory lectures, plus 10 hours study in a specialist library which occur in the preceding Part 2 Summer vacation.

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:
Resubmission in August.

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