CL3GD-Gender in Classical Antiquity

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Ms Summer Courts
Email: s.courts@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
A module which studies the construction of gender relations in ancient Greece and Rome.

Aims:

• To offer students a discussion of the ways in which gender relations were constructed in the literature, art, culture and institutions of ancient Greece and Rome, , and of the impact of such constructions on ideas about gender in the modern world


• To consider how ancient and modern constructions of gender have interacted with those of sexuality


• To provide students with an analysis of the main sources available for the study of gender in ancient societies.


• To investigate the theoretical and political assumptions which inform the study of gender.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, students are expected to:

• use and assess a variety of evidence in order to illustrate how gender was defined and debated in ancient societies;


• relate the study of gender in ancient societies to contemporary debates about gender, feminism, sexual and cultural diversity;


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


• articulate their arguments effectively and illustrate them with relevant evidence. 

Additional outcomes:
Students will develop oral presentation and group skills, as well as IT skills.

Outline content:
Study of relevant literature, art, culture and institutions of the ancient societies.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching will proceed via seminars, with two contact hours a week. Preparatory reading will be mandatory for every session.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	20
Guided independent study:	180
Total hours by term		0	0
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:

This module will be assessed by:

(1) EITHER One critical comparison of passages from two different ancient sources, chosen by the student. 

OR One book review of a work of modern scholarship on that engages with the themes and topics of the module.

This assignment will be 1500 - 2000 words long and is due in by 12 noon on Monday of week 7 of the teaching term (40%);

(2) EITHER One essay of 3000-3500 words on a topic chosen by the student and approved by the module convenor before the end of the term in which the module is taught

OR One piece of original creative writing, such as a short story or dialogue, which engages with themes and topics relevant to the module. The creative piece should have a maximum length of 2500 words. It must be accompanied by a reflective commentary on the creative work, with maximum length of 1500 words. The combined length of both pieces, which should be submitted together as a portfolio, must be 3000 – 3500 words.

This assignment is due in by 12 noon on the first day of the second week of the term subsequent to the teaching term (60%). 

Formative assessment methods:
Regular seminars will provide an opportunity for students to test out and receive feedback upon their ideas and interpretations. Students will also have a one to one meeting about their coursework plans in the second half of term.

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%

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-submission in August

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 10 October 2023