CLMOP3-Special Option 3: Study Abroad

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: CLMOP1 Special Option 1 or CLMOP2 Special Option 2
Current from: 2023/4

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

Type of module:

Summary module description:

In this module, students secure an academic Study Abroad opportunity, such as the postgraduate course of the British School of Rome (BSR).  This allows them to gain first-hand experience of living and studying in another country, and of academic activity beyond the UK.  It allows them access to ancient monuments, and/or museum collections and academic resources, which form the basis of their research for the module.

Aims:

This module aims to encourage students to broaden their academic experience with an international perspective.  Participants secure an academic Study Abroad opportunity, such as the postgraduate course of the British School of Rome (BSR).  This allows them to gain first-hand experience of living and studying in another country, and of academic activity beyond the UK.  It allows them access to ancient monuments, and/or museum collections and academic resources, which form the basis of their research for the module.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to analyse ancient monuments or artefacts studied during their time abroad; to demonstrate understanding of the historical and cultural significance of their chosen destination to the study of antiquity; to organise wide-ranging material and to articulate complex arguments effectively in writing in assessed essays, and orally in seminar discussions and site presentations.

Additional outcomes:

The module also aims to develop the student's skills of time management, oral communication and presentation, and use of IT.

Outline content:

Students will secure, during the autumn term, a suitable Study Abroad opportunity in consultation with the Programme Director.  The Study Abroad should take place during the spring term, or, in the case of the BSR postgraduate course, in the summer term.

They are free to investigate options suited to their own academic interests; however, an especially appropriate option is the BSR postgraduate course.  This involves guided site visits, requiring student preparation in advance, and the attendance of lectures and seminars organised by the School. Students have a major topic for study agreed with the Programme Director in the home institution, on which they present a seminar while in Rome.

In cases where an alternative Study Abroad opportunity is found and approved, the content will be different; however, it must be of commensurate academic weight and rigour.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Contact Hours:

Please note: Precise contact hours will depend on the nature of the Study Abroad undertaken.  In addition, the BSR postgraduate course runs in the summer term.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		6
Seminars		6
External visits		100
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		100
Wider reading (directed)		50
Preparation for seminars		50
Essay preparation		88
Total hours by term	0		0
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	70
Oral assessment and presentation	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The module is assessed through two components:

1. An oral presentation worth 30% of the module mark.  For students taking the BSR postgraduate course, this will be delivered while in Rome, under the aegis of the School.  For students taking an alternative Study Abroad option in the Spring term, the presentation will be delivered at the MA Colloquium in the summer term and should be on a topic researched during the Study Abroad.


2. An essay of 5,000 words on a topic researched during the Study Abroad.  This should be submitted by 12 noon on the first day of the summer term, unless the student has taken the BSR postgraduate course, in which case the essay should be completed by the end of the course.

Formative assessment methods:

Students may be asked to prepare formative oral presentations, depending on the nature of the Study Abroad undertaken.

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:

50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of written and oral work as agreed by Programme Director.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Please note: the figures given below are based on the costs of the BSR postgraduate course (flights, subsistence and accommodation), and other Study Abroad options will have different costs.  It is the student’s responsibility to calculate these in advance and to ensure that they can be met, although the Department may be able to offer some financial support in the form of partial bursaries.

For students taking the BSR postgraduate course, the University transfers the student’s fees to the BSR.

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:  Approx. £2,400

Last updated: 30 March 2023