CL1PP: The Past in the Present

Module code: CL1PP

Module provider: Classics; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Amy Smith, email: a.c.smith@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The material remains of past civilisations are the most important sources for our understanding of ancient peoples’ lives. This module introduces students to the ways in which museum displays and exhibitions encourage contemporary audiences to engage with the richness of the ancient world and its relevance to the modern world.

This module aims to equip students with the research skills to critically engage with the material remains of the ancient Mediterranean, enquire about various aspects of antiquity, produce their own analyses based on material evidence, and articulate their ideas through a range of media. The students will also develop the skills required to interpreting ancient artefacts in their socio-historical context.

Through planning their engagement with museums, and specifically the Ure Museum, selecting objects for study, and planning their own projects, students will develop independent thinking and learn a variety of approaches to learning. Embedding practice into their learning experience will enable students to apply their knowledge to plan their projects, honing time management and data organisation skills. The development of their own independent projects will also enhance their learning through enquiry, which will support them in making decisions, developing their own approaches, and owning the concepts and practices being taught.

They will enhance oral, written, digital, and creative communication skills through seminar discussions, keeping a log of their work, and preparing a final presentation of their own design.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate knowledge of theories and practices informing the interpretation of ancient material culture;
2. Make clear and concise observations and analyses of museum displays and ancient material culture;
3. Enquire about the relevance of artefacts to ancient socio-historical contexts and modern phenomena;
4. Produce authentic outputs using a range of media to consolidate their understanding and articulate their own ideas upon reflection on what they have learned. 

Module content

The module will explore the value of material culture for our understanding and knowledge of antiquity, while drawing links with the modern world. It will begin with an introduction to the variety and diverse material culture, focusing on their proper approach, examination, and use for enriching existing theories, reflecting on existing knowledge, or forming new ideas about the ancient world. The module will introduce students to the proper ways of handling objects, familiarising them with both the theoretical and the practical knowledge required for their conservation, their display, and engagement of different audiences, not least through creative and digital media. We will consider contemporary issues regarding collections histories and museum ethics. How can a better understanding of antiquity help us to understand our world? Students will have the opportunity to consider careers in the Museum, Collection, or Archives sectors. They will also be encouraged to express themselves through the creation of various media in an attempt to comment on objects, make video commentaries, online or small exhibitions, etc. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures will give an introduction to the theoretical and historical background of material culture and museum studies as they relate to studies of the ancient Mediterranean. A seminar will familiarise students with the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology and the handling of ancient materials. Workshops will provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge to coursework tasks and in supervised sessions to seek feedback and/or interact with others in their work. 

Students will be responsible for the management of their own assignments. An enquiry-based learning structure will support students as they undertake research on weekly assignments. At they end of term they will submit for assessment a reflective journal encompassing their work on these assignments and their learning trajectory. Each student will create a presentation (possible outputs might be: poster, video, web exhibit, animation, etc.) on a particular theme/group of artefacts. 

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs