Advanced Research Seminar in Ancient History

Module overview

Within this module, you will have the opportunity to study different areas of ancient history. This will take place in student-led discussions, which are convened and supported by historians with experience in ancient history in varied forms. You will identify themes and subjects worthy of further analysis and discussion, with guidance and support from staff. As a group, you will work collaboratively to identify areas of particular interest, formulate reading lists, and determine research questions, all with the support of academics. This is with the expectation that these discussions and studies will enable you to undertake independent research at the cutting edge of ancient historiography and methodology.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

a wide variety of secondary source material relating to ancient history, including theoretical frameworks used in the field.
the history of the ancient world, in particular the different approaches taken by historians to ancient history.
a wide variety of primary sources relating to ancient history.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

use to good effect textual, visual and material culture sources, synthesising this material to develop cogent and persuasive arguments.
utilise and develop your time-management skills.
research complex historical questions and communicate your findings convincingly and concisely in written assignments.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

engage with historiography and theoretical frameworks, contributing to the debates relating to ancient history and its relationship to the wider world.
undertake a thorough critical analysis and assessment of a variety of textual, visual and material culture sources.
apply your developed knowledge of the ancient world, structuring your ideas and research findings into well-ordered written assignments.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include seminars. Learning methods include close analysis of a range of primary sources and discussion of key themes and ideas.

Study time
Type	Hours
Preparation for scheduled sessions	50
Seminar	24
Wider reading or practice	26
Completion of assessment task	50
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Lenski, N. (2002). Failure of Empire. Valens and the Roman State in the Fourth Century A.D.. Berkeley.

Nathan, G. S. (2000). The Family in Late Antiquity: The Rise and Christianity and the Endurance of Tradition.

Watts, E. J. (2015). The Final Pagan Generation.. Berkeley.

Galinsky, K. (2005). The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Augustus.. Cambridge..

Hunt, P. (2018). Ancient Greek and Roman Slavery.. Malden, MA..

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Written assignment	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Resubmit assessments	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Written assignment	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External