Aims

The purpose of this module is to introduce students in the BA with Honours in Ancient History to more detailed work on particular aspects and problems of ancient history. It is designed to illustrate the ways of approaching and researching problems in ancient history. The problems chosen are from the general areas of the lecturers' research interests. In particular the aim is to concentrate on methods and the ways of exploiting different kinds of evidence. The essays which form the assessment enable you to carry out your own research in these areas.

This module aims to provide an opportunity of investigating in some depth selected problems, including the appraisal of selected source material and the critical examination of current historiography.

Outline Of Syllabus

In a typical year the module might be based around the exploration of such key issues as:

Inscriptions (e.g. approaches to the interpretation of epigraphic evidence)

Written records, such as papyri and writing tablets (eg documents on Roman history, Vindolanda Tablets)

Religion and Roman History (e.g. The trial and execution of Jesus, Judea as a Roman province)

Greeks and non-Greeks (e.g. Herodotus and the 'Other'; Greeks and Barbarians)

Assessment is by 2 x 50% essay, submitting two essays of 1,750 words each.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures impart core knowledge via expert orientation and exposition of a broad range of themes and issues, with opportunities for dialogue, while also stimulating development of independent research and note-taking skills.

Seminars allow students to develop their grasp of specific aspects of the historical themes and issues and to practice and improve their communication skills.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.

All of the assessments for this module will be submitted and marked online.

This module can be made available to Erasmus students only with the agreement of the Head of Subject and of the Module Leader. This option must be discussed in person at the beginning of your exchange period. No restrictions apply to study-abroad, exchange and Loyola students.

Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending semester 1 only are required to finish their assessment while in Newcastle. Where an exam is present, an alternative form of assessment will be set and where coursework is present, an alternative deadline will be set. Details of the alternative assessment will be provided by the module leader.