Aims

This module aims to:
Provide an opportunity to acquire a sound general knowledge of the Mediterranean history, reading widely and critically in the primary and secondary literature associated with it.
Examine the history of Mediterranean as a highly integrated yet varied space.
Provide an opportunity to investigate in depth selected historical themes on the history of the Mediterranean from an interdisciplinary perspective and across conventional periodization.
Examine and evaluate a range of historical perspectives and develop the capacity for independent study.

Outline Of Syllabus

The following is a guide to the topics of the seminar discussion (actual topics may differ from those listed):
1. Ancient diasporas
2. Our sea
3. Waters between
4. Mediterranean Worlds
5. Routes east and west
6. Frontier
7. On tour
8. Corrupting sea
9. Global pond
10. Against all fundamentalisms

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Seminars encourage independent study and promote improvements in oral communication, problem-solving skills and adaptability.
Seminar discussions require students to articulate and respond to ideas and questions, as well as develop further the knowledge and understanding acquired through set reading.
The investigation of a wide range of source material and scholarship guides students in exploring and comparing these resources, developing skills in applying key concepts and ideas in the historiography of the Mediterranean.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Submitted Work tests knowledge outcomes and develops skills in research, reading and writing. The assessments require students to draw on the broad knowledge of Mediterranean history they have acquired in the course of the module.

The Formative assessment written exercise tests students' ability to select and organise materials for a piece of extended writing, practicing skills in time and project management.

The 2,500 word primary-source based thematic essay tests students’ ability to conduct independent research, relate primary source documents to each other, formulate an interpretation of evidence, and write in clear academic language.

Primary source analyses test students' ability to engage closely with primary sources, assessing issues such as authorship, genre, context, style, and usefulness to the historian. This develops the ability to expound and critique a text lucidly in relation to a specific theme or aspect of Mediterranean history.

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.

All Erasmus students at Newcastle University are expected to do the same assessment as students registered for a degree.

Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending semester 1 only are required to finish their assessment while in Newcastle. This will take the form of an alternative assessment, as outlined in the formats below:
Modules assessed by Coursework and Exam:
The normal alternative form of assessment for all semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be one essay in addition to the other coursework assessment (the length of the essay should be adjusted in order to comply with the assessment tariff); to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.
Modules assessed by Exam only:
The normal alternative form of assessment for all semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be two 2,000 word written exercises; to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.
Modules assessed by Coursework only:
All semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be expected to complete the standard assessment for the module; to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.

Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending the whole academic year or semester 2 are required to complete the standard assessment as set out in the MOF under all circumstances.