Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The aim of this module is to provide students with a broad overview of Roman history from its origins to the Arab conquests in order to give a grasp of chronology and of important themes and problems across the centuries.
The module will focus on key issues, including Rome’s expansion and decline, and cultural transformations in the Mediterranean world.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module explores the following key themes and periods:
•       the origins of Rome and the problems of using later tradition.
•       the development of the early Republic and the struggle of the orders.
•       Rome’s expansion in Italy and the Mediterranean: conquest and settlement.
•       the fall of the Roman Republic and the Augustan settlement.
•       the Hellenisation of Rome and the Romanisation of the Mediterranean.
•       the Principate from the ‘golden age’ to crisis (AD I-III).
•       Christianisation of the empire.
•       the fall of Rome and the rise of Constantinople.
•       neighbours of empire from Germans to Persians.
•       the ‘end of antiquity’.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of this module students will acquire knowledge of:
•       a chronological outline of Roman history from the 8th century BC to the 7th century AD;
•       key themes, facts and debates, including imperialism, Romanisation, and Christianisation;
•       selected primary sources in translation;
•       key modern scholarship.

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of this module students will acquire the following skills:
•       the ability to analyse key primary source material;
•       the ability to engage critically with modern debates;
•       the ability to write a reasoned argument;
•       the ability to navigate across the chronological and geographical range of Roman history.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures will provide students with core knowledge and approaches which will then be applied in the seminars in an interactive manner, by making use of key primary sources and modern scholarship.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The unseen examination tests the students' acquisition of a clear and general and overall knowledge of the subject plus the ability to think and analyse a problem quickly, to select from and to apply both the general knowledge of aspects of the subject to new questions, problem-solving skills, adaptability, the ability to work unaided and to write clearly and concisely.

The essay assignment assesses the ability to engage in depth with key primary evidence and modern scholarship and construct a reasoned argument on the basis of these.

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

General Notes

N/A