CAC2001 : Researching the Classics
- Offered for Year: 2019/20
- Module Leader(s): Dr Thomas Rütten
- Lecturer: Dr Claire Stocks, Professor Jakob Wisse, Dr Stephanie Holton
- Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
This module is designed both as a ‘training module’ to prepare students for independent study and research on aspects of the classical world, and as an opportunity to be introduced to, and to read and study for themselves, some key literary texts from the classical Greek and Roman world which they may not otherwise have the opportunity to study in depth within the taught syllabus.
This module aims to:
• Provide training for students in the skills necessary for undertaking independent study/research in Classical literature and culture, particularly as required for the Stage 3 compulsory (Q810) or optional (Q800, Y001) dissertation/special study Classics modules;
• Introduce students to, and give them the opportunity to study, a range of key literary texts from the classical world.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module involves studying four texts (or sets of texts) from classical Greek and Latin literature with a view to developing skills associated with independent study and research. Lectures will use the texts to focus on skills and approaches. A series of written assignments will allow students to practise the skills that they have learnt.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 44 | 1:00 | 44:00 | 25% of guided independent study |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 44 | 1:00 | 44:00 | 25% of guided independent study |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 44 | 1:00 | 44:00 | 25% of guided independent study |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 44 | 1:00 | 44:00 | 25% of guided independent study |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures introduce the texts to be studied, some of the research problems they involve, and possible lines of approach to these; and they introduce and demonstrate a range of the most important skills for independent study and research. Workshops (1 per student on each set of texts/skill) provide the students with the opportunity to practise one or more of those skills on the texts. In private study, students apply the skills introduced to further research on and analysis of the texts for themselves.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 50 | 8 x assignments in semester 1 with the 6 highest marks counting towards final mark |
| Essay | 2 | M | 30 | Assessed assignment 2 (2,000 words); the word-limit includes footnotes and appendixes, but not bibliography |
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 20 | 2 x assignments in semester 2 each worth 10% |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Students submit written assignments on their set texts, requiring them to apply cumulatively the relevant research skills taught in each semester. This enables them gradually to develop and hone the requisite skills while applying them to specific classical texts.
Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.
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
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CAC2001's Timetable