Aims

This course examines the archaeology of the Roman Empire from Augustus to Justinian. It spans a period that saw high drama and rapid change for many of the peoples of Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor and the Near East. The different and unequal ways that the imperial authorities and local populations adapted to one another are manifested in a plethora of settings, from epic monuments to humble homes, and from rich graves to rubbish pits. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the landscapes, buildings and artefacts of the Empire, while at the same time revealing the important role of regions far beyond Rome in generating new forms, styles and ideas.

Outline Of Syllabus

In order to give participants a deeper insight into the temporal change in the Roman world, each week explores a different theme with cases studies from Augustus to the Tetrarchy (with Prof Haynes) and from Constantine to Justinian (with Dr Jackson). Themes include power, patronage and the emperors, urbanism, the military, religion and ritual, leisure and entertainment, palaces and private homes, and the economy. At all times students will be invited to explore both those elements that served to bind the empire together, and those that contributed to enduring and emerging regional and provincial cultures. As an archaeology module, this course emphasises the contribution of material culture to our understanding of daily life in the Roman Empire. Practical sessions, including coin handling, the reading of inscriptions and one site visit are included.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The programme combines lectures, seminars, practical (object handling) sessions and site visits to develop student familiarity with both synthetic analysis and raw material for the study of the Roman Empire. Particular emphasis will be placed on fostering basic finds handling skills.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Examination examines conceptual understanding through 2 essays (selected from six questions), 1 further essay and technical knowledge of Roman administrative machinery through short multiple choice section (25 questions).
Knowledge outcomes 1, 3 & 4.

The Project aims to assess knowledge outcomes 1, 2, 3 & 4. It aims to familiarise students with the unity and diversity of the Roman Empire through project work on themes of their own choice drawing specific regional case studies.

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.