Roman History: the rise and fall of the Republic

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Summary module description:
This module investigates the mid- and late Republican history of Rome (2nd century BC to late first century BC), a period marked by profound socio-political changes which ultimately led to the crisis of the Republican institutions. It introduces students to the main types of evidence for ancient history and to modern methodological approaches.

Aims:
This module aims to provide students with a general knowledge and understanding of the history of the Roman Republic from the 2nd century BC to the late 1st century BC. The module aims at introducing students to the main types of evidence for ancient history and to various modern methodologies, while developing their critical understanding of Rome?s Republican history.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:
?demonstrate good knowledge of the history and culture of the period;?
?evaluate and contextualize a variety of selected ancient material;?
?describe and analyse key issues pertaining the history of the period examined;
?locate and assemble material on the subject of study, with guidance;?
?organise materials and present effectively written arguments.
Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to encourage the development of oral communication skills and the student's effectiveness in group situations. Students are also encouraged to develop their IT skills by use of computer resources.

Outline content:
The particular focus of the module is on the circumstances leading up to the first-century BC crisis of the Republic, using texts such as Sallust?s The Conspiracy of Catiline. The course is intended to give students a thorough grounding in the political history of the Roman republic (for the period going from the 2nd century BC to the assassination of Caesar in 44 BC), both as a self-contained objective and to prepare them for the Part 2 ancient history core module on the Roman empire. Lectures cover the history of the republican period with some thematic coverage of particular topics (e.g. literary history, warfare, society).
The topics are pursued further in seminars which focus on a close examination of the text and themes of Sallust?s The Conspiracy of Catiline, along side other relevant ancient material.
The course represents current thinking and research on the various subjects covered, introducing even those students with prior experience of classical studies to new areas and methods. At the same time, no specific knowledge is assumed as a prerequisite for this module.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will be taught by a combination of lectures and seminars.

Contact hours:
Lectures- 20
Seminars- 6
Guided idependent study- 174
Total hours by term- 200
Total hours for module- 200

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written exam- 40%
Written assignment including essay- 50%
Class test administered by school- 10%

Other information on summative assessment:
One essay of c.2,000 words, which must be submitted by 12 noon of the last Thursday of the Spring Term.

Formative assessment methods:
Formative assessment will consist of a commentary (of c.1000 words) to set passages. This will be due on the Thursday of week 5 of the Spring term.

Length of examination:
One paper of two hours.

Requirements for a pass:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August.
Coursework will be resubmitted in August.