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2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CLAS3990 Edge of Empire

20 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr. Rick Jones
Email: r.f.j.jones@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This 20-credit module for Level 2/3 students is available as an discovery module and assumes no prior knowledge of the ancient world. It explores the problems of defining Roman and non-Roman at the limits of the Empire. At the heart of the module lies the question of defining cultural identities. The module will consider case studies taken from around the Empire, including the Rhineland and Scandinavia, the Danube, Africa and the more distant contacts with India and China. These will be set within a framework of such issues as imperialism, power and force, trade and exchange, settlement patterns and religious identities. The module will be assessed by short written assignments and exam.

Objectives

The module is intended to introduce students to the problems of defining the limits of Roman influence, especially under the Empire. It will familiarise students with the evidence used to study this material, and demonstrate the particular issues and problems involved in dealing with the interactions between the Roman groups and the indigenous groups beyond the frontiers and around them. Through seminars and assessed work, it will foster skills which include critical thinking, the ability to organise material and the ability to express and support ideas.

Learning outcomes
Students completing this module are expected to have acquired:
- a knowledge of major Roman frontier institutions such as the army;
- a knowledge of major patterns of contact and interaction with non-Roman communities;
- a familiarity with the different forms and perspectives of the primary evidence normally used to explore the interactions;
- an understanding of issues and problems involved in the use of that primary evidence.

Skills outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students are expected to be able to demonstrate an ability to analyse primary evidence critically and understand the biases involved in both written and archaeological sources when considering Romans and non-Romans and their interactions. They will also demonstrate a range of transferable skills, including written expression, oral debating skills, the organisation of personal study, and IT skills.

Syllabus

The module explores the problems of defining Roman and non-Roman at the limits of the Empire. At the heart of the module lies the question of defining cultural identities. The module will consider case studies taken from around the Empire, including the Rhineland and Scandinavia, the Danube, Africa and the more distant contacts with India and China. These will be set within a framework of such issues as imperialism, power and force, trade and exchange, settlement patterns and religious identities.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Class tests, exams and assessment	1	2.00	2.00
Lecture	10	2.00	20.00
Seminar	4	1.00	4.00
Private study hours			174.00
Total Contact hours			26.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

The 174 private study hours comprise of:
4 hours reading and note-taking per lecture = 80 hours
5 hours reading and preparation per semina = 20 hours
Short assignment (10%) = 10 hours reading and writing
Essay (40%) = 40 hours reading and writing
Exam (50%) = 24 hours revision

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The short written assignment gives an early opportunity for students to focus on the complexity of relating diverse kinds of evidence. The longer essay provides an opportunity to put that understanding into practice, and explore the module content in greater depth. The exam tests subject-specific knowledge and skills at the end of the module.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	Not more than 1,500 words	40.00
Assignment	other short assignment - Not more than 500 words	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 20/04/2016

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