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2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HIST1045 Empire and Aftermath: The Mediterranean World from the Second to the Eighth Centuries

20 creditsClass Size: 56

Module manager: Dr Jonathan Jarrett
Email: J.Jarrett@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module provides an introduction to the Roman Empire in its heyday, and to the ensuing period of 'Late Antiquity'. It begins with consideration of the Empire at its fullest extent under Trajan and Hadrian, and then looks at the near-collapse of the third century, followed by the restitution of the Roman World by Diocletian and Constantine. It then considers the spread of Christianity and the creation of a Christian Empire, which was immediately threatened by the upheavals caused by the arrival of the Huns in the fourth century. Having looked at the collapse of the Western Empire in the fifth century and the establishment of the so-called 'Successor States' of the Visigoths, Vandals, Ostrogoths and Franks, it examines the attempt at reconquest by Justinian. The threats posed on the one hand by the Avars and Slavs, and on the other by the Persians, form a prelude to the loss of much of the eastern Empire to the forces of Islam. The course will close with a consideration of the Pirenne thesis ('Mahomet and Charlemagne').

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Roman Empire;
- evaluate the explanations of the Fall of the Empire;
- show familiarity with the cultures of the Mediterranean, the Germanic World and the Near East in Late Antiquity;
- understand the consequences of political, economic, social and cultural change for the framework of life and the structure of society.

Syllabus

This module will cover the following topics:
1. The Empire of the Second Century
2. The Crisis of the third Century
3. The Tetrarchy and Constantine
4. The Expansion of Christianity
5. The Coming of the Barbarians
6. The Fall of the Western Empire
7. The 'Successor' States
8. Justinian's Reconquest
9. Slavs and Persians
10. The Emergence of Islam
11. The End of the Mediterranean World?

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Tutorial	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- Researching, preparing and writing assignments
- Undertaking set reading
- Self-directed reading around the topic
- Exam preparation and revision
- Consultation of VLE materials and electronic resources

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be monitored through one piece of non assessed work and through their contribution to class discussion.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2,000 word assessed essay to be submitted by 12 noon Monday of week 8	30.00
Presentation	Student participation in class discussions and presentations across the module	10.00
Assignment	2 x 1,000 word piece of written work	0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment	48 hr 00 mins	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

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: 29/04/2022 15:25:05

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