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2009/10 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
CLAS3930 The Age of Augustus
20 creditsClass Size: 70
Module manager: Dr Penelope J Goodman
Email: P.J.Goodman@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2009/10
This module is approved as an Elective
Module summary
This module explores a pivotal episode in Roman political and social history: the c. 60-year period between the death of Julius Caesar and the accession of Rome's second emperor, Tiberius. During this era, Rome underwent a profound political transformation, exchanging an increasingly beleaguered Republican system for a system of rule by emperor - the principate - which would last for the next four centuries. At the same time, the social and cultural world of Rome was also revolutionised, witnessing the emergence of a new social hierarchy, new forms and uses of art, architecture and literature, and new religious and cultural experiences. The module will investigate the relationship between the political and social developments of the age, and between the individual figure of Augustus and the wider world in which he was operating, asking to what extent, and how, they were linked. It will also consider the impact of later political regimes, such as Augustus's successors to the imperial throne or the Italian dictator Mussolini, on our perceptions of the Augustan era.The lectures for this module will introduce Augustus himself as a political figure, tracing his impact on the Roman constitution and setting his career in the context of contemporary social and cultural developments.Lectures will be supported by a series of seminars, offering students the opportunity to explore key topics for themselves, especially through the direct analysis of primary evidence.As part of both the learning process and the formal assessment for the course, students will be expected to contribute to online discussions hosted via message boards on the Portal website and moderated by the module coordinator.For further information, visit us at the Electives Fair or contact the Department of Classics, situated on the first floor of the Parkinson Building, south end (email: classics@leeds.ac.uk; website: www.leeds.ac.uk/classics/; telephone: 0113 343 3537).Objectives
On successful completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:- discuss, both orally and in writing, the major social and political developments of the Augustan era in Rome and in the provinces.
- understand the links between the political changes at Rome during this period and wider changes in art, architecture, literature and the culture of the provinces.
- identify and successfully analyse a wide range of different types of primary evidence (e.g. literature, epigraphy, coinage, art, architecture, etc.) relevant to understanding the changes which occurred during the Augustan era.
Learning outcomes
Students completing this module are expected to have acquired:
- a knowledge of the major political events and figures of the Augustan era.
- a knowledge of the period's major social and cultural developments.
- a familiarity with the primary evidence normally used to explore both.
- 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 a range of subject-specific skills, including an ability to analyse critically various forms of primary evidence and relate them to each other where appropriate.
- demonstrate a range of transferable skills, including written expression, oral debating skills, the organisation of personal study, and IT skills.
Syllabus
This module explores a pivotal episode in Roman political and social history: the c. 60-year period between the death of Julius Caesar and the accession of Rome's second emperor, Tiberius. During this era, Rome underwent a profound political transformation, exchanging an increasingly beleaguered Republican system for a system of rule by emperor - the principate - which would last for the next three centuries. At the same time, the social and cultural world of Rome was also revolutionised, witnessing the emergence of a new social hierarchy, new forms and uses of art, architecture and literature, and new religious and cultural experiences. The module will investigate the relationship between the political and social developments of the age, and between the individual figure of Augustus and the wider world in which he was operating, asking to what extent, and how, they were linked. It will also consider the responses of later periods to the figure of Augustus, and the significance which he holds today.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
| Private study hours | 180.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
Private reading per lecture = 4 hours x 20 = 80 hoursOnline discussions = 1 hour per week = 1 x 20 = 20 hours
Essay (40%) = 50 hours
Exam (40%) = 28.5 hours revision plus 1.5 hours in the exam = 30 hours
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Student progress will be monitored:- at an informal level, through lectures, seminar contributions, moderating of online discussions by the module coordinator and a detailed module questionnaire
- at a formal level, through the assessed coursework and end-of-module examination.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | Between 2,000 and 3,000 words. | 40.00 |
| Computer Exercise | Participation in online discussion. Students required to ask one question per week and answer two. | 20.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 60.00 | |
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) | 1 hr 30 mins | 40.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 40.00 | |
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 websiteLast updated: 12/05/2010
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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