ATS4345 - Research methods in classical antiquity - 2019

The unit examines a variety of methodological approaches to studying the ancient world - Greek city-states, the Hellenistic Kingdoms, and the Roman Empire. Students gain experience working with various tools - historiography, numismatics, epigraphy, papyrology, and the study of material remains. This unit is organised around a series of case studies. These can include aspects of the Athenian Empire, Alexander the Great's death and burial, and the status of Christians in Rome under the emperor Nero.

Upon successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:

1. apply appropriate methods of analysis to a wide range of written evidence from the ancient world, including literature, coins, inscriptions, papyri, and graffiti;
2. evaluate and contextualise literary and documentary evidence from the ancient classical world, and apply that evidence to the reconstruction of the past;
3. identify and apply different historiographical approaches to authors and written evidence from the ancient world;
4. present research orally to an academic audience;
5. produce a sustained piece of written research using a variety of source material, especially ancient written evidence.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 288 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information