| Unit name | Law and Order |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CLASM0046 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Emeritus Professor. Fowler |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Classics & Ancient History |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
What is justice, and how can citizens be protected from injustice? Can disputes be resolved without violence, and when must violence be used to maintain order? Who makes law, who can advise on law, and what arguments persuade judges and juries? What counts as crime and why, and who takes action to prevent it, investigate it or punish it? What is the purpose of punishment, what kind of punishment fits the crime, and when does mercy or forgiveness replace vengeance and the need for order? This unit considers the rule of law, and the interpretation of human and divine justice, in Greek and Roman society from Homer to late antiquity.
On successful completion of this unit students will have (1) developed a sophisticated knowledge and critical understanding of the rule of law in ancient Greek and Roman society; (2) in-depth and critical understanding of the interpretation of human and divine justice by different authors and in different genres; (3) sophisticated, detailed and critical understanding of the historical, literary, political and ideological contexts of these texts;(4) demonstrated the ability to identify and evaluate pertinent evidence in order to illustrate/demonstrate a cogent argument. Additionally, as part of a level M/7 unit, students will be expected to (5) display advanced level skills in evaluating, analysing, synthesising and (where apt) critiquing both primary and secondary material and ideas.
10 x 2 hour weekly seminars
Summative assessment: 1 essay of 4,000 words (100%) assessing advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the rule of law, and the interpretation of human and divine justice, in Greek and Roman society from Homer to late antiquity. The extended form of this supervised yet independent research project/essay provides the opportunity to assess the depth and detail of students’ understanding and attainment of ILOs (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) at level M/7.
Note: Whereas Level H students in the same class will be assessed by 3000 word essay (responding to questions set by the unit tutor) and 90 minute exam, in addition to the 4000 word summative essay described above, MA students will be required to formulate and develop their own short research topic relating to the theme of Law and Order, give a short (15 minute) presentation on this, and to research an appropriate 'bibliography of primary and secondary authorities'(comprising 15-20 items). One-to-one written feedback on the presentation; comments on plans and draft bibliographies for the summative essay will be provided.
Danielle Allen, The World of Prometheus: the politics of punishing in democratic Athens (2000). David Cohen, Law, Violence and Community in Classical Athens (1995). Jill Harries, Law and Empire in Late Antiquity (1999). Jill Harries, Law and Crime in the Roman World (2007). Wilfried Nippel, Public Order in Ancient Rome (1995). Andrew Riggsby, Crime and Community in Ciceronian Rome (1999).
