| Unit name | Roman Revolutions |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CLAS10072 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Edwin Shaw |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None. |
| School/department | Department of Classics & Ancient History |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
This unit examines in detail a key period in Roman history: from the city’s entry onto the Mediterranean stage in the mid-third century BCE to the development of a new form of government under Augustus (late first century BCE - early first century CE). This period saw the massive expansion of Rome’s empire across the Mediterranean world and beyond, but also an increasing pitch of political conflict and the eventual sweeping away of Rome’s Republican political system in favour of autocracy; it also saw sustained social, economic and cultural change driven by Rome’s expansion. In this unit we will examine the various historical shifts (“revolutions”) of this period, considering questions of historical causation and explanation as well as assessing some of the extensive scholarly debates on these issues. We will also make close reference to the available primary sources for the period, both literary texts and other kinds of evidence, and issues of their interpretation.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit builds on and complements other historically focused units in the programme, by offering a particular “test case” of historical change and explanation; it will also help you to develop skills in source analysis and historical interpretation. Since this period is also central in the development of Roman culture (with for example many of the most important and widely studied works of Latin literature dating to this period), this unit also contextualises many other aspects of the Roman world studied elsewhere in the programme.
An overview of content
We will cover the central narrative of Roman history in this period, emphasising the theme of imperial expansion and its political, social, and cultural consequences. After briefly setting out the context of the earliest period of Roman history, we will pick up from the point of Rome’s intrusion into the established Hellenistic balance of power, with the Punic Wars. We will then trace the emergence and development of Rome’s empire, and its various effects on Roman society; in particular, we will consider the political changes catalysed by imperial expansion, and the civil conflicts of the first century BCE. Throughout, we will pay close attention to issues of how we actually go about reconstructing the complex history of this period, including in particular reading a variety of relevant and important primary sources.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
You will have developed a good knowledge of a central period of ancient history, and begun to familiarise yourself with academic debates on the subject. You will have developed key skills as an ancient historian, including familiarising yourself with some major primary sources for Roman history in this period and issues around their interpretation: you will have built your confidence in engaging with these primary materials. You will also have developed a good sense of the complexities of ancient historical scholarship, and the challenges and opportunities involved in studying it.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
This unit will involve a combination of independent investigative activities, long- and short-form lectures, and discussion. Students will be expected to engage with materials and participate on a weekly basis. Feedback will be provided for both formative and summative assessments, and this will be supported by meetings with tutors.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Source analysis, 500 words (20%) [ILOs 2, 4, 5]
Essay, 2,000 words (80%) [ILOs 1-5]
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CLAS10072).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
