Unit information: Roman Imperial Culture in 2015/16

Unit name	Roman Imperial Culture
Unit code	CLAS20034
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Laura Jansen
Open unit status	Open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Classics & Ancient History
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit explores some of the most dynamic literary, artistic, and intellectual achievements of the Roman Empire. With a focus on culture as the material capital of the new empire, the unit ranges across Roman epic, elegy, tragedy and epistolary, intellectual, scientific and architectural writings, as well as visual art. It studies the relationship between texts and images in the expression of cultural values, and it examines a series of major themes in Roman views of identity, morality, politics, religion and aesthetics. The unit is meant for those who want an introduction to the cultural discourses of the Empire from Augustus onwards

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will:

1. Have developed an in depth knowledge of a range of key sources for this theme in antiquity.
2. Have developed the ability to critically analyse and make critical connections between these sources, and to situate them within their wider historical context.
3. Be able to identify, assess and apply a range of different methodological approaches to the material and be self-critical in this application.
4. Be able to use the knowledge acquired in lectures and their own researches to construct coherent, relevant and persuasive arguments on different aspects of the subject.
5. In addition students will have developed analytical skills suitable for level I as demonstrated in their formal assessments and in their participation in class discussions.

Teaching Information

Weekly 1 hour lecture + Weekly 1 hour seminar

Assessment Information

One course work essay of 2,500 words 50%; one written examination (one and a half hours) 50%. Both elements will assess ILOs 1-5.

Reading and References

Harrison S. (2005), A Companion to Latin Literature. Blackwell. Oxford

Potter D. S. (2006) (ed.), A Companion to The Roman Empire. Blackwell. Oxford

Steward, P. (2011), Statues in the Roman Society. Representation and Response. Studies

in Ancient Culture and Representation. Oxford

Taplin, O. (2001) (ed.), Literature in the Roman World: A New perspective. Oxford.

Zanker, P. (2007, 5^th edition), The Power of Images in the Age of Augustus. Michigan.