Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) Ancient Medicine
| Module title | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) Ancient Medicine |
|---|---|
| Module code | CLA1307 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr David Leith (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
Module description
In this module, you will be introduced to the medical practices and practitioners of the Greek and Roman worlds, ranging from the fifth century BC to the second century AD. As well as examining the medical texts themselves, you will also examine literary and non-literary sources of medical content. You will work through key topics such as ancient medicine before Hippocrates, the Hippocratic Corpus, and the work, impact and influence of Galen. You will be encouraged to engage with the texts to understand and appreciate the diverse range of medical art. You will consider the extent to which the social and cultural environment of Greece and Rome impact the role of the healer and vice versa.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aims of the module are:
- To work through a representative sampling of set medical texts, including the authors of the Hippocratic Collection, the medical works of A. Cornelius Celsus, Soranus, and Galen.
- To evaluate others, such as midwives, oculist and herbalists, who formed part of the mainstay of the art of medicine.
- To consider non-medical literary and non-literary sources.
- To understand and appreciate the diverse range encompassed by the medical art, and to what extent the role of the healer impacted upon, and was embedded within, the wider cultural and social environment of Greece and Rome
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a broad and detailed knowledge of the primary texts (in English translation)
- 2. Demonstrate a general understanding of the role of medicine and its impact in Greek and Roman society
- 3. Demonstrate an engagement with modern scholarship on ancient medicine
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Analyse and critically evaluate ancient texts in translation
- 5. Demonstrate advanced academic and library skills in Classics and Ancient History
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Demonstrate independent and group study skills in seminar research and presentation
- 7. Demonstrate an ability to critically select and organise relevant material
- 8. Demonstrate an ability to present a strong argument in oral or written form
- 9. Demonstrate clarity in communication
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Introducing Ancient Medicine: medicine before Hippocrates
- Hippocrates and the Hippocratic Corpus
- Hellenistic Medicine: expansion and innovation
- Greek Medicine and Rome
- Galen: work, impact and influence
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | 123 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | 11 x 2 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 5 | 5 x 1 hour seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 123 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation in seminars | Ongoing | 1-9 | Oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 100 | 2500 words | 1-5,7-8 | Mark and written comments |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay | 1-5, 7-8 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Primary reading:
- Nutton, V., Ancient Medicine, 2nd edn., Routledge, 2013.
- King, H., Greek and Roman Medicine (Classical World Series), Bristol Classical Press, 2001.
- Selections of Primary Texts will be distributed by the Module Convenor.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/07/2012 |
| Last revision date | 17/02/2021 |
