BA Ancient History and Archaeology

ARC1013: Archaeological Fieldschool

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ARC1014: Investigating Archaeology

Investigating Archaeology explains how archaeology is done. It will introduce the business of finding archaeology, whether in the form of individual sites or as interconnected landscapes, and how we then investigate archaeology through survey and excavation, including the importance of stratigraphy. After gathering data, the archaeological process progresses to the analysis of materials and evidence. The fundamentals of chronology and the use of historical, typological and scientific dating methods are an important element of the process. The investigation of biological evidence that tells us about natural as well as human environments in the past will be introduced. In-class exercises and assignments will familiarise you in more detail with some of these methods.

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ARC1011: Medieval Society to Globalisation

The module will i to the chronology of British archaeology from the medieval to modern periods, understood within its wider European and global context. It will introduce you to how archaeological evidence and approaches contribute to our understanding of life, lifestyle and landscape between c. AD 400 and the present day. The syllabus covers a wide range of different types of archaeological evidence, including excavations, settlements, buildings, fortifications, monuments, landscapes, objects, scientific samples of human and animal remains, textual references and artworks. The module also engages in aspects of historic heritage and its presentation through a case study of sites in historic Exeter.

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ARC1012: Evolution to Empire

Who are we and how did we evolve? Who made the first tools and when was the earliest art? How did complex and unequal societies develop? In this module we will chart the history of humans from our earliest Palaeolithic ancestors to the Roman Empire, including the domestication of plants and animals, the introduction of metalworking and the emergence of cities. Sessions will tack between exploring major global changes and looking in detail at how these developments played out in Britain. You will explore a range of different types of archaeological evidence, including artefacts, monuments, landscapes and settlements.

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CLA1001: Greek History: Problems and Sources

This module introduces you to the history of the Greek world from the Archaic period to the rise of Rome. You will explore who the 'Greeks' were, and how their culture came to dominate the eastern Mediterranean and beyond, as well as exploring in depth the different forms of ancient evidence that help us to reconstruct their world. This module offers an introduction not only to the political and military history of the Greek world, from the Persian Wars to the campaigns of Alexander and the eventual conquest by Rome, but also to their economic, social, religious and intellectual life.

• To provide an introduction to Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic Greek history.
• To develop an understanding, through a close study of ancient evidence and modern scholarship, of the limitations of textual evidence, as well as the general themes and problems of the periods and regions covered.

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CLA1002: Roman History: Problems and Sources

In this module you will explore Roman History from the mythologised story of the foundation of the city in 753 BCE to the end of the Roman Empire in the West over a thousand years later. In particular, you will focus on the late Republic and Principate, a time of rapid imperial expansion, violent internal conflicts and the emergence of a new political order dominated by autocratic emperors. Within a broadly chronological structure, you will explore a range of important topics and questions concerning the Roman world through critical engagement with a wide variety of ancient material and modern scholarly approaches.

This module is designed to:

• help you gain knowledge and understanding of the grand sweep of ancient Roman history from its earliest times until the end of antiquity
• provide information about important aspects of - and debates about - political, cultural, social and economic history
• enable you to develop sophisticated skills of critical analysis and historiographical methods through exposure to a variety of relevant ancient sources and modern scholarly approaches to the subject

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ARA1030: Introduction to Islamic Archaeology

In this multidisciplinary module you will be introduced to the importance of material culture as a way of understanding Muslim societies of the past, and of better understanding Islam in the present. The module aims to familiarise you with the rich diversity of Islamic culture through archaeological, historical and ethnographic evidence.

You will develop critical skills in the following areas: the theory of material culture and archaeology with particular reference to Islamic cultures; the treatment of Islam and Islamic societies within the history of art, archaeology and material cultural studies; the use ethnography as a tool of research; and the methodologies and practices of archaeology.

Beyond the use of archaeology to merely understand historical phenomena, you will be introduced to innovative approaches to the study of Islamic societies, in particular, to the combined use of textual documentation, ethnological analogies, and the archaeological record.

This multidisciplinary module is designed to introduce students to the importance of material culture as a way of understanding Muslim societies of the past, and of better understanding Islam in the present. The module aims also to familiarise students with the rich diversity of Islamic culture through archaeological, historical and ethnographic evidence.

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ARC1008: Forensic Archaeology

This module will introduce you to the way in which archaeologists are employed by law enforcement agencies to find and recover buried evidence. You will be introduced to key scientific approaches that are of common value to both traditional and forensic archaeology as well as techniques for the search, location, recovery and recording of buried forensic evidence.

The aim is to:

• Introduce you to the key scientific approaches and theories that are of common value to both traditional and forensic archaeology.
• Provide you with a good understanding of the techniques used to find, recover, record and interpret buried forensic evidence.

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ARC1040: Artefacts and Materials

This module will introduce you to the fascinating subject of material culture as applied in archaeology. Teaching is done through a combination of introductory lectures and hands-on activities. Some of the work and assignments are done as small group exercises. The module will develop your skills in recognising artefacts and materials and an understanding of how archaeologists deal with them. Along with learning about artefacts as objects you will also learn about how they were made, their place in time and how they contribute to our understanding of the past. You do not need any prior experience with these materials and the module is appropriate within interdisciplinary studies.

The module will develop skills in recognising common types of artefacts and principal categories of materials. Artefacts are a category of archaeological evidence that will be encountered in all archaeological and heritage work, and it is important to understand how to describe, draw and analyse them. The module will provide an introduction to manufacturing methods, observational recording and drawing techniques, and point towards resources for researching artefacts. Teaching will be through practical assignments and classes (including hands-on exploration of artefacts) and lectures in a variety of presentation formats.

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CLA2001: Greek History: Problems and Sources

This module introduces the history of the Greek world from the Archaic period to the rise of Rome. It explores who the 'Greeks' were, and how their culture came to dominate the eastern Mediterranean and beyond, as well as exploring in depth the different forms of ancient evidence that help us to reconstruct their world. This module offers an introduction not only to the political and military history of the Greek world, from the Persian Wars to the campaigns of Alexander and the eventual conquest by Rome, but also to their economic, social, religious and intellectual life.

• To provide an introduction to Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic Greek history.
• To develop an understanding, through a close study of ancient evidence and modern scholarship, of the limitations of textual evidence, as well as the general themes and problems of the periods and regions covered.

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CLA2002: Roman History: Problems and Sources

In this module you will explore Roman History from the mythologised story of the foundation of the city in 753 BC to the end of the Roman Empire in the West over a thousand years later. In particular, you will focus on the late Republic and Principate, a time of rapid imperial expansion, violent internal conflicts and the emergence of a new political order dominated by autocratic emperors. Within a broadly chronological structure, you will explore a range of important topics and questions concerning the Roman world through critical engagement with a wide variety of ancient material and modern scholarly approaches.

This module is designed to:

• help you gain knowledge and understanding of the grand sweep of ancient Roman history from its earliest times until the end of antiquity
• provide information about important aspects of - and debates about - political, cultural, social and economic history
• enable you to develop sophisticated skills of critical analysis and historiographical methods through exposure to a variety of relevant ancient sources and modern scholarly approaches to the subject.

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ARC2003: Archaeological Fieldwork Project

This module will enable you to put into practice the archaeological skills you have gained in your first year. You will complete at least 15 days of placement in archaeology/museum/heritage work either in the UK or abroad, allowing you to demonstrate and build on your practical competence in archaeological techniques, recording methods, collections documentation and management, and/or post-excavation work. The experience will be assessed through a host placement form, and a reflective journal about your work. This practical experience will provide invaluable employability skulls, particularly for those pursuing archaeological careers. You will develop these skills and gain a broader understanding of how archaeological research projects and consider aspects of research design.

This module aims to provide practical experience of field archaeology/museum/heritage work, giving competence in archaeological techniques, recording methods, collections documentation and/or post-excavation work. These workplace skills will be invaluable in future careers and will provide experience of archaeology both in the field and beyond (e.g. in post-excavation, conservation, public interpretation). You will consolidate methods and experience gained during the fieldschool to research, and reflect upon the work including consideration of future research plans.

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ARC2004: Archaeological Fieldschool

This module will enable you to put into practice the archaeological skills that you have gained in your first year modules. It will provide you with practical experience of field archaeology work (usually excavation and survey) on a project run by the department. As a fieldschool, the experience will include onsite training and continuous assessment of your field and general work skills, as well as the completion of a reflective journal. This practical experience will provide invaluable employability skills, particularly for those pursuing archaeological careers. You will work as part of a team on a real research project. You will develop these skills and gain a broader understanding of how archaeological research projects and consider aspects of research design.

This module aims to provide practical experience of field archaeology work, giving competence in core techniques, recording methods and interpretation. Students will gain an understanding of how methods studied at Level 1 are put into practice to meet the aims of a particular archaeological project. You will consolidate methods and experience gained during the fieldschool to research, and reflect upon the work including consideration of future research plans.

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CLA2030: Ancient World: Racecraft

How did 'race' come to be an important part of the contemporary world? Has race always been a criterion for categorising people and organising social difference, as it is now? Questions of this kind will be at the core of this module which will look at how social difference was organised in ancient worlds. If we take our jumping off point that Greeks and Romans did not have a concept of race that maps neatly onto our notions of race, how did they organise social difference? And - where did ideas about race come from if the Greeks and Romans thought so differently about it? To answer these questions, youwill look at ancient and modern ideas together in order to appreciate that race is neither a fixed or nor timeless way of categorising and making hierarchies between people. Instead, race is 'crafted' (as argued by sociologists Karen and Barbara Fields). You will be thinking about race in the ancient world as crafted in particular ways to support modern ideas about whiteness, empire, and civilisation.

No prior skills, knowledge or experience are required to take this module, only willingness to examine its origins and effects with curiosity and a sensitivity to others' lived and ongoing experiences of racism. This module is suitable for non-specialist students, and is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways: joint honours students are warmly welcome.

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CLA2031: Text and Context: Women in Homer

This module enables you to explore the roles of women in the Homeric epics, alongside investigation of the latest scientific and archaeological discoveries unearthing the real experiences of women in the Late Bronze Age, which might have informed the Homeric poems. We will ask questions like: why has the Iliad often been thought as 'all about men'? Why does the Odyssey start with a woman being told to shut up? Is there a way that we can read women back into Homer? And how might discoveries in archaeology and science shed new light on the experiences of women - and make us read these texts in a different way?

The aims of the module are:

• To enable you to explore the many different roles played by women in the Homeric poems, and to unpack how setting these alongside the historical experiences of women in the Late Bronze Age can change and shape the way we think about Homer - as well as the importance of women, both narratively and historically.
• To enable you to analyse the Homeric epics within their ancient literary, historical and cultural context, and - at the same time - to critically examine how contemporary concerns and theoretical approaches can change the way we understand the past.

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CLA2035: Roman Death and Commemoration

This module explores how people in the Roman world considered the fundamental and ever-present questions surrounding death and commemoration. By interpreting a wide range of sources including inscribed monuments, grave goods and literary texts, you will examine how Roman society treated and remembered its dead. You will focus not only on topics including burial and cremation practices, funerary portraiture, the composition and display of epitaphs, and regional patterns of commemoration, but also on how social inequalities affected the ways in which people are represented and under-represented in our source materials. You will also look at how aspects of Roman commemorative practices resonate in the modern day. All texts will be studied in translation and no prior knowledge is required.

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CLA2202: Classical Language and Texts: Greek II

This module will build on your knowledge of Greek from Greek level I or equivalent. You will learn to read and understand unadapted passages from Greek texts, without assistance. You will also complete some English to Greek work. You will be taught to use grammatical aids which will enable you to follow linguistic structures to help you to solve problems of syntax and grammatical structure. You will have regular practice at translating text and will be assessed through the year. This module will prepare you for higher level Greek classes at stage 3.

The aims of the module are:

• To develop your linguistic confidence.
• To develop your ability to read extracts without adaptation from the most important and influential Greek authors.

To encourage you to appreciate the style of different authors and the relationship between language and literary content.

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CLA2205: Classical Language and Texts: Greek IV

This module offers you the opportunity to really get to grips with Greek literature in the original language. By reading a themed selection of texts within their historical, intellectual and literary-cultural contexts, as well as engaging with modern interpretations of these works, you will broaden your knowledge of Greek literature, develop sophisticated skills of literary analysis and enhance your understanding of the Greek language. At the end of the year, you will have gained an appreciation for the subtleties of literary texts and will be able to regard yourself as 'reading', rather than 'translating' classical literature. The module will therefore be an excellent way to round off your study of Greek literature if you are finishing at this point, as well as providing vital preparation for those who will be going on to take Greek V.

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CLA2252: Classical Language and Texts: Latin II

This module will build on your knowledge of Latin from Latin level I or equivalent (e.g. GCSE). You will learn independently to read and understand passages without adaption from Latin texts. You will be introduced to grammar and syntax not covered at previous levels of study. Texts will be chosen from various authors of prose and poetry to encourage you to appreciate the style of different authors and the relationship between language and literary content. Building on developing your knowledge of Latin grammar and syntax, study of language and literature will progressively be introduced as your confidence increases.

The aims of the module are:

• To develop your linguistic confidence
• To develop your ability to read extracts without adaptation from the most important and influential Latin authors.
• To encourage you to appreciate the style of different authors and the relationship between language and literary content.

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CLA2254: Classical Language and Texts: Latin IV

This module offers you the opportunity to really get to grips with Latin literature in the original language. By reading a themed selection of texts within their historical, intellectual and literary-cultural contexts, as well as engaging with modern interpretations of these works, you will broaden your knowledge of Latin literature, develop sophisticated skills of literary analysis and enhance your understanding of the Latin language. At the end of the year, you will have gained an appreciation for the subtleties of literary texts and will be able to regard yourself as 'reading', rather than 'translating' classical literature. The module will therefore be an excellent way to round off your study of Latin literature if you are finishing at this point, as well as providing vital preparation for those who will be going on to take Latin V.

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CLA2301: Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Tyranny

The word 'tyranny' means something quite different today than it did in the ancient world, where it was the name given to the form of monarchy established in many Greek states in the 7th and 6th centuries BCE. Tyranny was not a special form of constitution, or necessarily a reign of terror; the tyrant might either rule directly or retain existing political institutions but exercise a greater influence over their working, and his rule might be benevolent or malevolent. This module will explore the ways in which autocratic power was understood and discussed by different Greek authors and their successors, and the challenges involved in trying to reconstruct the historical reality and significance of tyranny.

The aims of the module are:

• To engage in in-depth thinking about the literary sources for archaic tyranny
• To illustrate the advantages and limitations of textual evidence for understanding the ancient world and the archaic period in particular

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CLA2354: Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Brave New Rome of Augustus

The Augustan Age is seen as one of the turning points in the history of Rome, Italy and the Ancient Mediterranean, embodying tradition and innovation, continuity and novelty. Yet the great building programs that transformed Rome into an imperial capital, were not always celebrated but criticised and feared for what they represented - tyranny. In this module you will consider the visual and architectural language that was developed as a tool of power. We will read the tremendous wealth of evidence against the grain - along with the silences - to uncover multiple histories of the age, whether in monuments, engravings, poetry, or political writings.

• You will consider: What models are drawn on to create the new capital city worthy of empire? How is the art and architecture used to rewrite history and bring in new ideals where gods mingle with mortals and myth becomes reality? Can we begin to understand the effect of the new structures on the Roman population? How did the building programme refocus the centres of activity and redirect the movement and gaze of the city? In what sense is the building programme innovative and to what extent is it simply mirroring trends of other great cities with similar types of rule? Is it a monument to immortality?
• This module also provides an introduction into how to use and analyse visual and material evidence as a historical source, drawing on key texts, including poetry and the Res Gestae.
• You will engage in in-depth thinking into the underlying aims of and influences on the building programme, the monuments and art of Augustan Rome.

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CLA2405: Text and Context: Roman Laughter

What made the Romans laugh? What were the limits of Roman humour? What does this reveal about Roman culture and society? This module addresses some of the key issues of the politics and poetics of Roman humour. It is concerned with the way the Romans employed wit, satire and irony for comment, criticism and deconstruction, as well as a powerful weapon in their rhetorical battles. We will consider a range of materials, from the poems of Catullus, to the fables of Phaedrus, to non-elite art. Ultimately, we will address whether the humour that seems to turn everything on its head seeks to subvert or reinforce prevailing power structures.

You will learn how to analyse and critically evaluate texts from a range of genres and how to relate their style and content to the wider context of Roman literary culture and society In considering what we can learn about the Romans from their use of humour, you will also be encouraged to think about uses of humour in the modern world and the socio-cultural insights that can be gleaned from thinking about what makes us laugh.

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CLA2508: Ancient World: Roman Philosophy

This module aims to offer a chance for students from various backgrounds to explore a period of philosophy that is less often studied than Greek philosophy but which is rich in its intellectual and cultural interest. It shows how Roman Philosophy emerged against the background of later Greek (Hellenistic) Philosophy and how Roman thinkers gave a distinctive character to philosophical thought. It also offers you the chance to explore fundamental philosophical questions about human values and happiness, ethics and nature, mind and body, death and the gods, as these are treated by important Roman thinkers such as Lucretius, Cicero, and Marcus Aurelius.

The aim of this module is to:

• Examine a range of central philosophical questions debated in Roman philosophy and to set these debates against the background of later Greek (Hellenistic) thought, which strongly influenced Roman thought.
• Explore contrasting approaches of two leading philosophical movements in this period - Epicureanism and Stoicism - whose ideas are still relevant and significant today.
• Cover a range of topics that includes ethics (virtues and values), mind-body relationships, the nature of death, and the nature of the gods, through a set of readings by major Roman authors, especially Cicero, Lucretius and Marcus Aurelius.
• Engage with the philosophical questions conveyed in these readings and to become thoughtful and critical readers of a range of stimulating texts in Roman culture.

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HAS3999: Study Abroad

The Study Abroad programme enables you to undertake a year-long study placement at a partner university outside of the UK, as part of your degree programme.

This module serves as the administrative mechanism for recording the Study Abroad assessment results of students within the Faculty of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS). Students participating in the Study Abroad programme and based in a HASS department (except for the Law School, the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, Modern Languages, and the School of Education) will be registered on this module during their Study Abroad placement year.

The Study Abroad programme widens the range of modules available to you during Stage 3 of your degree programme; enables you to broaden your academic horizons by studying in a different learning culture and (where relevant and appropriate) in languages other than English; and aims to promote resilience, independence, cultural awareness, and communication skills.

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HAS3998: Employment Experience

This module allows you to undertake and to learn from an extended work placement during the third year of a four year “with Employment Experience” programme. You will use one or more work placements to gain skills that equip you to work in the employment market and to improve your knowledge of the work environment. You are encouraged to think about the intercultural competence and the employability skills that you acquire during your year.

To progress to this module, you will have secured a suitable placement for a minimum of 26 weeks.

Having developed the skills necessary to find relevant roles and apply for roles in the graduate labour market, this is an invaluable opportunity to develop work-related skills and experience that will further enhance your success in the graduate labour market and support your future career choices.

During your placement year you will be supported by the Module Convenor and Placement Team.

The module assessment structure provides opportunity and support for you to evaluate your skills and achievements using personal development techniques.  You will also write an Employer Report to showpiece the culmination of your academic and business skills.

This module aims to:

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ARC3000: Archaeological Dissertation

In this module you will research independently a topic of your choice in the field of Archaeology and write up your research in a dissertation. You will start preparing for your dissertation during the second term of year 2, deciding on an appropriate topic which must be approved by your dissertation supervisor.

The module will develop the ability to define a field of enquiry, undertake a sustained period of research into it and produce a dissertation upon it. It will encourage the application of knowledge, principles, skills of enquiry and (where appropriate) illustrative skills. It will develop the ability critically to evaluate the issues relating to the subject area.

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CLA3009: Dissertation

This module gives you the opportunity to pursue an independent research project on a topic of your choice in the field of Classics and Ancient History, and to write up your research in an extended dissertation. Enrolment on this module in your final year of study is subject to submission of preliminary materials in the previous academic year, and approval of them by the module convenor (dissertation coordinator). The decision to write a dissertation should not be taken lightly: before enrolling on this module, please consider whether you possess an adequate degree of independent learning skills as well as writing skills and time management skills.

Although you will work for the most part independently, each dissertation will be supervised by a member of staff, to be assigned by the module convenor. Your supervisor will read and comment on some drafts, giving advice on the style, the argument and directions for further investigation. It will be your responsibility to liaise with your supervisor and keep them posted about the progress of your work. You will be allowed to arrange up to four meetings with your supervisor, with a maximum of two meetings per term. In addition to this 1-to-1 supervision, you will receive general advice and guidance on how to conduct research suitable to an UG dissertation, and how to write up and present a suitable UG dissertation, in two plenary sessions led by the module convenor.

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