Living and Dying in the Roman World (ANCW20026)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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What was it like actually to live in the Roman empire? How can we learn about the realities of life for ordinary Romans? How much has changed in two millennia?

This course is designed to make students aware of and deal with aspects of society and culture in the Roman empire. Generally the time period covered will be from ca. 100 BC to ca. AD 300, but some topics will necessarily go beyond this period because of the nature of the surviving testimony. Particular emphasis will be placed on ancient evidence, including inscriptions and archaeological and visual material.

Students who undertake this course are expected to have some prior knowledge of Roman history. Prof. Parkin will talk more about this in the first week, and provide some guidance to students on how to refresh their knowledge if they need to.

Intended learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to: 

  • Analyze certain aspects of Roman society and culture, and through this have come to appreciate the debt the modern world owes to Rome
  • Develop critical skills in dealing with primary sources and solving the problems presented by such material
  • Carry out independent research, managing the information obtained, and communicating their findings in a coherent and scholarly way
  • Participate in activities which involve group discussion as well as individual effort, and will have developed further their computer literacy.

Generic skills

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:

  • Develop critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate concepts, beliefs, considering multiple perspectives, and supporting evidence
  • Communicate effectively in writing and synthesis an argument in cogent form
  • Evaluate the impact of social, ethical, and cultural contexts
  • Acquire greater confidence in tackling unfamiliar problems
  • Reflect on the communication conventions of another culture
  • Conduct independent research and effectively manage information

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites


Corequisites


Non-allowed subjects


Recommended background knowledge

 

Some background knowledge in Roman history would be useful but not essential or required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Mid-semester test

  • 1000 words (equivalent)
Week 625%

10-minute oral presentation

  • 1000 words (equivalent)
Week 1225%

Assignment

  • 2000 words
During the examination period50%
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures.Throughout the teaching periodN/A
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. Throughout the semesterN/A

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorTim Parkin
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours30 hours: 1 x 1.5-hour lecture and 1 x1-hour tutorial per week for 12 weeks
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

    Semester 2 contact information

    tim.parkin@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Further information

Last updated: 9 April 2025