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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: 21 January 2025