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Unit of study_

ANHS1601: Foundations for Ancient Rome

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

From Spain to Turkey, from Britain to Africa, ancient Rome has left physical and cultural reminders of its role as ancient superpower. This unit of study will introduce you to the city of Rome itself, its turbulent history, its empire and its vibrant culture. It will provide a springboard for further studies in history, archaeology and literature. It is informed by a cross-disciplinary approach that combines a variety of perspectives to achieve a holistic view of the ancient world.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ANHS1601
Academic unit Classics and Ancient History
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
ANHS1004 or ANHS1005
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator James Tan, james.t@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Research Essay
n/a
40% - 1500
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam
Take Home Type C
30% Formal exam period 3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Participation Participation
n/a
10% Multiple weeks N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Source comparison exercises
n/a
20% Multiple weeks 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 The ancient Mediterranean Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 02 1. A restless republic; 2. Object: Sarcophagus of Scipio Barbatus Lecture (2 hr)  
Polybius 6 Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 03 1. An Imperial Republic; 2. Object: Monument of Aemilius Paullus Lecture (2 hr)  
Undergraduate essay writing Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 04 1. Religion, economy and change; 2. Object: Coin with Juno Moneta Lecture (2 hr)  
The Bacchanalian conspiracy Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 05 1. Gracchi/women and children; 2. Object: cornelia base Lecture (2 hr)  
Vestal virgins Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 06 1. Republican collapse and Roman Italy; 2. Object: Rooftile from Pietrabbondante Lecture (2 hr)  
Library tours Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 07 1. The Caesar years, law and republicanism; 2. Object: Curia Lecture (2 hr)  
Why did Sulla’s troops follow him to Rome? Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 08 1. Augustan rebirth and the city; 2. Object: Fasti Triumphales Lecture (2 hr)  
Laudatio Turiae Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 09 1. Julio-Claudians and early Christianity; 2. Object: Agrippina and Nero from Aphrodisias Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 10 1. High empire and the provinces; 2. Object: Legionary from Adamklissi Lecture (2 hr)  
The Antonine plague Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 11 1. The Third Century “Crisis” and the army; 2. Object: Aurelian’s last Denarius Lecture (2 hr)  
To what extent did Persia cause the third century “crisis?” Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 12 1. The Constantinian Empire; 2. Object: The altar of victory no more Lecture (2 hr)  
The Arch of Constantine Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 13 1. From ancient to Medieval and climate change; 2. Object: Spoons from Sutton Hoo Lecture (2 hr)  
Climate change and the fall of Rome? Tutorial (1 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

  • Rosenstein, N.S. 2012. Rome and the Mediterranean 290 to 146 BC: The Imperial Republic. Edinburgh.
  • Steel, C. 2013. End of the Roman Republic 146 to 44 BC: Conquest and Crisis: Conquest and Crisis. Edinburgh.
  • Goodman, M. 2002. The Roman World 44 BC–AD 180. London.
  • Potter, D.S. 2004. The Empire at Bay AD 180-395. London.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate knowledge of the general principles, methods of inquiry and foundational concepts of Ancient History
  • LO2. demonstrate a basic proficiency in forms of critical analysis (the analysis of historical data) and problem solving (asking historical questions) appropriate to the discipline of ancient history
  • LO3. demonstrate an ability to work with primary evidence in the form of texts, epigraphic and numismatic material and archaeological and material culture
  • LO4. communicate your understanding in written and oral form.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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