Imperial Rome: Augustus to Theodosius I

Subject 131-043 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2009.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Usually 12.5 points of first-year history.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Subject Overview:

This subject examines the period from the Augustan Principate to the Age of Diocletian, the House of Constantine and the definitive end of the pan-Mediterranean Empire in 395 CE. How did Octavian become Imperator Caesar Augustus and how efficient was the dynastic and military monarchy he established? How did the Emperor and his administration manage to govern and control a vast and heterogenic Empire? How well or badly was the Roman world ruled and how important were the characters of individual emperors? How far does the 3rd century constitute a crisis? How was the Empire then restructured and converted to Christianity? Students will also focus on questions of historical method: How does one handle sources subject to heavy political and religious bias? On completion of the subject students should have a good knowledge of the history of the Roman world in its golden age and subsequent transformation.

Assessment: A written essay 3000 words, 50% (due mid-semester); a final exam 40% (end of semester); and tutorial attendance and contribution 10 %.
Prescribed Texts: A History of Rome (Marcel Le Glay, Jean-Louis Voisin & Yann Le Bohec), Third edition (Blackwell 2004 A subject reader will be available from the Bookroom at the beginning of semester
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • develop research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

  • demonstrate critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

  • be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

  • demonstrate written communication through essay preparation and writing;

  • develop time management and planning through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion.

Notes:

Formerly available as 131-234/334 and as 131-043 Roman History: Three Centuries of Empire. Students who have completed 131-234 or 131-334 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Related Course(s): Diploma in Arts (Ancient and Medieval Studies)
Diploma in Arts (Classical Studies)
Diploma in Arts (History)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Ancient and Medieval Studies
Ancient and Medieval Studies
Classical Studies and Archaeology
Classical Studies and Archaeology
History
History

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