HST6842: The Transformation of the Roman World
15 credits (semester 2: 2009-10) (semester 1: 2010-11)
Module Leader: Dr. Simon Loseby
| Module Summary |
In around AD350 a vast area stretching from northern Britain to the Arabian desert lay under the authority of the Roman empire. The ensuing centuries saw the fragmentation of this uniquely powerful political entity into smaller units. Traditional perceptions of this period as one of `decline and fall´ have recently been challenged by a new emphasis on the progressive political, religious, cultural and economic transformation of the Roman world. This module explores the lively debates about the nature of the transition from Antiquity to the Middle Ages, and the factors which influenced the different development of the various states which eventually succeeded the Roman empire.
| Teaching |
The module will be taught in five, two-hour classes. Each will focus on a particular theme (for example the imperial legacy, the resources of royal government, power and the holy, or migration and settlement) and be located around its discussion in the primary and secondary historical literature, considered in broad context. Students will use a wide variety of textual and archaeological materials through which to explore this transformation. This is a field with a rich literature in which publication is continuing, one which feeds into wider debates in the English-speaking world as to the nature of historical investigation. Classes will enable students to share knowledge, debate controversial issues and listen and respond to the views of others in a structured environment. Students will, in addition, have an individual tutorial with their own supervisor in which to discuss the work they will write for assessment for this module.
| Assessment |
Students will prepare a short paper (not more than 3000 words) which demonstrates an ability to handle bibliographical resources and which explores one of the key themes raised by an in-depth study of a particular topic in early medieval history.
| Intended Learning Outcomes |
By the end of the unit, a candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- A more profound understanding of the history of the period between c. 300 and 900 and the factors significant in reshaping the former Roman world, coming to independent conclusions on salient issues of interpretation and source criticism.
- The ability to distinguish between and critically evaluate different schools of interpretation and historical debate about late antiquity and the early middle ages, gaining an awareness of issues in current research beyond the published literature.
- The ability to elaborate and defend an intellectual position and to present scholarly arguments and historiographical debates orally and in writing.
- An awareness of the contribution made by other academic disciplines to our understanding of early medieval history.
- Their ability to engage in group discussions of interpretative issues.