AN3034 Approaches to Ancient History

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module Staff

Team Taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Antiquarians let the sources set their agenda, but historians start with questions. As a preparation for the serious study of Ancient History at honours level, this module aims to make students better historians through close study of a selection of challenging and innovative works of scholarship. Each week students will read a book or article that revolutionised its field. They will learn that major advances often involve posing entirely new questions or finding novel ways of approaching familiar problems. They will learn the value (and the limits) of models, theory and different types of evidence. They will finish with a clearer appreciation of the wide range of approaches open to ancient historians and the importance of choosing between them.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

ENTRY TO HONOURS ANCIENT HISTORY

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1-hour induction session in Orientation Week then 1 lecture and 1 x 2-hour seminar per week.

Scheduled learning hours

30

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

270

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • analyse and discuss critically the work of Ancient Historians dealing with different topics in the field
  • Discuss the importance of the conscious use of theories and models in historical analysis, as well as of the problems posed by them
  • Evaluate the advantages and downsides offered by different methodologies and types of evidence
  • Formulate a research project, showing awareness of their main elements
  • Evaluate the consistency and quality of historical arguments in the field of ancient history
  • Discuss the role played by sources in the production of historical knowledge applied to antiquity