Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year
BA (Hons) Ancient History
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | BA (Hons) Ancient History | Programme code | UFA3CTHCTH05 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time Part Time |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 6 (Honours) |
2. Description of the Programme
A degree in Ancient History at the University of Exeter introduces you to the two most significant civilisations ever to have existed: Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Thousands of years ago, Greece was the most important place in the world with an empire that spanned three continents. It bore some of the greatest thinkers, warriors, scholars, philosophers, artists, athletes, architects and politicians ever known. Today, we still see its influence everywhere in our modern world, from maths and science to art and language, making this a truly fascinating subject to study. Equally, Rome has had an extraordinary influence on life as we know it. The Roman Empire stretched from Portugal to Persia, Scotland to Sahara, and looking back at this powerful society can unlock new ways of thinking. Looking at a broad range of topics such as government, conflict, religion, gender, sexuality, migration and economy, you will learn to use the past to better understand the world around you.
Our world-class faculty staff give you the opportunity to become partners in their cutting-edge research projects on topics like Greek mythology and inscriptions and moral concepts in Latin literature. We have one of the largest and most vibrant Classics and Ancient History departments in the country where you join an open, friendly and dynamic community in which to live and study. Our highly-active Classics Society is run by students who organise a lively social and academic programme for you to take advantage of including; plays, balls, debates, film nights, museum visits and opportunities to travel abroad.
As with all our classically-based degrees, this programme equips you with a solid foundation of transferable skills including: communication, persuasion, problem-solving, critical analysis and collaborative working. Your time spent studying one or more of the ancient languages adds further diversity to your skillset, opening up additional career paths including roles in areas such as teaching or linguistics. With 95% of our graduates in employment or further study six months after graduation, you will be well placed to pursue a variety of jobs. Recent graduates are now working in areas such as finance, the police, business development, consultancy, law, publishing and journalism.
Advice and guidance on your programme can be sought from your personal tutor and programme director. All staff offer regular office hours that you can drop into without a prior appointment for this purpose.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme aims to:
- Provide you with a stimulating and supportive environment that is informed by research.
- Offer a structured framework of study which ensures that within the timespan of the programme you follow a balanced and complementary range of modules, whilst allowing sufficient choice to ensure that you are able to follow individual pathways of learning.
- Enable you to gain competence in dealing with the various types of evidence and the methodological problems associated with studying an historical culture.
- Ensure that you gain some experience of ancient Greek or Latin language and have the opportunity to become competent in either of these languages.
- Provide a range of academic and personal skills which will prepare students from varied educational backgrounds for employment or further study, which will foster mental agility and adaptability, and which will enable you to deploy your knowledge, abilities and skills in their entirety, displaying balance and judgement in a variety of circumstances.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
http://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/humanities/studying/undergraduates/modules/
For further information on which level Classical Languages and Texts module you should take, please see our Classics Language Ladder and Studying Ancient Languages guide https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/humanities/studying/subjecthandbooks/classics/.
You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. You will choose from historical modules based on written and material evidence and methodological modules. All final year students have a choice of a wide range of thematic modules, which emphasise the critical interpretation and evaluation of appropriate materials.
You may take elective modules up to 30 credits outside of the programme in any stage of the programme as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
Stage 1
90-105 credits of compulsory modules, 15-30 credits of optional modules
The first year gives you a foundational knowledge of ancient history, methods and concepts. You will also gain important analytical techniques that will be useful across a range of subjects and research tasks.
Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:
a select either CLA1001 or CLA1002; the modules run in alternate years so you must select the one which is running in this academic year.
b select 30-60 credits of Classical Language and Texts module at the appropriate level from this list. If you select CLA1025 Classical Language and Texts Greek I (A), you must also select CLA1026 Classical Language and Texts Greek I (B); if you select CLA1027 Classical Language and Texts Latin I (A), you must also select CLA1028 Classical Language and Texts Latin I (B).
c select 15-30 credits of Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) modules from this list.
d select Ancient World: Roman Philosophy (CLA1508/CLA2508) or Ancient World: Greek Philosophy (CLA1507/CLA2507) in either stage 1 or 2; the modules run in alternate years so you must select the one which is running in this academic year. If you do not take one of these modules in stage 1, you must take one in stage 2.
e select 15-30 credits of Text and Context modules from CLA1408/CLA1410.
f select 0-30 credits from this list of Classics and Ancient History optional modules.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLA CLA1001-CLA1002 [See note a above] | |||
| CLA1001 | Greek History: Problems and Sources | 30 | No |
| CLA1002 | Roman History: Problems and Sources | 30 | No |
| CLA S1 BA Classical Language and Texts 2023-4 [See note b above] | |||
| CLA1025 | Classical Language and Texts Greek I (A) | 15 | No |
| CLA1202 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek II | 30 | No |
| CLA1204 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek III | 30 | No |
| CLA1252 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin II | 30 | No |
| CLA1254 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin III | 30 | No |
| CLA1026 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek I (B) | 15 | No |
| CLA1027 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin I (A) | 15 | No |
| CLA1028 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin I (B) | 15 | No |
| CLA S1 BA Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) 2023-4 [See note c above] | |||
| CLA1307 | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) Ancient Medicine | 15 | No |
| CLA1302 | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Greek Historiography to the End of the Fifth Century BC | 15 | No |
| CLA CLA1507-CLA1508 [See note d above] | |||
| CLA1507 | Ancient World: Greek Philosophy | 15 | No |
| CLA1508 | Ancient World: Roman Philosophy | 15 | No |
| CLA S1 BA Text and Context 2023-4 [See note e above] | |||
| CLA1410 | Text and Context: Writing Women in Ancient Literature | 15 | No |
| CLA1406 | Text and Context: Roman Love Elegy | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLA S1 BA AH SH opt 2023-4 [See note f above] | |||
| CLA1517 | Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Hellenistic Palaces in West Asia | 15 | No |
| CLA1006 | Greek and Roman Drama | 30 | No |
| CLA1514 | Ancient Sources (Material Evidence) - Pompeii: Destruction, Discovery and Afterlife | 15 | No |
| CLA1507 | Ancient World: Greek Philosophy | 15 | No |
| CLA1307 | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) Ancient Medicine | 15 | No |
| CLA1302 | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Greek Historiography to the End of the Fifth Century BC | 15 | No |
| CLA1410 | Text and Context: Writing Women in Ancient Literature | 15 | No |
| CLA1406 | Text and Context: Roman Love Elegy | 15 | No |
Stage 2
60-75 credits of compulsory modules, 45-60 credits of optional modules (including HUM2000 and HUM2001 Humanities in the Workplace)
In the second year you will advance your grasp of ancient history knowledge and methods through a set of compulsory modules. Optional modules enable you to develop specialist knowledge on a range of topics.
Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:
g select either CLA2001 or CLA2002; the modules run in alternate years so you must select the one which is running in this academic year.
h select 15-45 credits of Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) modules from this list.
i select Ancient World: Roman Philosophy (CLA1508/CLA2508) or Ancient World: Greek Philosophy (CLA1507/CLA2507) in either stage 1 or 2; the modules run in alternate years so you must select the one which is running in this academic year. If you do not take one of these modules in stage 1, you must take one in stage 2.
j select 15-45 credits of Ancient Sources (Material Evidence) modules from this list.
k select 0-30 credits from this list of Classics and Ancient History optional modules.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLA CLA2001-CLA2002 [See note g above] | |||
| CLA2001 | Greek History: Problems and Sources | 30 | No |
| CLA2002 | Roman History: Problems and Sources | 30 | No |
| CLA S2 BA Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) 2023-4 [See note h above] | |||
| CLA2302 | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Greek Historiography to the End of the Fifth Century BC | 15 | No |
| CLA2307 | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) Ancient Medicine | 15 | No |
| CLA CLA2507-CLA2508 [See note i above] | |||
| CLA2507 | Ancient World: Greek Philosophy | 15 | No |
| CLA2508 | Ancient World: Roman Philosophy | 15 | No |
| CLA S2 BA Ancient Sources (Material Evidence) 2023-4 [See note j above] | |||
| CLA2514 | Ancient Sources (Material Evidence) - Pompeii: Destruction, Discovery and Afterlife | 15 | No |
| CLA2517 | Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Hellenistic Palaces in West Asia | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLA S2 BA AH SH opt 2023-4 [See note k above] | |||
| CLA2254 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin IV | 30 | No |
| CLA3254 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin III | 30 | No |
| CLA2252 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin II | 30 | No |
| CLA2205 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek IV | 30 | No |
| CLA3204 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek III | 30 | No |
| CLA2202 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek II | 30 | No |
| CLA2406 | Text and Context: Roman Love Elegy | 15 | No |
| CLA2410 | Text and Context: Writing Women in Ancient Literature | 15 | No |
| CLA2006 | Greek and Roman Drama | 30 | No |
| CLA1507 | Ancient World: Greek Philosophy | 15 | No |
| CLA2302 | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Greek Historiography to the End of the Fifth Century BC | 15 | No |
| CLA2307 | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) Ancient Medicine | 15 | No |
| CLA2514 | Ancient Sources (Material Evidence) - Pompeii: Destruction, Discovery and Afterlife | 15 | No |
| CLA2517 | Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Hellenistic Palaces in West Asia | 15 | No |
| HUM HUM2000-HUM2001 | |||
| HUM2000 | Humanities in the Workplace | 30 | No |
| HUM2001 | Humanities in the Workplace | 15 | No |
Stage 3
120 credits of optional modules
You will have the choice of a range of specialist modules, including the opportunity to take our dissertation module, to create a programme of work fully reflecting your interests and providing you with the opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned over the previous years of your degree.
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLA3009 | Dissertation | 30 | No |
| CLA Final Stage BA Ancient History-Classical Studies CH options 2023-4 | |||
| CLA3008 | The Age of Cicero | 30 | No |
| CLA3033 | Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds | 30 | No |
| CLA3045 | Thucydides and the Idea of History | 30 | No |
| CLA3056 | Ovid and the Erotic Passions | 15 | No |
| CLA3059 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek V: Imperial Greek Prose | 30 | No |
| CLA3113 | Art in Greek Society | 15 | No |
| CLA3123 | Applied Classics | 15 | No |
| CLA3124 | Receptions of the Classical Body | 30 | No |
| CLA3125 | Reading and Writing Greek Literature in the Hellenistic World | 30 | No |
| CLA3202 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek II | 30 | No |
| CLA3204 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek III | 30 | No |
| CLA3205 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek IV | 30 | No |
| CLA3206 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin IV | 30 | No |
| CLA3251 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin V: Epic | 30 | No |
| CLA3252 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin II | 30 | No |
| CLA3254 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin III | 30 | No |
| CLA3255 | Greek Political Thought | 15 | No |
| CLA3257 | Living in the Roman World: Society and Culture | 30 | No |
| CLA3263 | Being and Not-Being in Greek Philosophy: from Parmenides to Aristotle | 15 | No |
| CLA3267 | Dialogues with the Past: Creative Interpretative Project | 15 | No |
| CLA3274 | The Persians in a Near Eastern Context | 30 | No |
| CLA3275 | Women Writing Classics | 15 | No |
| CLA3277 | Lost Works and Fragments | 15 | No |
| CLA3278 | Roman Political Thought | 15 | No |
| CLA3279 | Knowledge, Wealth and Power in the Ancient World | 30 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Demonstrate an awareness of the main problems and issues bearing upon Greek and Roman history, and awareness of and critical engagement with aspects of Greek and Roman society, religion and philosophy; analyse them critically and creatively and evaluate the similarities and differences with our own culture (3.2 A1). | (Numbers in brackets refer to the QAA Benchmark Statement for Classics and Ancient History) ILOs 1-4 form the basis of the programme at all levels. However, more sophisticated analysis and understanding is expected in the final stage. These skills are developed in stages 1 and 2 by means of lectures, discussion in seminars, researching and writing essays, gobbet answers and oral presentations. In the final stage these skills are developed in relation to particular topics and periods through specialised modules and through an optional dissertation. These skills are also reinforced in the final stage by placing greater emphasis on seminars (2-hour classes); on oral presentations (often summatively assessed); and essay writing (longer essays are expected in the final stage). ILO 5 is developed in stage 1 (in accordance with your level of language attainment on entry). It may be further developed through additional more advanced language modules in the second and final stages. | The assessment of ILOs 1-4 is made through a combination of examinations (including essays and gobbet passages for comment); term-time essays and, in many final stage modules, the assessment of oral presentations. Assessment of ILO 5 is made through examination and (in some modules) through continuous assessment tests, both of which assess grammar and translation skills. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
6. Gather, memorise, organise and deploy evidence and information, and show an awareness of the consequences of the unavailability of evidence (3.5 B4). | These skills are developed throughout the programme by means of lectures, discussion in seminars and study-groups, the preparation and delivery of oral presentations in seminars and the writing of essays. In the second and final stages you are expected to prepare longer and more sophisticated seminar presentations, and, in the final stage, to write longer essays in order further to develop these skills. Also in the final stage seminars are normally 2 hours in length and form the primary teaching and learning medium, with a focus on developing, in the context of your particular subjects, the more complex analytical skills listed opposite. ILO 12 is developed through regular language classes in stage 1, which focus on the understanding and manipulation of core grammatical principles and on basic translation. It may be developed further in the second and final stages in additional language modules in which further grammatical principles and more complex translation is practised. ILO 13 is developed through feedback on written work (normally delivered one-to-one, as well as in written form in the final stage). | The assessment of ILOs 6-11 is made through a combination of examinations (including essays and gobbet passages for comment); term-time essays and, in many final stage modules, the assessment of oral presentations. The assessment of ILO 12 is made through examination and (in some modules) continuous assessment tests, both of which assess grammar and translation skills. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
14. Present an argument orally in a clear, organised and effective manner (3.4 B10 & 3.7 B11). | ILOs 14 and 18-19 are developed through the preparation and delivery of oral presentations in most modules at all levels, and through the oral discussion of challenging material in all modules in the programme. ILO 16 is developed through participation in study groups with other students in most modules in the programme. It is also developed through meetings with personal tutors, one-to-one tutorials giving feedback on written work and through discussion in seminars. ILOs 15 and 19 are developed through examinations at all levels and through written assignments at all levels. ILO 17 is an essential part of the successful completion of the programme but is encouraged through preparation for written and oral assignments, and through general preparation for seminars and language classes. ILO 17 may be further developed in the final stage through the optional dissertation module. ILOs 20-21 are developed through oral presentations supported by handouts and through the requirement that all written work is word-processed. | ILOs 14, 16 and 18-20 are assessed through the oral presentations in the final stage (10 or 20%). This assessment may also include a formative peer evaluation element. ILOs 15 and 19 are assessed through examinations and written work at all levels and in all modules. ILO 21 is assessed through the assessment of written coursework. |
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
The marking criteria, which closely reflect the skills outlined in the Programme Outcomes section, and the Department’s expectations with regard to study groups, are available in the Student Handbook, which can be found at: www.intranet.exeter.ac.uk/humanities/studying/taughthandbook/.
In addition to the centrally provided services detailed in section 9, the Department of Classics and Ancient History provides:
- Team Skills Development Programme
- Student Handbooks and module guides (available in print and on the department websites)
- ELE based learning support materials and activities (Hercules)
- Access to teaching staff – times when staff are available are posted on office doors and contact email addresses provided in student handbooks
- Student representation at department meetings and College Teaching Committee
- Student progress review and reporting via reserved agenda items at department meetings
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
BA (Hons) Ancient History
19. UCAS Code
V110
20. NQF Level of Final Award
6 (Honours)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
[Honours] Classics and ancient history (including Byzantine Studies and Modern Greek)
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 01/06/2006 |
Date of last revision | 17/05/2023 |
|---|
