CL3RNW: The Romans and the Natural World

Module code: CL3RNW

Module provider: Classics; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Andrew Fox, email: a.fox2@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 11 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

his module aims to equip participants with an understanding of the contribution of the natural world to the social, economic, political, religious and cultural lives of Romans in the Early Imperial period. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Assess the relationship between the urban landscape and the natural world around and within it; 
2. Appraise the symbolic power and cultural value of natural features in shaping ancient identities; 
3. Analyse the variety of ancient evidence which historians must use to reconstruct this area of ancient life; and 
4. Be aware of key themes and controversies which have shaped scholarship in this field 

Module content

Each lecture focuses on a key topic or theoretical approach and follows student interest after the proposal submissions in Week 6. Initial topics may include examinations of the roles of hills, rivers, and trees, alongside theoretical approaches such as eco-criticism, memory theatre, and hyperobjectivity. 

The proposals are for a 3000 word essay or case study on a topic of the student’s choosing, or an alternative assessment with a reflective statement (eg. digital modelling). Reading is provided in advance of the lecture, and students are expected to contribute to discussions around the topic. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is structured around a series of discursive two-hour lectures, with substantial breaks for discussion, mirroring a more advanced tutorial style delivery. The students are encouraged to contribute with insights from their own reading, which includes ancient and modern material, and to consider alternative approaches to the ancient world through different theoretical models. These models are typically drawn from other disciplines (eg. Whyte’s landscape, memory, and monumentality, and Morton’s theory of hyperobjectivity), and thus students gain an appreciation of the benefits of interdisciplinarity. 

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs