Society and Epigraphy in Roman Italy (U02650)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : HCA-3-SOCEPI

The course aims to be an introduction to this major body of source material as well as an in-depth analysis of Roman society from the epigraphic record. Thus, the focus will not be on the epigraphy of the single text - with its emphasis on linguistic knowledge and philological competence as opposed to other skills - but on the persuasive manipulation of bodies of inscriptions that pose a historical question despite often providing little else than a few lines of text, whether words or names. Such inscriptions do not require the student to have good or indeed any language skills at the beginning, and it is historians who are linguistic novices whom the course is designed to attract. The range of historical problems to be worked on will cut right across the linguistic landscape of what later came to be known as Roman Italy, thus including work not only on Latin inscriptions, but also for instance on Oscan or Umbrian texts. Students will be grouped in small teams and given a new epigraphic 'puzzle' each week that is relevant both for an understanding of society in Roman Italy and for the study of epigraphy. These 'puzzles' may require geographical mapping, quantitative analysis, interpretation of the epigraphic habit, etc. Students will have to present the underlying historical problem and argue their team's interpretation of it against those of the other teams at the ensuing class meeting.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : A Pass in an Ancient History or Classical World Level 1 or Level 2 course, or at discretion of course organiser.

? Special Arrangements for Entry : The maximum student intake is 25 on this course. In order for a student from outwith Classics to be enrolled, contact must be made with a Course Secretary on 50 3580 in order for approval to be obtained.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Ancient History, (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
08/01/2008	16:10	18:00	Room S.1, 7 George Square	Central	In order for a student from outside Classics to be enrolled, contact must be made with a Course Secretary on 50 3580 for approval to be obtained.

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	16:10	18:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course the student will be able to demonstrate in written course work and in class discussion:

- an understanding of the complexity of this body of evidence;
- an understanding of the discipline ('epigraphy') and its importance for the historian;
- an understanding of social structures and their interrelatedness with the source material under investigation;
- the ability to use critically a variety of different methodologies and approaches to this body of source material;
- familiarity with epigraphic conventions, editions and collections;
- familiarity with real artefacts (in a museum context);
- bibliographical research skills to find independently additional information and epigraphic material relating to the study of society in Roman Italy.

The student will also be able to demonstrate these skills in a museum context at work on real artefacts.

The student will also demonstrate:-

- an ability to deal independently with a highly complex body of material;
- an ability to develop lateral thinking and to view things in a wider perspective;
- analytical skills;
- team work skills;
- basic linguistic skills;
- an ability to concentrate on important aspects, and to make use of these in a meaningful way;
- an ability to communicate ones own findings and opinions clearly and lucidly;
- oral presentation skills;
- written communication skills.