Roman Slavery (VS1) (U03385)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : HCA-3-VS1 - RSL

The course aims to be a general introduction to the topic of forced and slave labour in the ancient world. It covers major topical issues within slavery studies, such as enslavement processes, the role/s of slaves in society, law and slavery, male and female slave labour, slave resistance and rebellion, numbers of slaves, etc. Although the course specifically focuses on the Roman world, it will also cover other selected parts of the ancient world, e.g. Greece and the Ancient Near East. The student should acquire familiarity with a) various types of slave labour exploited (e.g. agricultural, industrial and commercial), as well as the differences between public and private slavery; b) the various bodies of evidence available for the study of ancient slavery (i.e. archaeology, epigraphy, literary evidence and papyrology); and c) the various approaches taken by scholars towards the study of (ancient) slavery (e.g. comparatist, feminist, Marxist, quantitative). Because of the significance of slave and forced labour in ancient societies, the topic offers itself as a valuable introduction to the study of the ancient world as a whole, as well as to issues of labour, labour rights and movements - or their absence. Likewise, the course is an ideal introduction to the study of slavery as a historical phenomenon, and the course is therefore explicitely comparatist.

Entry Requirements

? This course is only available to part year visiting students.

? This course is a variant of the following course : U02175

? Pre-requisites : Experience in Ancient History, at the discretion of the course organiser.

? Special Arrangements for Entry : This course is only for visiting students in Edinburgh during the 1st Semester but NOT the 2nd Semester. In order for a student 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 : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 30 minutes per week for 10 weeks

All of the following classes

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

? Additional Class Information : Additional 30 minutes per week to be arranged with students.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course the student will be able to demonstrate in written exam and coursework as well as in class discussion:
- understanding of the complexity of the subject and its interrelatedness with other important subjects;
- ability to use critically a variety of different categories of material, epigraphic and literary evidence;
- understanding of some of the major historiographical issues relating to the study of slavery;
- knowledge of some important aspects of ancient slavery as a system of exploitation;
- awareness of some of the differences and similarities between ancient and modern slavery;
- bibliographical research skills to enable students to find independently additional information on aspects of the study of slavery in different periods and regions.

In doing so, 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;
- an ability to concentrate on important aspects, and to make use of these in a meaningful way;
- an ability to communicate own findings and opinions clearly and lucidly;
- written communication skills.