Archived Version

The Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study has been formulated as a dynamic online publication in order to provide the most up to date information possible. Master versions of the Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study incorporating all changes to date are archived twice a year on 1 September and within the first three University working days prior to the start of Semester 2 in January. Please note that some of the data recorded about this course has been amended since the last master version was archived. That version should be consulted to determine the changes made.

view archived version

The Emperor Nero (VS1) (U03733)

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

This course provides an opportunity to study in detail the reign of the fifth (and perhaps the most notorious) Roman emperor, Nero (AD 54-68). It will address the nature and development of the Roman principate; Nero's early life; the history of his reign; his artistic preoccupations; and the reasons for his failure and fall. Particular emphasis will be placed on the sources for the period, which are exceptionally rich, extending from the philosophy and satire of Nero's tutor Seneca to the visually spectacular coinage and the extensive remains of Nero's Domus Aurea in Rome. Tacitus' Annals together with either Suetonius' Life of Nero or the Octavia (of unknown authorship) will be studied in English translation, and will be considered from a literary as well as a historical perspective.

Entry Requirements

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

? This course is a variant of the following course : U03732

? Pre-requisites : 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)

Other subject areas

Classical Literature in Translation, (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

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

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
18/09/2007	11:10	13:00	Room G10, Adam Ferguson Building	Central	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

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	11:10	13:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate in tutorial discussion, in coursework and in the written degree examination that they have acquired the following specific academic competences:
- an informed understanding of the history and politics of the Neronian period;
- skills of historical and literary analysis of classical texts and other ancient sources;
- and an informed understanding and appreciation of a selection of works by Tacitus and other authors studied in English translation.

In addition, they should be able to demonstrate, again through tutorial discussion, coursework and the written degree examination, that they have acquired the following specific transferable skills:
- gathering material independently on a given topic and organising it into a coherent set of data;
- comparing differing sets of data and drawing conclusions from them;
- evaluating different approaches to and explanations of material, and making critical choices between them;
- expressing ideas and arguments clearly;
- and organising their own learning, managing their workload and working to a timetable.

They should also have developed their general competences as follows, and be able to demonstrate them by the means stated above:
- general historical understanding;
- general literary appreciation.