PROGRAMME APPROVAL FORM€¦ · depends on proper interaction between in-depth training in a skill, and the intellectual training common to all Humanities degrees. At the heart of

Programme approval 2006/07

PAF Originally Approved by QA&AA: 26 June 2007

PAF Amended for 2010/11 by ASQ: 12th April 2010

PAF modified by ASQ re: exit awards: 25th May 2010

PAF modified re: programme table: 26 October 2011

PAF modified re module table for 2012/13: 14th February 2012

PAF modified by QAS for 2013/14: 7th March 2013

PAF modified by QAS for 2014/15: 12th February 2014

PAF modified re module table for 2014/15: 6th August 2014

PAF finalised for 2014/15: 14 October 2014

PAF finalised for 2015/16: 7 September 2015

PAF checked for 2017/18: 24 July 2017


PAF checked for 2020/21: 07 November 2019

PAF checked for 2020/21; 03 August 2020

THE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

1. Programme title and designation Ancient History

Single honours Joint Major/minor

2. Final award

Award Title Credit

Value

ECTS

equivalent

Any special criteria

BA (Hons) Ancient History 360 180 N/A

3. Nested awards

Award Title Credit

Value

ECTS

equivalent


N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

4. Exit awards

Award Title Credit

Value

ECTS

equivalent


Ordinary

degree

Arts &

Humanities

(Ancient History)

300 150 N/A

Undergraduate

Diploma

(UGDIP)

Arts &

Humanities

(Ancient History)

240 120 N/A

Undergraduate

Certificate

(UGCert)

Arts &

Humanities

(Ancient History)

120 60 N/A

5. Level in the qualifications framework

H

6. Attendance

Full-time Part-time Distance

learning

Mode of attendance

Yes No No

Minimum length of programme

3 years N/A N/A

Maximum length of programme

10 years N/A N/A

7. Awarding institution/body King’s College London,

8. Teaching institution King’s College London,

9. Proposing department Department of Classics

X
















10. Programme organiser and contact

details

Professor Hugh Bowden, Department of Classics;

email: [email protected]

11. UCAS code (if appropriate) Q806

12. Relevant QAA subject benchmark/

professional and statutory body guidelines

Classics and Ancient History

13. Date of production of specification

Original PAF: January 2004

CF PAF: 5 October 2006

14. Date of programme review 2016/17

16. Educational aims of the programme

The following learning outcomes are applicable to all awards.

The programme aims to develop the student’s interest in, and knowledge and understanding of the

social, political, military, economic and cultural history of Greco-Roman antiquity. The programme

aims to foster respect for the student’s own and others’ history, culture and values, and a capacity for

critical reasoning and judgement. The intellectual training also aims to encourage flexibility of

approach.

An Ancient History honours degree (in common with all programmes offered by this Department)

depends on proper interaction between in-depth training in a skill, and the intellectual training

common to all Humanities degrees. At the heart of a university education in the Classics Department

is the need to teach Greek and Latin, to impart a knowledge of ancient cultures, and to train students’

own intellectual and personal skills. The Department’s aims are therefore:

• To train students to think logically, to develop analytical skills, to assess evidence, to exercise

judgement, and to reach coherent decisions through the study of modules of high intellectual

content.

• To train students to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• To produce intelligent, adaptable, articulate and independently minded graduates who will satisfy

the needs of employers in a wide range of occupations, and who will become life-long learners

with an appreciation of the value to society of an education in the Humanities.

17. Educational objectives of the programme/programme outcomes

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and

understanding and skills in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding

The programme provides a knowledge and

understanding of the following:

1. The social, political, military, economic

and cultural history of Greco-Roman

antiquity;

2. The similarities and differences between

the culture of Greco-Roman antiquity and

These are achieved through the following

teaching/learning methods and

strategies:

Skills 1-2, 4-6 are acquired in lectures,

seminars and tutorials in each of years 1, 2

and 3 on ancient historical topics. Skill 3 is

acquired through taking modules on other
















the student’s own culture;

3. complementary subjects – drawn from

such fields as language, literature,

linguistics, philosophy, art and

archaeology, or theme-based topics which

cross the boundaries between them (e.g.

religion, gender studies, or specific regions

or periods);

4. an appropriate and diverse range of

primary materials, e.g. literary,

philosophical and historical texts, art

objects, archaeological evidence,

inscriptions;

5. a range of techniques and methodologies,

such as bibliographical and library

research skills, a range of skills in reading and textual analysis, the varieties of

historical method, the visual skills

characteristic of art criticism, skills in

translation from and/or into ancient Greek

and/or Latin;

6. a range of viewpoints on problems of

interpretation and evaluation, and a variety

of critical approaches to them;

7. appropriate personal and professional

conduct in the context of the discipline.

Classical topics, and the possibility of

modules from programmes from outside

the Department. Skill 4 is addressed

through all modules making use of primary

materials, in the case of written material

either in the original or in translation, in the

case of material culture either through

reproductions or direct contact in museums.

Students are made aware that class contact

time is the departure point for their

learning, the greater part of which must be

self-motivated. Tutors advise on secondary

reading and on locating resources. Thus

the importance of independent reading is

stressed at all levels.

Assessment:

Learning outcomes are tested through a

combination of assessed coursework and

final, unseen, examination. Assessed

coursework is principally in the form of

essays, but may include an element for

analysis of ancient sources.

Skills and other attributes

Intellectual skills:

1. Can analyse more abstract texts,

evidence, etc without guidance, using a

range of approaches and techniques

appropriate to the subject;

2. With minimum guidance can critically

assesses secondary literature and

important ideas to develop an argument;

3. Can critically evaluate material to

support conclusions, reviewing its

reliability, validity and significance. Can

investigate contradictory

information/identify reasons for contradictions;

4. Is confident and flexible in identifying

and defining complex issues within the

discipline and can apply appropriate



strategies:

Intellectual skills are developed through the

teaching and learning programme outlined

above. All modules, however taught,

involve discussion of key issues, practice in

applying concepts both orally and in

writing, analysis and interpretation of

materials, and individual feedback sessions

on coursework and on general progress.

Assessment: The assessment methods outlined above

demand the development of skills 1-4. 4

will be demonstrated increasingly, from

years 1 to 3, but will be most evident in
















knowledge and skills in addressing them.

year 3. The compulsory final year

dissertation provides the perfect vehicle for

all skills.

Practical skills:

1. Can operate in complex and

unpredictable contexts, requiring

selection and application from a wide

range of methods and activities;

2. Able to act autonomously, with minimal

supervision or direction, within agreed

guidelines.



strategies:

All students receive guidance on

identifying, locating and using material in

libraries and elsewhere. Comprehensive

bibliographies are provided for each

module at the outset, as are module

descriptions and essay titles. First-year

students are given a guide to the production

of essays, giving examples of citations,

notes and critical apparatus, and guidance

on attribution of sources. First-year

compulsory core modules introduce

students to analysis of texts in translation

from thematic, generic and methodological

perspectives.

Assessment:

These skills are primarily assessed through

assessed coursework, required for most

modules and final examinations.

Generic/transferable skills:

1. Can interact effectively within a

team/learning group, recognise, support

or be proactive in leadership, negotiate

and manage conflict;

2. With minimum guidance can manage

own learning using full range of

resources for the discipline(s);

3. Is confident in application of own criteria

of judgement and can challenge received

opinion. Can seek and make use of

feedback;

4. Can select and manage information,

competently undertaking reasonably

straight-forward research tasks with

minimum guidance;

5. Can take responsibility for own work and



strategies:

Small-group teaching in all modules

develops skills 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. Skills 2, 3,

4, 5 and 7 are developed through written

work and feedback on same. Skills 1, 3 and

6 are relevant to tutorials, seminars and

discussions.

Assessment:

Skills 2-7 are assessed through essays, class

participation and oral presentations. Skill 1

is not formally assessed but is inherent in

exposure to the subject.
















can criticise it;

6. Can engage effectively in debate in a

professional manner and give detailed

and coherent presentations;

7. Is confident and flexible in identifying

and defining complex issues and can

apply appropriate knowledge and skills in

addressing them.

18. Statement of how the programme has been informed by the relevant subject benchmark

statement(s)/professional and statutory body guidelines

The programme has been informed and is supported by the relevant parts of the Classics & Ancient

History benchmark statement. Particularly relevant are subject-related skills, which include an

understanding of: the diversity and importance of primary historical sources; critical traditions; the

methodological problems involved in studying a historical culture.

19. Programme structure and award requirements (where relevant the information should also

differentiate the particular requirements of pathways within a programme or linked/exit awards)

(a) numbers of compulsory and optional units to be taken in each year of the programme

Year 1: 120 credits earned through the 30 credit compulsory module, and 90 credits from the list of

optional modules.

Typically, students are not permitted to start both Greek and Latin Language beginners’ modules in

Year 1. With departmental approval, if a student has experience in either Greek or Latin (for

example, GCSE or equivalent) and wishes to continue this at intermediate or advanced level, and also

wishes to start beginners Latin or Greek in Year 1, they may do so.

For any Ancient History students taking both languages in Year 1 wishing to transfer to BA Classics

in Year 2, they must normally have an attainment of at least 70 in one of their language modules.

Transfers will be subject to departmental approval.

Year 2: 120 credits earned through 60 credits from prescribed list and 60 credits of optional modules.

Where a student takes part in a single semester ‘Year Abroad’ option, then 60 credits will be earned in

either semester 1 or 2, with the remaining 60 credits being earned at the partner institution; students

will take 30 credits from prescribed list and 30 credits of optional modules. Where a student takes part

in a whole year ‘Year Abroad’ option, then 120 credits will be earned at the partner institution. A

minimum of 60 credits must be at Level 5.

Year 3: 120 credits earned through 60 credits from prescribed list and 60 credits of optional modules.

A minimum of 90 credits must be at Level 6.

(b) range of credit levels permitted within the programme

Levels 4, 5 and 6
















(c) maximum number of credits permitted at the lowest level

150 credits

(d) minimum number of credits required at the highest level

90 credits

(e) progression and award requirements (if different from the standard)

Standard

(f) maximum number of credits permitted with a condoned fail (core modules excluded)

45 credits.

(g) Are students permitted to take a substitute module, as per regulation A3, 19.5?

Yes

(h) other relevant information to explain the programme structure

Subject to Department approval, relevant (i.e. Classics-related) modules offered at the appropriate

level by the Departments of Greek & Latin, History, and the Institute of Archaeology at UCL, the

Department of Classics at RHUL, and any KCL Department, may be taken in place of KCL Classics

modules in Years 2 and 3 of study.

In year 1 of study students may substitute one 15-credit optional module from any department in the

Faculty of Arts and Humanities, assuming that this module is appropriate to their programme of study

in the judgement of the Departmental management board. In years 2 and 3, students are permitted

with Departmental approval to take up to 30 credits of modules in each year at levels 5 and 6 from

outside the Department (i.e. within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities or Department of War

Studies).

In Year 2, where students are spending the first or second semester abroad, they will take the

appropriate Study Abroad version of any 30 credit modules. In Year 3, Group 3 (level 6) modules in

Ancient History at UCL can be counted towards the 60 credits of prescribed modules.
















Programme Structure

Title Credit

level

Credit

value

Status (I, Cr, Cp, O) for

each type of programme Progression

Assessment

Single Joint

Major/

minor Single Joint

Major/

minor

Year One

Introduction to Ancient History (c. 1200 BC-AD 600) 4 30 Cp No Coursework, written examination

Lists of optional modules in this document are indicative. An up-to-date list of optional modules offered is available in the Handbook.

Year I optional modules:

Greek Language 1 4 30 O No Written examination

Latin Language 1 4 30 O No Written examination





Introductory Greek Texts I (Prose) 5 15 O No Written examination

Introductory Greek Texts II (Verse) 5 15 O No Written examination

Introductory Greek Texts III (Prose) 5 15 O No Written examination

Introductory Greek texts IV (Verse) 5 15 O No Written examination

Introductory Latin Texts I (Prose) 5 15 O No Written examination

Introductory Latin Texts II (Verse) 5 15 O No Written examination

Introductory Latin Texts III (Prose) 5 15 O No Written examination
















Introductory Latin Texts IV (Verse) 5 15 O No Written examination

Modern Greek Language stage one 4 15 O No Written and oral examinations

Art and Archaeology of Greece and Rome 4 30 O No Coursework, written examination

Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece 4 15 O No Coursework

Art and Archaeology of Ancient Rome 4 15 O No Coursework

Greek and Latin Literature: An Introduction 4 30 O No Coursework, written examination

Greek Literature: An Introduction 4 15 O No Coursework

Introduction to Ancient Philosophy 4 30 O No Written examination, coursework

Latin Literature: An Introduction 4 15 O No Coursework

Working with Greek and Latin Literary Texts: an

Introduction 4 30 O No Coursework, written examination

Working with Greek Literary Texts: an Introduction 4 15 O No Coursework

Working with Latin Literary Texts: an Introduction 4 15 O No Coursework

All Level 4 modules in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities

or Global Institutes, with the approval of the programme

convenor 4 15 O No Various

Year Two

Students must take 60 credits (or 30 credits for single semester study abroad students) from list below:


Ancient Greek Tyranny in Context 5 15 O No Coursework
















The Byzantine Empire, 600-1453 5 30 O No Written examination, coursework

Democracy, Empire & War: Greece 446-338 BC 5 15 O No Coursework

Early Greece from Troy to Marathon 5 30 O Coursework

From Sulla to Caesar 5 30 O Coursework

History of the Roman Empire 31 BC to AD 400 5 30 O No Written examination

The Late Roman World 5 15 O No Coursework

Pompeii: History & Society 5 15 O No Coursework

Roman Britain 5 30 O No Written examination

The World from Babylon, 911 – c.550 BCE 5 15 O No Coursework

Writing History 5 30 O No Coursework, other

Age of Cicero 6 30 O No Written examination

Alexander the Great 6 30 O No Written examination

Augustus: power & propaganda 6 30 O No Written examination

Describing Constantinople 6 30 O No Written examination

Greek Religion 6 30 O No Written examination, coursework

The Hellenistic Near East 6 30 O No Written examination

The history and theory of ancient slavery 6 30 O No Written examination

Persia and the Achaemenid Empire 6 30 O No Written examination, coursework

Pagans, Christians and Jews in the Roman empire 6 30 O No Written examination

The Rise of Rome c. 650-70 BC 6 30 O No Written examination

Year Two optional modules:



















Modern Greek language stage one 5 15 O No Written and oral examinations

Adventures in Ancient Greek Drama 5 15 O No Written examination

The Ancient & Early Medieval Book 5 15 O No Written examination


The Archaeology of Ancient Greece 5 15 O No Coursework

Art & Power in the Age of Alexander (Hellenistic Art I) 5 15 O No Coursework

The Art of Acquisition: Conquest, Collection & the Rise of

Rome (Hellenistic Art II) 5 15 O No Coursework

Bread & Circuses: Roman Entertainment & Spectacle 5 15 O No Coursework

Building Rome 5 15 O No Coursework


The City of Rome 5 15 O No Coursework

Constantinople: Imperial Capital - Medieval Metropolis 5 15 O No Coursework, written examination

Cosmos & Body: Presocratics & Hippocratics 5 15 O No Written examination, coursework

Death in Greek Literature 5 15 O No Written examination, coursework

Death in Greek Myth & Thought 5 15 O No Written examination, coursework


Early Greece from Troy to Marathon 5 15 O No Coursework
















Exploring the King’s Play 5 15 O No Written examination

Female Voices in Greek & Latin Literature 5 15 O No Written examination

Forms of Discovery: Hardy, Cavafy & the Modern Short

Poem 5 15 O No Coursework

From Sulla to Caesar: the Fall of the Roman Republic 5 15 O No Coursework

Grand Tour: Antiquities in London from the Enlightenment

to the Present Day 5 15 O No Coursework

Greek Architecture 5 30 O No Written examination

Greek Drama 5 30 O No Written examination

Greek Language 3A 5 30 O No Written examination

Greeks on Being Good (& Evil) 5 15 O No Written examination, coursework

Icons & Idols: The Image of Christ & the Classical Origins

of Early Christian Art 5 15 O No Coursework

Introductory Greek Texts I (Prose) 5 15 O No Written examination

Introductory Greek Texts II (Verse) 5 15 O No Written examination, other

Introductory Greek Texts III (Prose) 5 15 O No Written examination

Introductory Greek texts IV (Verse) 5 15 O No Written examination

Introductory Latin Texts I (Prose) 5 15 O No Written examination, other

Introductory Latin Texts II (Verse) 5 15 O No Written examination, other

Introductory Latin Texts III (Prose) 5 15 O No Written examination

Introductory Latin Texts IV (Verse) 5 15 O No Written examination

The Late Roman World, AD 337-425 5 15 O No Coursework
















Latin Language 3A 5 30 O No Written examination

Mapping Society & the Past: Historians & Sophists 5 15 O No Written examination, coursework

The Medieval Book 5 15 O No Coursework; written examination

Museums of London: a cultural history 5 15 O No Coursework

Myth & Literature: Ancient Stories, Modern Meanings 5 15 O No Coursework

Narrative Literature in Antiquity 5 30 O No Written examination


Presocratics, Hippocratics & Sophists 5 30 O No Written examination

Roman Architecture 5 30 O No Written examination

Roman Art 5 30 O No Written examination

Roman Art I: Art, Power & Authority 5 15 O No Coursework

Roman Art II: Art in the Private Sphere 5 15 O No Coursework


Roman Drama 5 30 O No Written examination

Roman Drama I: The Theatre at Rome 5 15 O No Coursework

Roman Drama II: Selected Plays 5 15 O No Coursework

Roman London 5 15 O No Coursework

Roman Love Elegy 5 15 O No Written examination

Roman Ostia 5 15 O No Coursework

Sex & the Symposium: The Evidence of Athenian Painted

Pottery 5 15 O No Coursework
















The Trial & Death of Socrates 5 15 O No Coursework

Virgil’s Aeneid 5 15 O No Written examination

Who Needs Myth? 5 15 O No Written examination



All Level 5 & 6 modules in the Faculty of Arts and

Humanities or Global Institutes, with the approval of the

programme convenor 5

15 or

30 O No Various

Final Year

Dissertation (undergraduate Classics) 6 30 O No Dissertation

Students must take at least 60 credits from list:








The History & Theory of Ancient Slavery 6 30 O No Written examination

Pagans, Christians and Jews in the Roman Empire 6 30 O No Written examination

Persia and the Achaemenid Empire 6 30 O No Written examination, coursework
















Rise of Rome c. 650-70 BC 6 30 O No Written examination




Early Greece from Troy to Marathon 5 15 O No Coursework

From Sulla to Caesar 5 15 O No Coursework

The Late Roman World 5 15 O No Coursework





Modern Greek language 5 15 O No Written and oral examinations

UCL Group 3 Ancient History modules 6

15 or

30 O No Various

Final Year optional modules:


Greek language 1 5 30 O No Written examination

Latin language 1 5 30 O No Written examination


















Archaeology of the Western Roman Provinces 6 30 O No Coursework, written examination

Art & Archaeology of the Early Greek State, 1200-600 BC 6 30 O No Written examination

Augustine & His World 6 30 O No Written examination


Becoming like God in Greek & Roman Philosophy 1: From

Presocratics to Aristotle 6 15 O No Coursework

Becoming like God in Greek & Roman Philosophy 2:

Stoics, Epicureans, Platonists & Church Fathers 6 15 O No Coursework

The Classical Art of the Body: Greek Sculpture 6 15 O No Coursework

The Classical Art of the Body: Greek Sculpture & it’s

Legacy 6 15 O No Written examination, coursework

The Classical Tradition 6 30 O No Written examination

Constantine & his Historians 6 15 O No

Coursework, text commentary

exercise

Conversion in the Ancient World 6 30 O No Written examination

Descent to the Underworld; Transformations of a Myth 6 15 O No Coursework


Frontiers of the Roman Empire 6 30 O No Written examination, coursework

Greek Literature & Culture Under the Roman Empire 6 30 O No Written examination

Greek Pottery & Painting 800-300BC 6 30 O No Written examination


Greek Religion to the End of the Archaic Period 6 30 O No Written examination, coursework
















Greek Sculpture 750-300BC 6 30 O No Written examination

Greek Texts V (Poetry) 6 15 O No Written examination

Greek Texts VI (Drama) 6 15 O No Written examination

Greek Texts VII (Poetry) 6 15 O No Written examination

Greek Texts VIII (Poetry) 6 15 O No Written examination

Greek Texts IX (Prose) 6 15 O No Written examination

Greek Texts X (Prose) 6 15 O No Written examination


The history and theory of ancient slavery 6 30 O No Written examination

An Introduction to Classical Reception Studies in Sixteen

Encounters 6 30 O No Coursework

Island living in the Eastern Mediterranean 6 30 O No Coursework, written examination

Language Politics & Ideologies: Greek, European, Global

Contexts 6 15 O No Coursework

Latin Texts V (Poetry) 6 15 O No Written examination

Latin Texts VI (Prose) 6 15 O No Written examination

Latin Texts VII (Poetry) 6 15 O No Written examination

Latin Texts VIII (Prose) 6 15 O No Written examination

Latin Texts IX (Prose) 6 15 O No Written examination

Latin Texts X (Verse) 6 15 O No Written examination

Latin Texts XI (Prose) 6 15 O No Written examination
















Latin Texts XII (Verse) 6 15 O No Written examination

Living for Ever: fame & Glory from Homeric Heroes to

Roman Emperors (& Beyond) 6 30 O No Written examination

Medicine and society in the ancient world 6 15 O No Written examination, coursework

Medicine and society in the medieval world 6 15 O No Written examination, coursework

Medieval Cyprus: art and architecture 6 15 O No Coursework, written examination

Neronian Literature & Culture 6 30 O No Written examination

Origins of Nations & Nationalism: Identity in the

Hellenistic World 6 15 O No Coursework

Pagans, Christians & Jews in the Roman Empire 6 30 O No Written examination

Pausanias & the Archaeology of Greece 6 30 O No Written examination

Performance Literature in Antiquity 6 30 O No Written examination

Persia & the Achaemenid Empire 6 30 O No Coursework, written examination

Plato’s Myths: the Soul, Desire & the Beyond 6 30 O No Written examination

Religion & Politics in Archaic & Classical Greece 6 30 O No Written examination

Rise of Rome, c. 650 to 70 BC 6 30 O No Written examination

Roman Religions: continuity & change 6 30 O No Coursework, written examination

Romanticism & Revolution: Byron, the Shelleys & Greece 6 15 O No Coursework

Theory of Literature 6 30 O No Written examination

Values & Subversion in Roman Literature & Society 6 30 O No Written examination

Warfare in the Ancient World 6 30 O No Written examination, coursework
















UCL Group 3 Ancient History modules 6

15 or

30 O No Various

All Level 5 & 6 modules in the Faculty of Arts and

Humanities or Global Institutes, with the approval of the

programme convenor 5, 6

15 or

30 O No Various

20. Marking criteria

All modules will be marked in accordance with the Faculty’s marking criteria where such exists, or else in accordance with the College’s generic marking criteria.

Documents

PROGRAMME APPROVAL FORM€¦ · depends on proper interaction between in-depth training in a skill, and the intellectual training common to all Humanities degrees. At the heart of