Undergraduate Modules

The Use of Sources             

MODULE CODE:       5AH0120

OPTION: AH

TAUGHT: Michaelmas term

MODULE AUTHORS:  Drs James Richardson (module organiser), Errietta Bissa

LEVEL:  5     

CREDITS: 20                               

TEACHING METHODS:

Lectures:  20 hours (10%)

Seminars: 4 hours (2%)

Field visits: n/a

Directed Learning: 50 hours(25%)

JACS CODE:     V110

AIM(S)

To enable students to:

• become familiar with the different types of evidence that are available for the ancient world
• become aware of the different strengths and weakness of each of these different types of evidence
• analyse and assess the value of the ancient evidence
• be able to employ the different types of evidence available in order to answer historical questions

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this module all students should be able to: 

A. Subject specific skills and knowledge:

• demonstrate an awareness of the range of evidence which is available to historians of the ancient world
• demonstrate an awareness of the different strengths and weaknesses of this evidence, and the limitations of its use
• evaluate and critically analyse different pieces of evidence
• use difference pieces of evidence, and different types of evidence in conjunction with other evidence in order to solve historical problems

B. Transferable skills and knowledge:

• demonstrate appropriate written skills
• present written work in a manner appropriate for a relevant/professional audience
• access and employ the relevant e-resources for the course
• demonstrate their critical, analytical and problem-solving skills
• demonstrate independent learning skills through the use of the library and electronic resources

CONTENT

The Use of Sources is the compulsory core module for Single Honours Ancient History, Single Honours Ancient History and Archaeology and Single Honours Ancient and Medieval History.  The aim of the course is to introduce students to the principal vehicles for the study of ancient history, and to make them aware of the advantages and disadvantages, and the strengths and weaknesses, of each as tools for the ancient historian.  The course also seeks to familiarise students with the differing methodologies employed in their use.  The five ‘types’ of evidence to be discussed are: literary evidence, iconographical evidence, numismatic evidence (coins), epigraphic evidence (inscriptions), and the evidence of material culture.  The course will include three case studies, each of which is designed to show how these different types of evidence can be combined, and how they can be employed to solve historical problems.

ASSESSMENT

Examination: n/a

Coursework:  four 1,500 word studies (25% each)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Essential

n/a

Recommended

• Bodel, J., ed., (2001), Epigraphic Evidence: Approaching History from Inscriptions, London: Routledge
• Crawford, M. H. (1983), Sources for Ancient History, Cambridge: CUP
• Howgego, C. (1997), Ancient History from Coins, London: Routledge
• Lewis, S. (2002), The Athenian Woman: an iconographic handbook, London: Routledge
• Pelling, C. (2000), Literary Texts and the Greek Historian, London: Routledge
• Potter, D.S. (1999), Literary Texts and the Roman Historian, London: Routledge

Updated: 09/09/2009

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