Archaeology of Rome and the Roman Provinces - (course IV) classes

The material culture of the Roman Republic and Empire as investigated during archaeological fieldwork.

The idea of the Archaeology of Rome and the Roman provinces classes is to provide the students with a comprehensive overview on the material remains of Roman culture as well as the most important phases of development as seen in the provinces as well as the major sites such as Rome, Pompeii, Ostia and also Novae, where the University of Warsaw is conducting fieldwork. They will acquire knowledge and skills useful in contemporary research practice in the subject area. The participants will learn proper terminology, chronological systems and a grasp on academic writing.

In the exercises/classes the students are both given and chose subjects to work on and present these, either to the group or in written form. The written assignments are also an exercise in academic writing.

Vitruvius, De architectura libri decem

Vegetius, Epitoma Rei Militaris;

D.S. Potter (ed), A Companion To The Roman Empire (Blackwell Companions To The Roman World), Oxford, 2006;

Adkins, L., Adkins, R., Ancient Rome, (Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome, Updated Edition), New York, 2004;

M. Bishop, Handbook to Roman Legionary Fortresses

D. Campbell, Roman Legionary Fortresses 27BC-378AD

A. Goldsworthy, The Complete Roman Army.

J. Rüpke (ed.), A Companion to Roman Religion.

C. Bruun, J. Edmondson (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Roman Epigraphy, Oxford University Press, 2015

E. Luttwak, The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire,

Students will acquire knowledge of basic terminology related to the archaeology of Rome and the Roman provinces and will learn about the past living conditions. They will develop competence in critical analysis of information sources, and learn how to read and interpret academic publications and go through some excercises to write on their own (academic writing).

By the end of the semester they will be able to recognize, classify and provisionally date basic Roman structures and artefacts such as the major buildings in Rome and Pompei, various Limes sites as well as pottery, epigraphic monuments and religious concepts.

Participants will acquire both objective knowledge of facts and practical skills related to interpretation of archaeological data and presentation. They will learn the rules of academic discussion and will be given guidelines for preparation of a paper on a chosen subject (academic writing).

The student

knows and understands the basic methods of analysis and interpretation of various cultural products, sometimes specific to selected traditions or theories in the field of the archaeology of Rome and the Roman provinces (K_W09)

knows and understands the basic methods of analysis for Roman epigraphy and understands the basic types of Roman (Latin and Greek) texts and their role in the reconstruction of the past (K_W12)

can search, analyse, evaluate, select and use information about archaeological sources from Republican/Imperial Roman times and their context using literature and electronic media (K_U01)

can search, analyse, evaluate, select and use information contained in various sources enabling the reconstruction of the material past of Rome and the Roman provinces (K_U02)

can independently interpret archaeological sources from the area of the Roman Republic/Empire, choosing the right analytical methods, and present the results of their work (K_U03)

can recognize different types of epigraphic documents. (K_U08)

can use basic research terms and theoretical approaches specific to the archaeology of Rome and the Roman provinces (K_U09)

can identify different types of material culture products of the Roman world, including contexts and properly document them and perform critical analysis and interpretation (K_U10)

can identify, analyse and use source texts useful in the workshop and working environment of archaeologists studying Ancient Rome (K_U11)

can identify, analyse, use and classify archaeological sources (K_U12)

can detect simple relationships between artefacts and ancient cultural and social processes in the Roman world (K_U13)

can cite current research theses, formulate conclusions and select argumentative strategies in the field of the archaeology of Rome and the Roman provinces at an elementary level, as well as construct arguments and counterarguments (K_U15)

can communicate using various channels and communication techniques with specialists in the archaeology of Rome and the Roman provinces and related sciences (K_U16)

can prepare oral presentations on specific issues in the field of Roman archaeology (K_U17)

can listen, discuss and comprehend publications using specialist terminology specific to the field of Roman Archaeology in English at B2 level of the European Language Education Description System (K_U18)

can work in a team and communicate using the specialized terminology for the archaeology of Rome (K_U19)

Students' attendance involving active engagement in discussions is mandatory, however three absences per semester are allowed without justification.

The participants will gain knowledge and skills necessary in future research practice. The will exercise preparing and giving standard (conference) presentations. Other tasks – writing a review of a chosen article and an encyclopedia entry - should eventually be submitted in written form. A wide scope of examples of current academic writing will be provided to the participants so that they could choose their preferred style and attitude.

Scientific papers will be discussed in the classroom. Students will acquire the basic conceptual framework for the working knowledge of Roman archaeology. Subjects related to excavations, art and material culture will be covered.

To pass the classes/exercises, the students need to successfully provide the required presentations and written assignments.

Scientific papers will be discussed in the classroom. Students will acquire the basic conceptual

framework for the working knowledge of Roman archaeology. Subjects related to excavations,

art and material culture will be covered.