Explore UCD

UCD Home >

GRC20220

Academic Year 2024/2025

Greeks, Romans, and Barbarians (GRC20220)

Subject:
Greek & Roman Civilization
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Classics
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Joanna Day
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The civilisations of ancient Greece and Rome, championed now as ‘Classical’ and central to the development of ‘western civilisation’, were not isolated political entities but rather interacted with a wide range of other cultures around the Mediterranean from early in prehistory. Although these other cultures were sometimes dismissed as ‘barbarians’, the Classical world was entangled with them through networks of people, objects and ideas. This module explores these interconnections across time and space, considering diverse modes of connectivity (e.g. trade, warfare, exploration, reception) through a selection of case studies. To what extent we can approach ancient concepts of identity formation and alterity – the creation of the ‘other’ – will also be considered. Through textual, material, and iconographic evidence, students will gain core skills for Classics: experience of engaging critically with primary ancient sources as well as with modern scholarship and methodologies, and communicating clearly in oral, written and visual formats. Note - this is a Core module for Stage 2 BA Greek and Roman Civilisation students and Stage 2 BA Humanities Classics, Art History and Archaeology, and Classics, English and History students.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module students should be able to:

• synthesise information from a range of primary and secondary sources about ancient Mediterranean interaction and cultural identities
• evaluate ancient evidence, place it in its context, and be aware of appropriate methodologies for analysis
• critically engage with modern scholarship, demonstrating awareness and understanding of diverse academic viewpoints and interpretations, and assess their reliability
• apply this knowledge to submit written work that is cogently argued, backed up by evidence, well-presented, and documented in an academic format appropriate to the discipline
• present information succinctly and coherently with relevant graphics
• contribute to balanced and respectful discussions in lectures and tutorials

Indicative Module Content:

Case studies will focus on material culture, texts and iconography, and may include topics like:
Bronze Age Aegean interactions
'Barbarians' in Classical texts
Hellenistic Egypt
Reception of Classical texts

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

11
Tutorial

5
Specified Learning Activities

56
Autonomous Student Learning

30
Total

102

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and independent study. Lectures are delivered by faculty in the School of Classics, and tutorials provide a small-group setting for more discursive teaching and learning. Students are expected to engage fully with all class sessions and readings. The module develops academic writing and transferable skills such as critical thinking, engaging with problems, and synthesising knowledge to formulate arguments for verbal, written and image-based communication.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay of c.2500 words with supporting illustrations and bibliography. Week 14 Graded No
60
 No
Individual Project: Select one of the secondary sources from the list provided and design a poster using text and graphics to explain it to a wider, educated audience. Week 7 Graded No
40
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Martin Brady Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Joanna Day Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Philip De Souza Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Helen Dixon Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Aude Doody Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Jessica Doyle Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Christopher Farrell Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Michael Lloyd Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Suzanne Lynch Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Bridget Martin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr George Prekas Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Alexander Thein Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Eleanor Kellett Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 Tues 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.