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GRC40390

Academic Year 2025/2026

Classics in Action (GRC40390)

Subject:
Greek & Roman Civilization
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Classics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Joanna Day
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Although focused on past societies, Classics is a vibrant contemporary discipline. This module introduces students to some of the current modes of engagement with the Classical past. You will learn to critically evaluate current research and reflect on your own relationship with the discipline, while enhancing your communication skills. You will attend a number of research seminars in Classics during the trimester and will engage with the unique resource that is the UCD Classical Museum. Home to over two thousand Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Cypriot artefacts from around the ancient Mediterranean, the collection is Ireland’s only bespoke Classical museum. Class sessions will provide support for your independent research, group work, reflections, and hands-on interaction with the Museum’s collection as well as covering key topics such as ethics and communicating about the past.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students will have:
• developed skills in critical thinking and active listening
• practiced situating research within its wider disciplinary context
• increased self-awareness as a developing scholar in Classics
• gained an understanding of how to communicate research successfully to a variety of audiences in writing, orally, and via digital media
• learned how to work successfully in a collaborative project
• enhanced skills in independent research

Indicative Module Content:

Content is provided partly by a series of research seminars and so varies according to speaker. Instruction in the history of the Classical Museum and its collection, as well as artefact types will be provided.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

100
Autonomous Student Learning

76
Seminar (or Webinar)

24
Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is delivered by members of the School of Classics and guest lecturers in the UCD Research Seminar series and other academic seminars. Class sessions are in a weekly two-hour seminar format. There is no formal class in the weeks when the Classics Research Seminar is on but you are expected to attend these instead, and participate in other seminars online or in nearby universities throughout the trimester. Some sessions will be held in the UCD Classical Museum, and students will carry out independent research in small groups.

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
Reflective Assignment: A reflective report for three research seminars attended during the trimester. Week 5, Week 9, Week 15 Graded No
45
 No
Group Work Assignment: Students will work in small groups to produce a digital resource for the UCD Classical Museum Week 14 Graded No
55
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn 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
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual feedback will be provided through Brightspace within 20 working days of the submission deadline of each of the reflective reports; general feedback will be given in class. Feedback will be provided for the digital resource through Brightspace, and peer grading will be implemented also.

Name Role
Dr Bridget Martin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 15:00 - 16:50
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