Bachelor of Ancient History and Archaeology

Modules

Year 1

Our first-year core modules are designed as an introduction. This means that even if you haven’t studied ancient history or archaeology before, we’ll build everyone's knowledge to the same level so you can progress through to year two.

You will take 120 credits of modules split as follows:

• Compulsory core modules (80 credits) – you will study two core modules which give an integrated introduction to the culture and history of Greece and Rome and their reception. You will also take core modules in archaeology, focusing on how we discover, excavate and record archaeological sites, and study elements of prehistoric and historic archaeology
• Ancient History route (0-40 credits) – if you choose not to study a language, you will take the Interpreting Ancient Art and Archaeology module plus a further 20 credits

Or:

• Classical language route (0-40 credits) – choose from this group if you wish to study either Latin or Greek

You’ll have at least 12 hours of timetabled contact a week through lectures, seminars and tutorials.

You must pass year one, but it does not count towards your final degree classification.

In the summer break, you will complete at least part of your required archaeological fieldwork placement.

Core modules

• Studying the Greek World
• Understanding the Past I – Introduction to Archaeology
• Understanding the Past II – Landscapes and Surveying
• Studying the Roman World
• Rome to Revolution: Historical Archaeology of Britain.
• Comparative World Prehistory

Ancient history route optional modules

If you choose not to study Latin or Greek, you will take the Interpreting Ancient Art and Archaeology module, plus a further 20 credits. 

• Interpreting Ancient Art and Archaeology
• Interpreting Ancient History
• Interpreting Ancient Literature

Classical language route optional modules
If you wish to study Latin or Greek, you will choose 40 credits from a range of language-specific modules appropriate to your prior language experience. Options range from beginners' level to advanced.

• Greek and Roman Mythology
• Beginners' Greek: 1
• Beginners' Greek: 2
• Beginners' Latin: 1
• Beginners' Latin: 2
• Greek Texts: 1
• Greek Texts: 2
• Latin Texts: 1
• Latin Texts: 2

Year 2

You will take 120 credits of modules split as follows:

• Compulsory core modules (40-60 credits) – cover the general principles, methods and theories of both subjects
• Optional modules (60-80) – you may choose from three groups. You may choose all from the integrated module group, or across all three, maintaining a mix of ancient history and archaeology modules
• Classical language route (0-40 credits) – you may begin or continue to study Ancient Greek or Latin at the appropriate level of prior experience. These modules will be taken in place of other ancient history modules

You’ll have at least 10 hours of timetabled contact a week through lectures, seminars and tutorials.

You must pass year two, which counts as 33% towards your final degree classification.

Core modules
Archaeology: Theory and Practice
And one or both of:

• Studying Classical Scholarship
• Extended Source Study

Ancient history and archaeology integrated modules
These modules are taught across the department and bring together archaeology texts and visual culture to study the ancient world.

Our Communicating the Past module allows you to research any archaeology or classics topic that interests you. You can experiment with new means of communicating research to diverse audiences.

These modules count towards your optional credits in either the ancient history and/or the archaeology optional modules groups.

Some will also be available in year three.

• Communicating the Past
• Britain in the Later Roman Empire (c. 250-450)
• The World of the Etruscans
• The Peloponnesian War
• Writing History in Ancient Rome
• Religion and the Romans
• Oedipus Through the Ages

Archaeology optional modules
Choose from a range which may include the following modules. You may also choose from the integrated module list above.

Modules not offered in year two may be offered in year three.

• Themes in Near Eastern Prehistory
• The Archaeology of Anglo-Saxon England
• The Silk Road: Cultural Interactions and Perceptions
• Britain in the Later Roman Empire (c. 250-450)
• The Origins and Rise of Aegean Civilisation
• Communicating the Past

Classical language route
You can also start or continue with Ancient Greek or Latin by choosing 40 credits of optional language modules.

• Intermediate Greek: 1
• Intermediate Greek: 2
• Intermediate Latin: 1
• Intermediate Latin: 2
• Beginners Greek for second and third years: 1 and 2
• Beginners Latin for second and third years: 1 and 2

Year 3

You will take 120 credits of modules split as follows:

• Compulsory core modules (40 credits) – you will undertake your own research project (dissertation) with the support of a member of staff. This could be on an archaeological or ancient history topic, or could combine the two
• Optional modules (80 credits) – you may choose from three groups. You may choose all from the integrated module group, or across all three, maintaining a mix of ancient history and archaeology modules
• Classical language route (0-40 credits) – you may begin or continue to study Ancient Greek or Latin at the appropriate level of prior experience. These modules will be taken in place of other classical civilisation modules

You’ll have at least eight hours of timetabled contact a week through lectures, seminars and tutorials.

You must pass year three, which counts as 67% towards your final degree classification.

Core modules
Classics and Archaeology Dissertation
Or:

Dissertation in Ancient History
Ancient history and archaeology integrated modules
These modules are taught across the department and bring together archaeology texts and visual culture to study the ancient world.

These modules count towards your optional credits in either the ancient history and/or the archaeology optional modules groups. Choose from modules not already taken in year two.

• From Petra to Palmyra: Art and Culture in the Roman Near East
• Augustus
• Jason and the Golden Fleece
• Greek Work, Class and the Economy: Good and Bad Strife

Archaeology additional optional modules
Choose from a range which may include the following modules. You may also choose from the integrated module list above.

Choose modules not already taken in year two.

• Themes in Near Eastern Prehistory
• The Archaeology of Anglo-Saxon England
• The Silk Road: Cultural Interactions and Perceptions
• Britain in the Later Roman Empire (c. 250-450)
• The Archaeology of Mycenaean Greece

Ancient history additional optional modules
Choose from a range which may include the following modules.

You may also choose from the integrated module list above.

Choose modules not already taken in year two.

• The Peloponnesian War
• Religion and the Romans
• Oedipus Through the Ages
• Britain in the Later Roman Empire (c. 250-450)
• The World of the Etruscans
• Writing History in Ancient Rome

Classical language route
You can also start or continue with Ancient Greek or Latin by choosing 40 credits of optional language modules in place of other classical civilisation optional modules.

• Intermediate Greek: 1
• Intermediate Greek: 2
• Intermediate Latin: 1
• Intermediate Latin: 2
• Advanced Greek: 1
• Advanced Greek: 2
• Advanced Latin: 1
• Advanced Latin: 2
• Beginners Greek for second and third years: 1 and 2
• Beginners Latin for second and third years: 1 and 2