BA (Hons) Ancient and Medieval History Bachelor's degree at Royal Holloway, University of London

Royal Holloway's first year foundation History module covering broad sweep of human history, introducing students to different topics and themes they will encounter throughout degree. Covers historians' discussions of themes like Revolution or Gender, sources used, public history dimension, and the practice and use of history beyond the academy.

Develops understanding of the Greek World in the Classical Period. Covers key events in Greek History from 580 to 323 BC in their historical context. Considers historical problems and critically examines information in Greek sources and modern historians' works. Analyses range of source materials including inscription, historiography and oratory.

Develops understanding of development of Roman politics and society from early Rome through to emergence of Medieval World. Examines key themes in interpretation of particular periods of Roman history, including rise and fall of Republic and Imperial Monarchy. Considers difficulties and methodological issues in interpretation of Roman Historiography.

Develops understanding of framework of Greek literary history from Homer to Heliodorus. Covers chronology of major authors and works and their place in larger patterns of Greek cultural and political history. Examines ancient literary texts in translation, considering issues in key genres including epic, lyric, drama, oratory, philosophical writing, historiography, Hellenistic poetry, and the Greek novel.

Develops understanding of history of Roman literature from its beginnings until end of Republic. Covers major Republican Roman authors Plautus and Terence, Lucretius, Catullus and Cicero. Considers issues in earlier history of Roman literature, including relationship with Greek models, question of Roman originality, literature and politics, use of literature for scientific or philosophical exposition, and development of narrative style.

Develops understanding of history of Roman literature in early imperial period. Covers work of five authors selected from Julio-Claudian period, considering ways Roman literature responded to new political conditions established by Principate. Develops skills in interpretation, analysis and argument applied to detailed study of texts in translation and general issues.

Develops understanding of ancient philosophical ideas and ways in which philosophical arguments are presented and analysed. Covers thought and significance of principal ancient philosophers from Presocratics to Aristotle, examining sample texts such as Plato's Laches and treatment of virtue of courage in Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics.

Develops understanding of how classical Greek and Roman societies developed concept and role of individual as part of wider community. Covers Greek and Roman education and formation of ideal behaviour and identity. Considers role of rhetoric, competition within societies through literary and dramatic contests, sport, military life and religion, and role of individual in community of cosmos and place of others including lower classes, women, children, elderly and slaves.

Develops understanding of how different classical disciplines interrelate. Focuses on specific academic skills such as avoiding plagiarism, approaching and evaluating range of ancient evidence, using library and other resources, critically evaluating modern scholarship and theoretical approaches, and relating academic study to employability.

Survey module covering principles of classical archaeology and archaeological material of ancient Greece. Familiarises students with material culture of Greek civilisation from Bronze Age to Hellenistic period. Examines principal forms of Greek art and architecture, stylistic development and social context, developments in political organisation and religious practice, and evidence for everyday life. Introduces basic methodological concepts and theoretical approaches.

Studies broad spectrum of archaeological evidence for Roman world. Provides introduction to main sources of archaeological evidence and key sites across Roman world. Familiarises students with principal forms and contexts of art and architecture development in Roman world; uses of material culture in studying history, society and technology during period c. 200 BC – c. AD 300. Develops critical skills in visual analysis.

Investigates origins of ideas about human rights and duties, revolution and democracy, consent and liberty. Studies key original texts from Plato and Aristotle in ancient world to Machiavelli, More, Hobbes, Locke and Enlightenment. Introduces political thinkers from Islamic world including al-Mawardi, Ibn Khaldun and Ibn Taymiyya. Focuses on close and careful reading of classical texts.

Covers early modern period as age of change, seen by many as beginning of modernity. Witnesses consolidation of national monarchies and central state, split of Christianity with Reformation, spread of Islam to Balkans, European expansion.

Unit of independent study under supervision of member of staff. Students required to write long essay of 8,000 to 10,000 words.