CLAS 3028 - Cities Silk & Spice Routes in Roman Archaeology

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

The world of the Roman Empire was culturally and geographically diverse with a 'globalised' economy. This course explores this internationalised world, and the effects of cultural interactions between Rome and her neighbours and subjects by focussing on the archaeological evidence from a selection of cities along the famous silk and spice route(s) that led eastwards, beyond the borders of the Empire. What does the rich cultural diversity of cities such as Dura-Europus in Syria or Alexandria in Egypt tell us about Roman provincial life, about the processes by which cultures evolve? The first part of the course will provide background to two themes: 1) the Hellenistic origins of these cities, and 2) 'mainstream' trends in Roman material culture of the 1st-3rd centuries AD. We will then explore in detail the architecture, sculpture, pottery and other forms of material culture from cities made famous by the spice and silk routes. These include Palmyra, Dura-Europus, Petra and of course Alexandria. Sites beyond Rome's borders may also be included (such as Hatra). Some classes will be held in the Museum of Classical Archaeology. Students will benefit from having completed The Art and Archaeology of Rome, and a certain basic knowledge of the earlier period will be assumed. Note that regular attendance at lectures and tutorials is compulsory, since all contain images which may be included in exams.

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Course Details

Course Code	CLAS 3028
Course	Cities Silk & Spice Routes in Roman Archaeology
Coordinating Unit	Historical and Classical Studies
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	At least 6 units of Level II undergraduate study including at least 3 units of Level II Classics courses
Incompatible	CLAS 2028
Assessment	Museum research (500 words) 5%, Tutorial paper (1000 words) 10%, Essay (2250 words) 35%, Exam 40%, Visual test 10%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Margaret O'Hea

Contact details and weekly consultation hours will be posted up on MyUni for this course.

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1	identify the key elements of material culture - art, architecture and artefacts - which are typical of the cultures of cities in the eastern Roman empire along the silk and spice routes, from the 1st c BC to (approximately) the 3rd century AD
2	demonstrate a scholarly approach to and apply appropriate methodology for the archaeological interpretation of material evidence
3	understand the key problems and issues in identifying the nature and role of the so-called “silk route” and “spice route” out of the Roman empire
4	address wider questions of the ancient Roman economy, cultural interactions and the processes of cultural change using archaeological evidence
5	engage productively and respectfully with their peers via problem solving and the sharing of information
6	use learning technologies relevant to the University’s learning environment

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-4, 6
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	2-4
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	5
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	4
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	5

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Textbook:
Ball, W. (2002) Rome in the East. The transformation of an empire. (This is an ebook in the library so no need to buy)

Recommended (if you can get it, as there is no digital version other than Googlebooks preview)
Butcher, K. (2004 or later edn) Roman Syria and the Near East.

Recommended Resources

Other online material will be made available in MyUni at the start of semester.

Online Learning

Reading material, web-based data and other material will be made available online in MyUni for this course.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Up to two prerecorded lectures per week, plus weekly Flipped class and a tutorial. Most tutorials will deepen and extend students' understanding of topics from the lectures and textbooks; some tutorials will broaden students' perspectives, dealing
with areas which lectures cannot cover. Some tutorials will be held in the Classics Departmental Museum.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

WORKLOAD (Weekly)

Total Hours

12 weeks x 3 structured learning hours (average) 36

4 reading hrs pw 48

2 research hours pw (can include reading) 24

4 hrs assignment preparation 48

Learning Activities Summary

Lecture topics will vary from year to year; a precise guide will be available at the start of semester on MyUni. They will, however, broadly cover the following:
1) Nabataea and the Spice Trade
2) The Decapolis
3) Syria
4) Palmyra and Dura-Europus

Specific Course Requirements

You should watch, take notes from and revise the prerecorded lectures. Regular attendance at the flipped class and tutorials is required for this course, as images which are used in both will be examined at the end of semester in the visual exam, and may also form part of the formal written examination material.
Tutorial programme:
Students should note that each must make an oral presentation (not assessed) of his or her tutorial paper at the tutorial for that particular topic. Submission of that tutorial paper must be made online via MyUni - see MyUni for more details.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Due	Weighting	Learning Outcome
ca 500 word museum research	Formative and Summative	see MyUni	5%	1-4, 5
ca 1000 word tutorial paper	Formative and Summative	see MyUni	10%	1-4, 5
ca 2250 word research essay	Formative and Summative	see MyUni	35%	1-4
Visual test (one hour)	Summative	Last Week (Seminar) in semester	10%	1-4
2 hour written exam	Summative	During university exam period	40%	1-4, 6

Check with MyUni for any updates about the format of the exam.

Assessment Related Requirements

Regular attendance is required for all weekly classes (flipped and tutorial). You must watch the weekly prerecorded lectures regularly. You will only gain access to the material in the next week's module if you have watched the prerecorded lecture(s) for that week.
Ensure that you not only watch the prerecorded material, but take notes, and revise them. This material is the core of the written examination and - along with anything shown in tutorials and the flipped class - in the visual test.

Assessment Detail

Museum artefact research (ca 500 words): students work in Museum to write up a catalogue entry that is
submitted online =5% weighting
2250 word essay: students will be required to write an essay on a topic provided at the start of semester on MyUni (reading list provided). Due date later in semester in MyUni = 35% weighting
Tutorial paper ca 100 words: one tutorial paper ca 1000 words from questions provided in the tutorial programme (on MyUni with reading list provided). Submitted on the Monday of the week when the topic is discussed in class =10% weighting
Visual test: a test of 30 images taken from both the lecture and tutorial programme, to be held at the
end of semester and administered by the Dept - 10% weighting
Exam: a 2-hour exam with essay-type answers, to be held at the end of semester - 40% weighting.

Submission

Submission via MyUni portal,

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator