A Cultural History of the Ancient World 2: The Hellenistic World, Italy and Rome

Course

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/L_AABAAGO102

Course Objective

Upon completion of this course, students will:Have a basic knowledge and understanding of the main cultural and historical developments in Italy and the wider Mediterranean world in the period between ca. 1100 BCE and CE 400Be able to place these developments in time and spaceHave a firm grasp of the chronological framework of this periodKnow and can apply the essential terms, notions, concepts and stylistic characteristics current in contemporary scholarship in this fieldHave experience in tackling cultural-historical problems from an interdisciplinary angle, using archaeological, textual and art historical sourcesRecognize a core group of items (objects and events) from images or basic descriptions, and describe their basic parameters (like date, maker(s) or protagonist, location etc.)

Course Content

This course offers an overview of the major historical and cultural developments in Italy and the Roman world between ca. 1100 BCE and CE 400, and traces the intensifying interaction of Rome with the wider Hellenistic and Mediterranean world. Recurring themes are (1) the emergence and development of states and political systems, in particular the Etruscan city-states, the Roman republic and the Roman empire; (2) how developments in different parts of the Mediterranean were interrelated; and (3) the interplay between material culture and mental concepts in these developments. In addition to the lectures, you work on assignments that help you to further explore specific topics, to relate theory to practice, and to work with written sources (in translation) and original materials from the collection of the Allard Pierson.

Teaching Methods

Lectures twice a week (2x 2 hours/week); seminar once every two weeks (2 hours).

Method of Assessment

Individual or group assignments (museum presentations) in seminars (25%);Midterm exam in week 3 (30%);Final exam in week 7 (45%).To pass the course, all assignments have to be completed. This course is part of the learning path Academic Skills of the BA programmes Archaeology, Classics (GLTC) and Ancient Studies (Oudheidwetenschappen). Its students will be specifically trained in communicating with a wider, non-specialist audience in their museum assignment. The resit regulations regarding the assignments are specified in the study manual.

Literature

De Blois, L. & R. J. van der Spek 2019: An Introduction to the Ancient World (3rd revised edition), Taylor & Francis, Abingdon.Steven L. Tuck, A History of Roman Art, (Wiley Blackwell), Oxford 2021.Selection of articles provided in pdf.

Target Audience

First-year ACASA students of Classics, Archaeology, and Ancient Studies. The course can also be followed as an elective, as part of a minor or in an exchange program.

Custom Course Registration

First year ACASA students are automatically placed. Other students can register for this course via UvA https://glass.uva.nlVU students who would like to follow this course as an elective need to request a guest registration at the UvA. See for more information: https://www.uva.nl/en/education/other-programmes/electives/electives.html Please note:Course registration periods between VU and UvA differ.This course is scheduled at the University of Amsterdam.

Additional Information

This course is part of a joined programme by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) and the University of Amsterdam (UvA). It is taught at a UvA location. For the course schedule see https://rooster.uva.nl/
Academic year1/09/2431/08/25
Course level6.00 EC

Language of Tuition

  • English

Study type

  • Bachelor