Course content

The study of the Roman empire is foundational for understanding the historical development of the Mediterranean region and Europe. This course will focus on:

  • the character of the Roman empire during the Imperial period.
  • forms of governance and administration, both central and local.
  • in what ways the empire affected the provinces, conquered regions, and the Romans themselves.

Most emphasis is placed on the period from Augustus to Severus Alexander (c. 31 BCE - 235 CE). The course focuses primarily on understanding the politics, society, economy and culture of the Roman empire. In this context, the crucial relationship between the sources, social conditions and political institutions, and the models and theories used modern researchers to understand these phenomena will be discussed. The pensum is composed of both primary source material and modern articles and books.

Learning outcome

In studying this course, you will:

  • acquire knowledge about ancient Roman society under imperial rule.
  • become familiar with the different source materials which can be used to study Roman society and the challenges associated with research from these sources.
  • combine knowledge of different areas of the Roman world and empire into a holistic view of Roman society as it changes from the first to the third centuries CE.
  • be able to analyse some central historical issues related to the Roman empire.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.

  • We recommend that students have taken at least 30 credits at 1000 level (not necessarily in history) before they start with subjects at 2000 level.
  • History subjects at level 2000 are advanced subjects that require established study habits and basic knowledge of history.
  • Good reading skills in English are required.

Overlapping courses

Teaching

This course will be taught through a combination of lectures and group-teaching. The teaching schedule is available on the semester page.

Obligatory assessment: Students must pass one compulsory mid-term commentary (of approx. 2 normal pages of 2,300 characters without spaces) on a short extract from a primary source. Students will receive feedback on this assessment. If the submission is not approved for academic reasons, the student has one week to revise and improve the assessment. It is the student’s responsibility to ascertain whether the obligatory assessment has been approved or not.

The obligatory assessment must be approved in order for the student to qualify for the final exam.

An approved obligatory assessment is valid for the next two semesters in which the course is taught. Exceptions may be made where the form of assessment, teaching plan, or subject organisation changes significantly.

Examination

The course is assessed by a?three-day take-home exam.?Your paper must not exceed 4500 words, notes included. Attachments and/or bibliography are not included in the word count.?? ?

Language of examination

You can answer the exam in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Common Student System) May 3, 2024 6:16:34 PM

Facts about this course

Level
Bachelor
Credits
10
Teaching
Spring and autumn

The course is offered irregularly.

Examination
Spring and autumn
Teaching language
English

Contact

Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History