Course Catalogue

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This course will explore the development of ancient science and technology and its interaction with ancient societies and the environment, focusing mainly on the Mediterranean area and the Near and Middle East. It takes a wide view of technology, ranging from the use of stone tools and fire by hominids through complex machines to the massive concrete domes and arched dams of the Romans, only bettered in modern times. The course will encompass material, textual and environmental evidence and approaches, and there will be the opportunity to develop specific skills in handling and interpreting material evidence for technology.

1x1 hr lecture; 1x1hr seminar per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus. This is one of the Honours options in Classics and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Classics, Archaeology and History and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

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The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Essay (3,000 words) - 50% 

■ Worksheet (1,500 words) - 25% 

■ Presentation (10 minutes) - 25% 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the Essay, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

■ There are no alternatives to the Worksheet, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

■ A Recorded Presentation or Written script of equivalent length or Power point with substantial notes as alternative to the presentation.

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.

[No exceptions]

This course provides the opportunity to:

■ study the nature and extent of technology in the ancient world, from basic tools to sophisticated machines

■ relate ancient technologies to their historical, social and environmental contexts

■ explore models for the diffusion and development of ancient technology

■ compare the characteristics of technology in the ancient Mediterranean with those in other periods

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

■ identify the main features of ancient technology in areas such as agriculture, warfare, the economy, education and entertainment

■ recognise the constraints on the dynamics that connected humans, technology and the environment in the ancient Mediterranean

■ use textual, material and environmental evidence to relate technology to its social context

■ explain orally and in written form the relationship between ancient technical theory and practice

■ analyse orally and in written form the impact of technology on the ancient environment and vice-versa

■ evaluate and apply theoretical and comparative models for technological diffusion and change