Course Catalogue

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This course surveys ideas about the heavens in the ancient Mediterranean (e.g. Greece, Rome, Egypt, Babylon) and explores the development of the disciplines of astronomy, astrology and meteorology in both theory and practice. It offers the chance to read some of the foundational Roman texts in the Latin original.

20x1 hr seminars as scheduled in MyCampus over 10 weeks.

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

Stargazing: Astronomy, Astrology and Meteorology in Antiquity (Hons)

None

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Essay (2,000 words) - 50%

■ Annotated commentary on a selected passage of Latin literature (2,000 words) - 50%

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 assessments but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

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

This course aims to:

■ Enable students to become acquainted with Greek and Roman technical writing in respect of the disciplines of astronomy, astrology, and meteorology, and of individual texts in particular;

■ Engage closely with the literary, cultural and social contexts of Greek and Roman technical writing in respect of these disciplines, and of individual texts in particular;

■ Translate a selection of ancient texts on astronomy, astrology, and meteorology.

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

■ Enable students to identify Greek and Roman technical writing and individual texts;

■ Place these works in their literary, cultural and social contexts;

■ Translate fluently and accurately from the prescribed texts into clear, appropriate English and comment intelligently on notable matters of form, style, and content;

■ Formulate their own interpretations of the sources and evidence, and present and argue them in a lucid and scholarly manner;