Centre for Roman Studies

M.A. in the City of Rome

Offered by the departments of Classics and Archaeology at the University of Reading.

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Aims

This course introduces students to the skills required to study the City of Rome. In order to do this most effectively, all students spend two months in Rome itself. Students spend the first two terms in acquiring techniques for research in this field, in order to make the most of the time available in Rome. This includes an introduction to the Italian language, necessary not only for communicating in Italy, but also for reading excavation reports and other material in Italian.

The course is taught by specialists in the field: Dr Janet DeLaine (Archaeology) and Dr Ray Laurence (Classics) in Reading. In Rome the course is under the general direction of Professor Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, Director of the British School at Rome, and is taught each year by a guest lecturer who is a specialist in the city of Rome. Further academic advice may be sought from other specialists in the Centre for Roman Studies at Reading. The course is intended to give a strong background for students considering research degrees (Ph.D).

Structure of the MA

• Research Methods

  This unit is designed to broaden the knowledge and ability gained at undergraduate level according to the needs of the student. Teaching is based on seminars and introduces basic research skills such as bibliography and the use of computers, plus specialist techniques. An essential part of this unit is the language element, in most cases Italian.

• Approaches to Rome

  This unit introduces the main literary, epigraphic and archaeological sources for the City of Rome, together with theoretical approaches to this material. Seminars on thematic and interdisciplinary topics provide practice in the use o f different types of evidence.

  
• The City of Rome

  This unit is taught in Rome at the British School over a period of two months. Included within the course are a series of site visits and associated seminar work. The students pictured are visiting the theatre at Tusculum.

• Dissertation

  The final element of the MA arises out of the work done earlier in Reading and Rome and is on a subject of your choice.

Assessment

Performance is assessed on the basis of the work submitted during the course. For Research Methods, you will be expected to write two 3,000 word assignments based on work presented in seminars. The language component will be assessed by written and oral tests. The Approaches to Rome unit is assessed by two 4-5,000 word essays, and for the City of Rome you submit a further 4-5,000 word essay and present two seminar papers. The final piece of assessment is a dissertation of up to 20,000 words. There are no examinations.

Timetable

The MA in the City of Rome runs from October for 12 months.

Research Methods and Approaches to Rome are taught in Reading from October to the end of April. The City of Rome element is taught at the British School at Rome (April-June). The dissertation is completed over the summer.

Facilities

The University Library at Reading has a good working collection in both Roman archaeology and history, while Reading is ideally located for easy access to research libraries in Oxford and London (c. 30 minutes by train). In addition, the Centre has access to the resources of both the Archaeology and Classics Departments, including Autocad, CD-ROM and Internet, while the University Computer Services provides further facilities. The British School at Rome also offers adequate computer support. More importantly, there is ample opportunity in Rome to use the unique libraries of the British School and other institutions.

Funding and Scholarships

UK students are eligible for funding from the British Academy, and the Centre itself can award scholarships to both home and overseas students.

Admissions

Applications should be made via the Sub-Dean, Faculty of Letters and Social Sciences, The University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AA. Applications are accepted as late as 1 August for UK applications, 1 June for overseas applicants.

Any enquiries about the course should in the first instance be made to: Dr. Ray Laurence, Director, Centre for Roman Studies, Department of Classics, The University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AA, UK., or by email lkslaure@reading.ac.uk.

For further information please contact Ray Laurence at lkslaure@reading.ac.uk

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