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CLAS 2008 - True Lies in the Roman Empire: Science and Fiction
University Course Planner The University of Adelaide Australia

CLAS 2008 - True Lies in the Roman Empire: Science and Fiction

Career: Undergraduate
Units: 3
Term: 3610
Campus: North Terrace
Contact: Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange: Yes
Available for Non-Award Study: Yes
Pre-Requisite: At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study including at least 3 units of Level I Classics courses
Incompatible: CLAS 2036
Assessment: Tutorial summary (500 words) 10%, Tutorial paper (1200 words) 20%, Research essay (2250 words) 30%, Exam 40%
Biennial Course: Course offered in even years
Syllabus:

In this course we will examine the history of key features of Roman cultural and social life during the 'golden age' of imperial Rome in the second century AD. We begin with a review of imperial expansion in the later first century AD, using the historian Tacitus both as a source for Roman views on their own imperialism and as an example of an historical genre that emphasised empirical data rather than overt political glorification of empire. We will then explore select intellectual and literary contributions of the late first and second centuries AD through the filter of 'fact and fiction'. This is the century of a developed interest in the application of empiricism to medicine and industry; an intense interest in the surrounding (conquered) natural world. It is also the century of the first 'science fiction' novel and more broadly of fiction-writing as a fully-developed and highly-prized literary genre. The contributions of Roman provincials to this impressive and popular cultural flowering will be discussed by detailed studies of works in the tutorial programme. Lastly, we will look at the social fabric of mainstream Roman society during this period: the nature of the Roman household, including marriage, romance and divorce. Using both legal texts and a selection of the literary texts already studied, we will also consider the position and role of slaves in the domestic life of Romans.

Course Fees

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Student Status

Domestic
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Commonwealth supported
Full fee paying

Study Level

Undergraduate
Postgraduate Coursework
Non Award

Program of Study

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Units
EFTSL
Amount
3
0.125
          
  


Course Outline

A Course Outline which includes Learning Outcomes, Learning Resources, Learning & Teaching for this course may be accessed here


Critical Dates

Term Last Day to Add Online Census Date Last Day to WNF Last Day to WF
3610 Mon 14/03/2016 Thu 31/03/2016 Fri 06/05/2016 Fri 10/06/2016


Class Details

Enrolment Class: Lecture
Class Nbr Section Size Available Dates Days Time Location
13794 LE01 72 29 1 Mar - 5 Apr Tuesday 1pm - 2pm Napier, 209, Lecture Theatre
3 Mar - 7 Apr Thursday 1pm - 2pm Napier, 209, Lecture Theatre
26 Apr - 31 May Tuesday 1pm - 2pm Napier, 209, Lecture Theatre
28 Apr - 2 Jun Thursday 1pm - 2pm Napier, 209, Lecture Theatre
Related Class: Tutorial
Class Nbr Section Size Available Dates Days Time Location
13790 TU01 25 4 1 Mar - 5 Apr Tuesday 2pm - 3pm Napier, 420, Stretton Room
26 Apr - 31 May Tuesday 2pm - 3pm Napier, 420, Stretton Room
13792 TU03 22 11 2 Mar - 6 Apr Wednesday 5pm - 6pm Lower Napier, LG12, Teaching Room
27 Apr - 1 Jun Wednesday 5pm - 6pm Lower Napier, LG12, Teaching Room
13793 TU04 25 14 4 Mar - 8 Apr Friday 11am - 12pm Barr Smith South, 2052, Teaching Room
29 Apr - 3 Jun Friday 11am - 12pm Barr Smith South, 2052, Teaching Room