CL3LAE-Late Antique Egypt

Module Provider: Classics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Arietta Papaconstantinou
Email: a.s.papaconstantinou@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module studies the transformation of Egypt over four centuries, from being a province of the Roman Empire to being a province of the Caliphate, and makes intensive use of the invaluable source material represented by the papyri for the study of social history.

Aims:

The module aims to provide students with knowledge of the main issues in Late Antique Egyptian history and to familiarise them with the unique sources it is based on. It will encourage student research and the pursuit of specific personal interests within the remit of the module's topic.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:
- Describe, analyse and assess key issues pertaining to the history of the period examined.
- Locate, assemble and critically assess material on specific topics within the wider field studied
- Interpret primary sources of different natures, assess their respective relevance, identify the connections between them and use them to construct coherent arguments.
- Formulate and frame personal research questions
- Understand the terms and arguments of ongoing debates and take a critical position regarding them.

Additional outcomes:
The module will develop individual research skills in the use of databases, search for relevant information and synthesis; logical argumentation and deconstruction of unsound arguments; suspicion of arguments of authority; written and oral presentation skills.

Outline content:
The module will cover the social, economic, political, religious and cultural history of Egypt from the fourth to the eighth century, following the country through two important transformations, Early to Late Empire, and Late Empire to Caliphate. At the same time, it will address a number of key methodological issues such as long-term regional history, rhythms and modes of historical change, tension between central and local. A technical introduction to the sources and their proper use will be provided.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will be taught in ten two-hour sessions. These will include a mix of lecture, group work, oral presentations and exercises, working up to a final essay on a subject chosen at the beginning of term from a suggested list. Sessions will require prior background reading.