131-043 Roman History: Three Centuries of Empire

Formerly available as 131-234/334. Students who have completed 131-234 or 131-334 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually 25 points of first-year history, see Prerequisites.

This subject moves from the Augustan Principate to the age of Diocletian and Constantine. How efficient was the dynastic and military monarchy established by Augustus? How important were the characters of individual emperors? How well or badly was the Roman world ruled? How far does the 3rd century constitute a crisis? How was the empire then restructured and converted to Christianity? Students will focus on questions of historical method: How does one control sources subject to heavy political and religious bias? On completion of the subject students should have a good knowledge of the history of the Roman world in its golden age and subsequent transformation.

• develop research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

• demonstrate critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• demonstrate written communication through essay preparation and writing;

• develop time management and planning through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion.

A written essay of 2500 words 50% (due mid-semester), an exam essay 1500 words 40% (due end of semester, tutorial attendance and contribution 10%.