Ancient Cultures MSc
Approaching the Ancient World through Material Culture CLASSIC5065
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Humanities
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course introduces students to a variety of material sources, such as coins, architecture, statuary, grave-goods, and archaeological landscapes, for the cultures of the ancient world as well as to different ways of working with them, both theoretical and traditional within the disciplines of the Subjects involved. It foregrounds object handling and hands-on learning.
Timetable
1 x 2-hour session per week. A mixture of class-based seminars and hands-on sessions in museums or similar.
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
The standard assessments for this course are:
■ Essay (2,000 words) - 60%
■ Portfolio (1,300 words) - 40%
If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:
■ There is no alternative to the essay, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)
■ There is no alternative to the portfolio, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (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.
Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? No
It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.
[No exceptions]
Course Aims
This course aims to:
■ introduce students to a variety of material sources for the cultures of the ancient world
■ introduce students to different theoretical approaches to the material culture of the ancient world
■ give students the opportunity to learn through the handling of ancient objects
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ Handle a variety of ancient objects safely and correctly
■ Identify a variety of material sources for the cultures covered by the course and situate these in their historical and cultural contexts.
■ Analyse and evaluate different types of material remains as historical sources.
■ Compare objects produced by different ancient cultures as examples of different attitudes to various areas of life
■ Present their arguments lucidly both orally and in writing with due regard for scholarly literature and academic formalities