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| Semester | spring semester 2015 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | William Graham Claytor (graham.claytor@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | The Roman Empire collected a vast amount of information about its subjects in order to control and tax the population, but also made a concerted effort to keep open channels of communication with the provinces as part of an ideology of consensual rule. This course explores how patterns of communication and the circulation of information shaped life in the Roman Empire. Topics include the languages and media of communication, the dissemination and reception of government edicts, imperial iconography and emperor worship, and archives and libraries. We will draw on a wide range ancient evidence, from literary sources to artwork, coins, inscriptions, and papyri in order to understand the full range of communicative practices in the Empire. Ultimately, we will ask: to what extent did these practices contribute to the integration, economic success, and longevity of the Roman Empire? |
| Learning objectives | The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the tools and methods of ancient history through a focus on Roman communicative practices. Students will be introduced to a wide range of ancient evidence and learn how to critically analyze this evidence in order to pose questions and produce arguments about the ancient world. They will also be encouraged to reflect on how the Rome's approach to language and communication compares with other imperial systems and modern multi-lingual states and political units. |
| Bibliography | C. Ando, Imperial Ideology and Provincial Loyalty in the Roman Empire (Berkeley 2000). W. Eck (ed.), Lokale Autonomie und römische Ordnungsmacht in den kaiserzeitlichen Provinzen vom 1. bis 3. Jahrhundert (München 1999). R. Haensch (ed.), Selbstdarstellung und Kommunikation: Die Veröffentlichung staatlicher Urkunden auf Stein und Bronze in der römischen Welt (München 2009). de Kleijn and Benoist (edd.), Integration in Rome and in the Roman world (Leiden/Boston 2014). C.F. Noreña, Imperial Ideals in the Roman West (Cambridge 2011). M. Peachin (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Social Relations in the Roman World (Oxford 2011). P. Zanker, Augustus und die Macht der Bilder, (München 1987) [5. Auflage, 2009]. |
| Comments | Die Unterrichtssprache wird vorwiegend Englisch sein, Referate und schriftliche Arbeiten können selbstverständlich auf Deutsch gehalten/geschrieben werden. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
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No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Einführungsmodul Alte Geschichte (Bachelor's degree program: Ancient Civilizations (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) Einführungsmodul Alte Geschichte (Bachelor's degree subject: Ancient Civilizations (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) Ergänzungsmodul Alte Geschichte (Bachelor's degree subject: Ancient Civilizations (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) Ergänzungsmodul Alte Geschichte (Bachelor's degree program: Ancient Civilizations (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) Grundmodul Alte Geschichte (Bachelor's degree subject: History (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) Modul Basis Alte Geschichte (Bachelor's degree subject: History) Modul Grundstudium Schwerpunkt Alte Geschichte (Bachelor's degree subject: Ancient Civilizations) Modul Grundstudium Schwerpunkt Alte Geschichte (Bachelor's degree program: Ancient Civilizations) Modul Römische Geschichte (Bachelor's degree program: Ancient Civilizations (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) Modul Römische Geschichte (Bachelor's degree subject: Ancient Civilizations (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) Modul Römische Geschichte BA (Bachelor's degree program: Ancient Civilizations) Modul Römische Geschichte BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Ancient Civilizations) Modul Theorie und Methoden der Alten Geschichte (Bachelor's degree subject: Ancient Civilizations) Modul Theorie und Methoden der Alten Geschichte (Bachelor's degree program: Ancient Civilizations) Modul Theorie und Methoden der Alten Geschichte (Bachelor's degree program: Ancient Civilizations (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) Modul Theorie und Methoden der Alten Geschichte (Bachelor's degree subject: Ancient Civilizations (Start of studies before 01.08.2013)) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Alte Geschichte |