A Roman house was not just a family home: it was also a place of business, a political power-base, and a venue for social networking and self-presentation. This module examines the architecture and decoration of surviving houses, villas, apartments and palaces in and around Rome, Ostia, Pompeii and Herculaneum, from the late Republic and early Principate (second century BC to second century AD), and explores different methods of understanding and interpreting those remains. Literary sources such as Vitruvius, Cicero, Pliny and Petronius are used to give an insight into the role of the house in Roman social, political and family life. We will consider various themes in the study of Roman houses, such as: concepts of public and private space; the meaning of architectural forms and interior decoration; the house as a social space; Roman debates about luxury and propriety; the role of the house in politics; and the development of Imperial palaces. 

LO1: Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the archaeological evidence for Roman housing, and of literary evidence relevant to Roman houses and domestic life. 

LO2: Critically analyse how trends in Roman housing relate to the social, political and economic context of the period. 

LO3: Engage with and critically evaluate different modern interpretations and approaches to the study of Roman housing. 

LO4: Research, analyse and interpret material evidence from Roman houses and apartments. 

LO5: Select, synthesise and critically evaluate appropriate evidence to construct complex arguments relating to Roman housing and domestic life. 

The module will be taught through a combination of lectures, active learning and independent study. 

The teaching sessions will involve a combination of lecturing, class discussions and practical exercises. The lectures will present an outline of the evidence for Roman housing and introduce major themes, approaches and debates. The lectures will provide a framework for understanding and a starting-point for further discussion and exercises in the active learning sessions. The active sessions may focus on specific evidence or major themes, approaches or debates; they may involve directed reading or other preparation. 

Independent study builds on the lectures, enabling students to familiarise themselves with the range of evidence available, engage with current approaches and debates, and undertake their own exploration of the subject. A reading list is provided, with guidance on key items of reading for major themes and lecture topics. 

Academic skills: 

• assimilating and synthesising complex information and ideas 
• critical thinking skills, such as analysing and evaluating evidence, critiquing interpretations or arguments, and challenging assumptions 
• constructing and defending arguments based on evidence 
• research, bibliographic and referencing skills 

Subject-specific skills: 

• analysis of a variety of different types of historical evidence, such as buildings. artefacts and literary texts 
• employing appropriate skills and conventions in the presentation and use of literary and material evidence 

Transferable skills: 

• observation and visual analysis 
• clear, accurate and effective communication of ideas and arguments in writing and in debate 
• communicating appropriately for different audiences 
• team-working and contributing to group discussions 
• using IT resources effectively 
• independent working and time management 

The module will be assessed through a 2500-word case study report on a Roman house or apartment (60%) and an open book exam consisting of one essay question (40%). 

For the case study report, students will analyse the evidence from a Roman house or apartment of their choice, explaining how we can use it as historical evidence and what problems we encounter in interpreting it (LO1, LO3, LO4, LO5). 

In the exam, students will be asked to relate developments in Roman housing to the historical context of the period or to evaluate different modern approaches and theories in the study and interpretation of Roman houses (LO1, LO2, LO3, LO5). 

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:  

Reassessment will take the form of a reassessment of the failed component(s) unless further specified. 

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

Opportunities for re-assessment are only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme. If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme. You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period. 

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session.