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MA History (Ancient)

Greek Temple
Greek Temple

Strand Convenor: Prof. Brian Campbell

Teaching staff: Prof. Brian Campbell, Dr John R. Curran, Prof. David Whitehead

 

This MA consists of five modules:

 

1. Research Methods (MHY7020) Semester 1 (Sept-Dec)

This module offers an introduction to bibliographic research, archival usage, the handling of primary and secondary sources, methods of documenting research results and practical writing and editing skills, preparatory to the Dissertation. It also includes introduction to the more specialised methodologies associated with oral history, statistics and material culture. Training will be offered in using sources specific to your MA strand (British/American/British Intelligence History), and you will be encouraged to attend research seminars within the School to support this training, such as the American History Symposia and the annual 'Spyfest' conference.  This module is assessed through a number of practical coursework exercises; the Ancient History strand will include study of specilized methodologies relating to ancient writers and epigraphy.

 

2. Historiography, with focus on Ancient History (MHY7035) Semester 1 (Sept-Dec)

This is a two-part introduction to themes in global and area-specific historical theory and practice.

The first part, taught in common with all other Modern MA History, introduces you to developments in contemporary international historiographies, and includes topics such as memory and orality, new cultural histories, postcolonialism and postmodernism. Or students may include study of a period of ancient history in respect of recent historiographical developments and theories of interpretation of source material.

This module is assessed through two research essays of c 3,000 words.

 

3. Topics Ancient History (MHY7003) Semester 2 (Jan-June)

Students will study major periods of Greek, Roman or ancient Mediterranean history. A section of the course will focus on the law, legal institutions and jurisprudence of Athens during the fifth and fourth centuries BC. Drawing upon a significant sample of surviving trial speeches, the sophisticated worlds of both ‘public’ and ‘private’ Athenian law will be explored. Contrasts between classical Athenian concepts and both Roman and modern principles of law will be examined. Another section of the course will study the Rise of Christianity. It will explores significant institutions and discourses within Judaism in Judaea in the period 167 BC – AD 70 and setting the historical Jesus in this broader world. It will examine the earliest traces of the Christian movement and the development of Christianity within the Roman Mediterranean. Students will encounter the historical challenges of reconstructing early theological disputes, heretical ideas and the motivation and scope of persecution up to the reign of Constantine the Great. A third section of the course will focus on Rome under the Julio-Claudians through the examination of the history of Rome under the first emperor, Augustus, and his successor, Tiberius, based on a detailed analysis of the ancient sources. Students will explore the construction of a plausible history of the period with special reference to the imperial family, foreign policy, the army, and social, economic and political developments.

The module is assessed through research essays.

 

4. Historical Documents and Sources (MHY7025) Semester 2 (Jan-June)

In this module students will be introduced to techniques of calendaring, indexing and locating primary-source documents. Students may produce either a calendar of previously uncatalogued documents, a finding aid to primary sources on a defined theme available locally, or a database drawn from primary sources. Training will be provided by QUB Special Collections and the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland, but relevant materials might also be utilised from other libraries and depositories.

Ancient History strand students some key ancillary areas of knowledge and methodology for the working ancient historian. After an introduction to the fundamentals of contemporary scholarly bibliographical resources and conventions, four classes will be taught on (1) A study of the historiographical outlook and practices of some of the most significant ancient historians of Greece and Rome; (2) An exploration of Greek and Roman numismatic conventions and the challenges of deploying coins as evidence; (3) An examination of the ancient epigraphy of Greece and Rome. Students are introduced to the significance of epigraphical study for the working historian as well as conventions for the presentation of ancient inscribed texts; (4) An assessment of specifically legal evidence as a resource for historians of Roman social history.

Assessment is by calendar, finding aid or database, in all cases prefaced by a 5,000 word introductory essay. You will be encouraged to deposit your finished (and corrected) work for public consultation at the relevant archive or library.

An individually negotiated topic (MHY7011) may be made available by agreement with the course co-ordinator to accommodate students with research interests outside these areas.

 

5. Dissertation (MHY7010: Double module)

The MA or strand co-ordinator will encourage you to identify your dissertation proposal and arrange a suitable supervisor to advise on research and writing. The dissertation must not exceed 20,000 words in total length, be drawn from primary sources, and have a suitable scholarly apparatus. Full-time students must submit their dissertation by mid September. Dissertations will be supervised by academic staff with research interests related to your chosen MA strand. Candidates who pass the assessment for the four taught modules but who fail to submit a dissertation, or who submit an unsatisfactory dissertation, may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma.

 

Part-time students

Part-time students take MHY7035 (semester 1) and MHY7080 (semester 2) in their first year; MHY7020 (semester 1) and MHY7025/MHY7077 (semester 2) in their second year, and submit their dissertation (MHY7010) by 1 May in their third year (a total study period of 31 months).

 
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Applicants are requested to specify which of these strands they intend to follow in the 'Additional Information' section of the Postgraduate Application form for MA Modern History.