Year 1
You will study the archaeological past from the origins of the human species to the 20th century, learning the aims and methods of archaeology along the way. You will also gain practical experience in a wide variety of archaeological skills. In early Summer, you will take part in a local archaeological fieldschool. Recently we have run fabulous fieldschools at Bradgate Park with sites from the Mesolithic to the historic period, including the Tudor mansion of Lady Jane Grey (England's famous nine-day Queen), and the Iron Age hillfort of Burrough Hill. And in Ancient History you will gain key insights into the span and names of ancient Greek and Roman history, and critically explore the types of textual guides to these cultures.
Modules
- Approaching Ancient Evidence (Greek)
- Introduction to Greek History
- An Introduction to World Archaeology BC
- Archaeology: The Essentials
- Approaching Ancient Evidence (Roman)
- Introduction to Roman History
- An Introduction to World Archaeology AD
- Debates in Archaeological Heritage
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 2
In your second year, for your Ancient History strand, you will choose two aspects of Greek and Roman history to study in detail. These are taught through a combination of lectures and seminars, with a strong emphasis on encountering ancient primary sources in translation. You will also take two core modules focusing on sources and methods in Ancient History and archaeological theory that will give you the key skills you need to succeed in these subjects. At the end of the year you will be able to participate in a research excavation.
Core modules
- Sources, Method, and Theory for Ancient History
- Fieldwork 1
- Theory and Archaeology
Option modules
You will choose two option modules, one module from each of the lists below.
- Ancient History modules
- The Roman Principate
- The Ancient Near East
- Greek History in 40 Lives
- Archaeology modules
- Environmental Archaeology
- Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age Britain and Ireland
- Living in Towns: Medieval and Post-Medieval Archaeological Approaches
- Archaeology of the Roman Empire
You will then choose a further three option modules from the lists below. Two should be from Ancient History and one from Archaeology.
- Ancient History modules
- Classical and Hellenistic Greek States
- Classical and Post-classical Latin
- Roman Social History and the Roman Family
- Religion in the Roman World
- Archaeology modules
- Artefact Analysis
- Celts, Britons and Barbarians: Iron Age Europe in context
- Heritage Skills
- The Medieval Mediterranean World
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year Abroad (optional)
We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.
Final Year
A core focus of your final year will see you write a dissertation on a topic of your choice that may be focused on either Ancient History or Archaeology, although you are encouraged to use both historical and archaeological sources in your chosen theme. You will also choose four option modules from a wide selection. These are chiefly taught in smaller group sizes, which will help you to handle historical problems at a more advanced theoretical level, and to refine your skills in evaluating evidence and drawing conclusions from it.
Core modules
- Fieldwork 2
- Archaeology Dissertation (double module)
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Households and Domesticity in the Ancient World
- Textiles, Dress and Identity in the Roman World
- Great Greek Monuments
- Early Christian Europe
- Archaeozoology
- Warfare, Conflict and Violence in the Human Past
- Archaeology of Islamic Societies
- South Asian Archaeology and Heritage
Plus a further two option modules from:
- Sparta and the Greek World
- Greek and Roman Art
- The Roman Labyrinth: Crete under the Emperors
- The Fall of the Roman Republic
- Archaeology and Ancient History in Education
- The Archaeology of Colonialism in the Americas
- Plants and People
- Power and Difference in the Past
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
