Module manager: Samuel Gartland
Email: S.D.Gartland@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module is designed to build on and enhance the skills which students have developed at level 1, and to prepare them to pursue independent research at level 3 with the help and guidance of an academic supervisor. It offers a survey of Classics today, of classes of evidence, and of the various areas of classical research. The module encourages a holistic view of Classics as a discipline, which is essential for conducting effective research. It also incorporates practical sessions on research skills such as compiling bibliographies (including electronic resources), academic writing and structuring written work. The module is largely intended to set students up for the work they will do for the level 3 independent research module, and therefore to help them develop as researchers. The Major Research Project (a.k.a. ‘Final Year Project’ or ‘undergraduate dissertation’) involves extensive independent study, on a Classical topic of the student’s own choosing, and the eventual presentation of their research in the form of a clearly structured piece of writing, pursuing an argument of their own design. The final session relates directly to the work students will do for this.
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: display an enhanced knowledge of the scope of Classics as a discipline and of the various practical sub-disciplines which it embraces (e.g. numismatics, textual criticism) and the techniques of investigation appropriate to each, and an awareness of the information resources available to students of antiquity; give an account of a range of critical approaches to the sub-disciplines of Classics, choose appropriately from among them and apply them effectively; and demonstrate research skills developed and enhanced to give them the capacity to pursue independent research at Level 3.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Reflect on the scope of Classics as a discipline and of the various practical sub-disciplines that it embraces (e.g. numismatics, textual criticism);
2. Select and apply accurately appropriate critical approaches and techniques of investigation in the study of the ancient world;
3. Identify, locate, analyse critically and evaluate evidence relating to particular aspects of antiquity;
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. formulate research questions and evaluate their practice and decision-making as researchers;
5. apply and communicate knowledge in styles and formats appropriate to specific academic contexts and requirements;
6. choose, evaluate, and apply research methodologies and techniques (including advanced search techniques) as appropriate to carry out a research project
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminars | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Lecture | 15 | 1 | 15 |
| Practical | 1 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Practical | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Private study hours | 178.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 21.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will receive formative feedback from the module tutors during class contact hours and especially in practical sessions. They will also receive detailed summative feedback on their first assessed coursework, providing them with a formal indicator of their progress on the module. Students will also be encouraged to attend the module teaching team’s drop-in hours to discuss the module content, draft assignments, or to request further clarification of feedback already provided on assessed work. Students will likewise be encouraged to contact tutors (via email, during office hours, or before/after classes) signposted as academic advisors for each of the assessed exercises in order to receive further guidance on coursework and advice on draft work.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Research skills exercise | 50 |
| Coursework | Research skills exercise | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team