Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Religions of Rome. Vol. 1. A History

ISBN: 9780521316828

Beard, M., North, J. and Price, S., CUP 1998

Text refers to: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus

Greek Religion

ISBN: 9780631156246

Burkert, W., Blackwell 1987

Text refers to: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus

1. analyse the ancient literary texts relevant to ancient Greek and Roman religion and understand how these are the basis of knowledge concerning ancient Greek and Roman religious practice, and to undertake higher-order thinking in the reading, analysis and understanding of the key written ancient sources for ancient Greek and Roman religion;
2. learn how to 'read' iconographic material with the aim of acquiring knowledge and gaining an understanding of ancient Greek and Roman religious practice, and in particular to undertake higher-order thinking in the reading, analysis and understanding of the key iconographic and architectural evidence for ancient Greek and Roman religion;
3. understand the main religious concerns of the Greeks and Romans and the motivation behind their religious practices, and to evaluate the various factors which influenced Greek and Roman religious practices;
4. reflect on the importance of religion in the everyday lives of the ancient Greeks and Romans and how religion was an intrinsic part of these civilisations, and analyse the place of Greek and Roman religion in the western tradition; and
5. undertake a degree of independent research on ancient Greek and Roman religion and to write clearly and analytically in an intellectually sophisticated and challenging way at the higher level required of a Masters unit.