Ancient History / Ancient History with Archaeology (Optional Pathway)

Delve into the ancient world and uncover the cultures, myths, histories and legacies of the civilisations that shaped it. At Kent you will develop new skills, and gain valuable experience ready for a wide range of careers, from archaeology to the heritage industry - or further afield - a degree in ancient history from Kent is the first step to wherever you want to go. Join world-leading experts, including practising archaeologists and historians. You'll study history from the shores of Roman Britain to Byzantium, and from Egyptian temples and Near Eastern empires to the Greek city states.

From day one you will explore new perspectives on topics such as migration, gender, identity, and religion in the ancient world. You will delve into classical cultures and build an understanding of them as living traditions to discover how they continue to shape our world. You also have the option to study an ancient language, or take an internship in the heritage or museum sector. Our broad remit at Kent means you are free to turn your passions into expertise and make your degree your own.

Add an Archaeology Pathway

This course offers an optional pathway in archaeology, leading to the degree of Ancient History with Archaeology. You will receive training in excavation techniques on dig sites with our practicing field archaeologists, and may make your own discoveries that contribute to our knowledge of the ancient world. You will be introduced to archaeological equipment in our state-of-the-art archaeology lab, and will have the opportunity to build your network of professional contacts within the industry. If you choose to accept your offer of a place on BA Ancient History at Kent you will be automatically sent instructions on how to register for the Archaeology Pathway prior to enrolment in September.

Year 2

You take all compulsory modules and then select three optional modules, which must include at least one of the following: The Rise and Fall of Athens, War and Imperialism in Ancient Rome c.350-100 BC, Egypt and the Classical World.

If you wish to take an internship during the Spring or Summer term, you must take either Heritage Studies - Exploring Key Debates or Museum Studies - Exploring Key Debates in the term before.

The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations:

Compulsory modules currently include the following:

• Remaking the Past: Antiquity in the Present

How does the modern world respond to, and make sense of, the ancient world? How does the ancient world influence our own world? This module examines key theoretical perspectives and evaluates their contributions to helping us understand the past. You'll focus on how we use texts and material culture to study and define past societies and also analyse responses to ancient ideas (relating to imperialism, ancient myths, philosophy, and ethics) in both their ancient and modern setting.

You’ll consider evidence of the past within a contemporary intellectual framework. Through various case studies, you’ll explore a range of cultural responses to ideas —such as Roman responses to Greek ideas —as well as their representations across a range of media.

During the module, you’ll participate in a group project based on communicating historical themes for public engagement. Examples of this may include the topography of Rome, perceptions of imperialism, a heritage-related project, or creating your own adaptation of a Classical myth or philosophical idea etc. The module will reinforce awareness of both the multifaceted nature of ancient ideas, as well as the relevance of Classics to the modern world.

• The Engagement Project

This is your opportunity to learn how to carry out an independent research project, in preparation for the dissertation module that follows. You’ll develop a variety of academic skills through close engagement with source evidence (through data gathering, resource evaluation, writing, interpretation and presentation), building on the knowledge you’ve already acquired in other modules. You can base you project on any suitable subject or evidence source that you're passionate about.

Your proposed subject will be assessed for suitability and feasibility by a module convenor, based on your course pathway choice. Once your project has been approved, you’ll be appointed a project supervisor from CLAS staff to assist you. You should aim to pursue projects that are distinctive, persuasive, and connect to theoretical debates. Projects should be informed by your personal interests, your chosen pathway, the aims of the module, support from your supervisor, and the accessibility of relevant material.

Optional modules may include the following:

• Tyranny and Transformation: The Roman World

• Egypt and the Classical World

• Everyday Life in the Roman Empire

• Gender and Sexuality in Roman Society

• Greek and Roman Art and Architecture

• Homeric Epic

• Intermediate Ancient Languages 1

• Intermediate Ancient Languages 2

• Museum Studies – Exploring Key Debates

• Museum Studies – Internships

• The Rise and Fall of Athens

• Rome to Byzantium: the World of Late Antiquity

• Virgil’s Aeneid

• War and Imperialism in Ancient Rome, 350-100 BCE

• Heritage Studies – Internships

• Heritage Studies – Exploring Key Debates

Please see the course page on our website for full module details.

Year 3

You will complete a dissertation on your chosen pathway topic and then select four optional modules. If you are pursuing the BA Ancient History, two of these must include any of the following: Cities and Empires of the Ancient Near East, Graeco-Roman Egypt, The Crisis of the Late Republic c.100-27 BC, The Hellenistic World: History and Material Culture, Early Greece and the Formation of the Classical World, Advanced Topics in Ancient History.

If you take the Ancient History with Archaeology pathway, two of your four optional modules must include any of the following: Advanced Topics in Archaeology, Professional Archaeology: Techniques and Methods, Heritage Studies, Constantinople and the late Antique City, Roman Britain, Gods, Heroes and Mystery Cults: Religion in Ancient Greece, Barbarians in the West.

Compulsory modules currently include the following:

• Dissertation

This module introduces undergraduate students to systematic research within a framework of supervised guidance. It provides an opportunity to select a topic of their choosing, in either archaeology, history, ancient literature. Students are invited to suggest subjects and provisional titles (topics). Prospective topics are scrutinised for suitability and feasibility and approved by the convenor before research can begin. Students receive instruction through a programme of timetabled guidance sessions and from the module convenor and a designated academic supervisor throughout the process. In addition, one-to-one meetings with the supervisor enable tailored tuition, covering the selection of the precise question/s for investigation, most apt reading, and so forth.

Students prepare a short formal research proposal in the first half of the autumn term in order to formulate the question their investigation will address; this is submitted as an assignment, assessed, and feedback provided. Two further assessed step submissions follow as the research builds: a research outline with associated bibliography and a critical evaluation of a key source material. Students should aim to ultimately produce what is an original study. The finalised Dissertation is submitted at the end of the second term of study.

Optional modules may include the following:

• Advanced Ancient Languages

• Advanced Topics in Ancient History

• Advanced Topics in Archaeology

• Advanced Topics in Classical Studies

• Ancient Philosophy

• Barbarians in the West

• Cities and Empires of the Ancient Near East

• Classical Studies and Ancient History in the Classroom

• Constantinople and the Late Antique City

• Early Greece and the Formation of the Classical World

• Gods, Heroes and Mystery Cults: Religion in Ancient Greece

• Graeco-Roman Egypt

• The Hellenistic World: History and Material Culture

• Heritage Studies – Internships

• Heritage Studies – Exploring Key Debates

• Monsters in Roman Literature

• Professional Archaeology: Techniques and Methods

• Roman Britain: History and Archaeology

• The Crisis of the Late Republic

Please see the course page on our website for full module details.

Year 1

The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations:

Compulsory modules currently include the following:

• Power and Persuasion: The Classical World

What were the major works and genres of Greek literature? How were stories told in Ancient Rome? This module is an introduction to Classical history, literature and culture. Spanning almost two thousand years from the Bronze Age Mycenaeans to the Greeks living under the Roman Empire, you'll explore the major events, developments and themes of ancient Mediterranean history and civilisation and will gain an introduction to key historical evidence.

There will be a strong focus on Greek literature. You’ll be asked to consider and discuss the role of literature as a vehicle for power, persuasion and public debate throughout Greek history. You’ll also examine themes such as democracy, justice, religion, rationalism, violence, war, displacement, the body, and gender. Using Greek literature as a lens by which to examine the ancient world, and trace the connections to our own.

• Classical Archaeology: Great Sites, Key Issues

What tools do archaeologists use to investigate the ancient world? And how are technological developments changing this process? This module covers classical archaeology chronologically— from the Minoans to Late Antiquity— and methodologically, covering the evidence and non-invasive research methods archaeologists use to tell the story of Mediterranean societies.

You’ll explore key issues such as Greek colonisation, Roman conquest, Romanisation and resistance, the nature of Minoan palaces, and the city of Rome. You’ll develop practical skills and discover topics such as military archaeology, numismatics, epigraphy and ceramics, and examine major sites of Classical archaeology, from Thera, Knossos, and Lefkandi, to Athens, Vergina, and Rome.

• Tyranny and Transformation: The Roman World

What can we learn from the centuries of crisis that led to the rise of populists who overthrew Rome’s democracy? What mirror does the history of Rome hold up to our own times, and how does this knowledge empower us to shape our future while learning from the past?

This module will explore these questions through the lens of Roman history, from the overthrow of the first Roman monarchy and the foundation of the Roman Republic (509 BCE) to the dramatic rise and fall of Julius Caesar’s autocracy (44 BCE), and finally the near-collapse of the Roman Empire in the third century CE.

• Migration, Slavery and Identity in the Ancient World

Migration, whether forced or voluntary, has been a key feature of life throughout history and continues to be so in the present day. This module investigates the topics of migration and displacement in the ancient world, exploring it in relation to phenomena such as war, violence, trauma, captivity, slavery, trade, diversity, multiculturalism, race, ethnicity and imperialism.

Rather than focusing on kings, wars and battlefields, this module takes the perspective of individuals and their lived experience. The module will also explore how studying the ancient past can enhance our understanding of the present and empower us to make meaningful contributions to modern debates.

Optional modules may include the following:

• Classical Mythology: Themes and Approaches to Ancient Greek Myth

• Ancient Egypt: Key Sites and Material Culture

• Archaeology: The Essentials

• Beginners’ Ancient Languages 1

• Beginners’ Ancient Languages 2

• Classical Literature

• Rome in the First Century AD: The Global City from Augustus to Domitian

Please see the course page on our website for full module details.

Year Abroad (optional)

Going abroad as part of your degree is an amazing experience and a chance to develop personally, academically and professionally. You'll experience a different culture, gain a new academic perspective, establish international contacts and enhance your employability. The Year Abroad can be added during your studies at Kent.

You can apply to add a Year Abroad to your degree programme from your arrival at Kent until the autumn term of your second year. The Year Abroad takes place between Stages 2 and 3 at one of our partner universities. Places and destination are subject to availability, language and degree programme.

You are expected to adhere to any academic progression requirements in Stages 1 and 2 to proceed to the Year Abroad. The Year Abroad is assessed on a pass/fail basis and will not count towards your final degree classification.