Approaches to Pompeii and Herculaneum

Module code: AR7074

This module will enhance your knowledge of these two cities by using a range of primary and secondary sources. You’ll be researching these places by delving into secondary literature and looking into material culture, architecture, paintings, epigraphy and texts.

Throughout the module you’ll develop a critical understanding of the key themes of these two cities by looking at archaeology and ancient history, and orally present your research. There will be plenty of opportunity to practise independent research and use your skills in critical analysis. This module aims to:

• Critically evaluate various aspects of these two cities
• Critically evaluate the role of popular culture in our understandings of these aspects
• Critically assess scholarship on other related bodies of archaeological data

Upon successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

• Evaluate critically secondary literature on these two cities
• Recognise and evaluate a range of primary data (material culture, architecture, painting epigraphy/texts) from, and relevant to, these cities
• Formulate a good critical understanding of these cities in key themes in archaeology and ancient history
• Demonstrate an ability to present such research orally
• Practice independent research and analytical skills in relation to specific themes