This MA is expertly designed to focus on the history and material culture of Ancient Rome, and features a module taught at the British School at Rome during April and May consisting of site visits and seminars.

Course overview

Our Visual and Material Culture of Ancient Rome MA courses provide a thorough preparation in research techniques if you are considering further research in the fields of art, numismatics or epigraphy, or are working on an historical topic that involves the consideration of material evidence. It will also provide a detailed understanding of ancient visual and material culture to prepare you if you are aiming to enter a career in museums and curatorial work, or in education.

For the Visual and Material Culture of Ancient Rome MA, one module is taught by the British School, Rome, focusing on the history and material culture of Ancient Rome. Please note admission is subject to the discretion of the British Schools and cannot be guaranteed by Warwick.

There are four taught elements, each worth 30 CATS points, in addition to a 15-20,000-word dissertation (worth 60 CATS).

Taught Elements

• Core Module 'Approaching Ancient Visual and Material Culture': two hour seminar every week in term one, assessed by a 5,000 word essay on a topic of your choice.
• Core Module in a Language: Usually Italian, to prepare yourself for your time in Rome, but if you already have Italian, you may take Ancient Greek or Latin if this is more relevant to your research needs. Assessed by a final examination and a dossier of coursework.
• One optional module chosen from the following:
  • Classical Epigraphy (Prof Alison Cooley)
  • Art of the Ancient World (Prof Zahra Newby)
  • Ancient Numismatics (Prof Suzanne Frey-Kupper)

All these modules are taught in nine two hour small group seminars involving seminar presentations and discussions. They are assessed by a 5,000-word essay on a topic chosen in consultation with the lecturer responsible.

The modules mentioned above may be subject to change. Please read our terms and conditions for more detailed information.

• City of Rome module Link opens in a new window- the course is taught by the British School at Rome during April and May and you must formally apply for a place in the November preceeding it (applications are made via Warwick). Places are allocated according to academic merit (announced in December) and cannot by guaranteed. If you do not gain a place you would take a second optional module at Warwick and graduate with the Taught MA in Ancient Visual and Material Culture. The course involves a detailed programme of site visits and seminars by leading academics under the guidance of a dedicated course tutor. It is assessed through marks given for class participation and seminar presentation (worth 10% of total module) and a 6,000 word essay (90%), which is marked at the BSR and then moderated within the department. The course fees are paid by Warwick via fee transfer system. However, you are responsible for paying for your own travel to Rome and for accommodation expenses. For full details see the BSR website and information on our Classics website.

Dissertation

• Dissertation of 15-20,000 words. The topic for this will be finalised during your time in Rome and is expected to build on your research there. You will begin research in Rome and be assigned a supervisor on your return to Warwick for the final months of work on the dissertation. The dissertation will be submitted in early September.