Students

AHIX242 – The Roman Eastern Frontier

2017 – S1 OUA

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Peter Edwell
peter.edwell@mq.edu.au
W6A 516
By appointment
Kyle Keimer
kyle.keimer@mq.edu.au
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Work with and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit in written form.
  • Plan, revise and submit written work according to schedule.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the Roman Eastern Frontier.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Discussion topic essay 30% No Week 6
Online discussions 20% No Ongoing
Major Essay 50% No Week 13

Discussion topic essay

Due: Week 6
Weighting: 30%

You must choose one of the discussion topics in weeks 3-6 and write a 1,500 word essay which answers the questions for that particular week. The essay should include footnotes/endnotes and a bibliography and should conform with the requirements of undergraduate essays in the Department of Ancient History. Footnotes/endnotes and the bibliography are not included in the word count but should not be excessive.

Papers must be submitted through turn-it-in by 9pm on Sunday evening of the immediately preceding week. For example, if you choose to write a paper on the topic for week 4 (ie the week beginning Monday, 20 March) you must submit that paper through turn-it-in by 9pm, Sunday 26 March. It is not possible to submit these papers late because a summary of the discussions from each week will be posted on Monday morning and it is not fair for students to have access to that summary before submitting their papers.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Work with and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit in written form.
  • Plan, revise and submit written work according to schedule.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the Roman Eastern Frontier.

Online discussions

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%

Contributions to online discussions will be assessed on the basis of both quality and quantity.

Discussion questions are available in a PDF of weekly study guides uploaded to the unit ilearn site. I will also post the questions when I open the discussions on the Monday morning of each week. I will close each week's discussion with summary comments on the following Monday morning. You therefore have the whole week to contribute to the discussions. The discussion in week 1 will be introductory only and does not contribute to the assessment of the online discussions. There will be no discussions in weeks 7 and 13.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Work with and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit in written form.
  • Plan, revise and submit written work according to schedule.

Major Essay

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 50%

What are the key features of the relationship between Rome and Sasanian Persia from ca. AD 224-363? How did the relationship between the two empires change during this period?

In your response you need to provide coverage of military, diplomatic, religious and economic (mostly trade) factors. The word limit is 3,000 words not including footnotes. Footnotes should not contain excessive amounts of content.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Work with and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit in written form.
  • Plan, revise and submit written work according to schedule.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the Roman Eastern Frontier.

Delivery and Resources

Staff Contact details

The convenor and main lecturer for this unit is Dr Peter Edwell (Rm. 516, W6A, e-mail address: peter.edwell@mq.edu.au). 

Required Unit Materials

The only compulsory book for this unit is M.H. Dodgeon & S.N.C. Lieu (eds), The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD 226-363, 2nd edition, Routledge, London & New York, 1994. It is essential to purchase this book because it contains most of the material which forms the basis of tutorial questions and discussions. Weekly discussion questions and bibliographies are available in a PDF on the unit's iLearn web page.

The co-op bookshop at Macquarie has ordered some copies of this book. You may also purchase it via online book stores such as Amazon. It also worth checking http://www.abebooks.com for second hand copies. The book is also available in a kindle edition. Be very careful not to accidentally purchase Volume II which is edited by Greatrex and Lieu and covers the period from 363 - 630.

Important dates

Semester Commences:           Monday, 27 February

Semester Break:                     Monday, 17 April to Friday, 28 April

Semester recommences:         Monday, 1 May – Friday, 9 June

Technology Used

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone may not be sufficient.

The lectures for this unit will be recorded and the audio recordings will be available on the Echo 360 system. There is also an iLearn page for the unit which can be accessed at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. Readings will be available via Multisearch and iLearn; other digital resources may also be placed on the iLearn site.

Unit Schedule

Lecture Schedule

Week 1

Lecture 1                     Introduction & welcome

Lecture 2                     Geography of the Eastern Frontier

Introductory discussions only

Week 2

Lecture 3                     Historical Background 1 (Rome)

Lecture 4                     Historical Background 2 (Iran)

Discussion 1                Historical background

Week 3

Lecture 5                     The Sasanian “revolution”

Lecture 6                     Rome’s early wars with the Sasanians – Severus Alexander & Gordian III

Discussion 2                The Early Sasanians

Week 4                                   

Lecture 7                     The invasions of Shapur I

Lecture 8                     The siege and capture of Dura Europos

Discussion 3                Different traditions - Roman/Byzantine sources and the SKZ

Week 5           

Lecture 9                     Palmyra – 1st & 2nd centuries AD

Lecture 10                   Palmyra – 3rd century and after.

Discussion 4               The portrayal of Zenobia in ancient sources

Week 6

Lecture 11                   The Persian Wars of Diocletian and Galerius

Lecture 12                   The Strata Diocletiana

Discussion 5               Sources on the wars of Diocletian and Galerius

Week 7                       No lectures or discussions.

Semester Break         Monday, 17 April – Friday, 28 April

Week 8

Lecture 13                   Christianity & the Eastern Frontier

Lecture 14                   Manichaeism & the Eastern Frontier

Discussion 6               Christianity and Manichaeism on the Eastern Frontier                              

Week 9

Lecture 15                   Frontier theory and the Eastern Frontier

Lecture 16                   Constantine & Persia

Discussion 7               Constantine and the Christians of Persia       

Week 10

Lecture 17                   The Role of Armenia between Rome and Persia

Lecture 18                   The Role of the Arabs

Discussion 8                Armenian Historiography

Week 11         

Lecture 19                   The Persian wars of Constantius II -1

Lecture 20                   The Persian Wars of Constantius II-2

Discussion 9               The eastern frontier under Constantius II

Week 12

Lecture 21                   The Persian campaign of Julian-1

Lecture 22                   The Persian campaign of Julian-2

Discussion 10              Sources on the Persian invasion of Julian

Week 13                     

Lecture 23                   Rome and Persia in Art & Coins

Lecture 24                   Unit summary

Summary discussion. Does not count towards assessment.

Learning and Teaching Activities

Online Discussion

1 x online discussion per week

Lectures

2 x 1 hour recorded lectures per week.

Policies and Procedures

Late Submission - applies unless otherwise stated elsewhere in the unit guide

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Extension Request

Special Consideration Policy and Procedure (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration)

The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.

You need to show that the circumstances:

  1. were serious, unexpected and unavoidable
  2. were beyond your control
  3. caused substantial disruption to your academic work
  4. substantially interfered with your otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of the unit requirements
  5. lasted at least three consecutive days or a total of 5 days within the teaching period and prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date.

If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:

  1. Visit Ask MQ and use your OneID to log in
  2. Fill in your relevant details
  3. Attach supporting documents by clicking 'Add a reply', click 'Browse' and navigating to the files you want to attach, then click 'Submit Form' to send your notification and supporting documents
  4. Please keep copies of your original documents, as they may be requested in the future as part of the assessment process

Outcome

Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.

OUA Specific Policies and Procedures

Withdrawal from a unit after the census date

You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.

If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.

If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in written form.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the Roman Eastern Frontier.

Assessment tasks

  • Discussion topic essay
  • Online discussions
  • Major Essay

Learning and teaching activities

  • 2 x 1 hour recorded lectures per week.

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the Roman Eastern Frontier.

Assessment tasks

  • Discussion topic essay
  • Online discussions
  • Major Essay

Learning and teaching activities

  • 2 x 1 hour recorded lectures per week.

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Work with and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit in written form.

Assessment tasks

  • Discussion topic essay
  • Online discussions
  • Major Essay

Learning and teaching activities

  • 2 x 1 hour recorded lectures per week.

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the Roman Eastern Frontier.

Assessment tasks

  • Discussion topic essay
  • Online discussions
  • Major Essay

Learning and teaching activities

  • 1 x online discussion per week
  • 2 x 1 hour recorded lectures per week.

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the Roman Eastern Frontier.

Assessment tasks

  • Discussion topic essay
  • Online discussions
  • Major Essay

Learning and teaching activities

  • 1 x online discussion per week
  • 2 x 1 hour recorded lectures per week.

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Plan, revise and submit written work according to schedule.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the Roman Eastern Frontier.

Assessment tasks

  • Discussion topic essay
  • Online discussions
  • Major Essay

Learning and teaching activities

  • 2 x 1 hour recorded lectures per week.

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse and express your judgement about the history of the Roman Eastern Frontier from the 3rd-4th centuries AD in written form.
  • Interpret written and archaeological evidence with appreciation and understanding of their context and modern interpretations of them.
  • Work with and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit in written form.
  • Plan, revise and submit written work according to schedule.
  • Draw together and judge pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide an analysis of an important aspect of the Roman Eastern Frontier.

Assessment tasks

  • Discussion topic essay
  • Online discussions
  • Major Essay

Learning and teaching activities

  • 1 x online discussion per week
  • 2 x 1 hour recorded lectures per week.

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Work with and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit in written form.
  • Plan, revise and submit written work according to schedule.

Assessment tasks

  • Discussion topic essay
  • Online discussions
  • Major Essay

Learning and teaching activities

  • 1 x online discussion per week
  • 2 x 1 hour recorded lectures per week.

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment task

  • Major Essay

Learning and teaching activity

  • 2 x 1 hour recorded lectures per week.