Students
AHPG838 – Writing Imperial Lives: Tacitus and Suetonius
2018 – S1 External
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Peter Keegan
Contact via iLearn Dialogue
Y3A238
By appointment
Lecturer/Tutor
Timothy Jones
Contact via Class Discussion or Dialogue
Off-campus
By appointment
Timothy Jones
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MAncHist or GradCertAncHist or MA in (Ancient History or Coptic Studies)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit gives students the opportunity to make a detailed study of two of the most famous works of Roman history (Annals and Twelve Caesars). Particular attention will be paid to the life and times of Tacitus and Suetonius, especially their relationships with contemporary literary figures as well as their depictions of the most important members of the Julio-Claudian and Flavian dynasties.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Read, analyse and interpret select sections from the mandatory primary historical texts and commentary in pertinent secondary sources and present the information in a written format
- Utilise and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, to apply higher level critical thinking skills, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge of ancient historiographical practices from a range of literary and documentary sources and contexts.
- Enquire systematically and use research skills to create new knowledge that can contribute to the field of ancient historiography
- Communicate effectively and convey views about the life, times, and work of Tacitus and Suetonius to different social, cultural, and professional audiences
- Demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in professional and personal judgement.
General Assessment Information
Late Submission Penalty
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.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar Participation | 30% | No | Weeks 2-6, 8-12 |
| Historiographical Exercise I | 35% | No | Week 7 |
| Historiographical Exercise II | 35% | No | Week 13 |
Seminar Participation
Due: Weeks 2-6, 8-12
Weighting: 30%
Online seminar participation in Weeks 2-6 and 8-12 will explore a range of topics keyed to the life, times and literary production of Tacitus and Suetonius. Each week students will
- consider brief readings and set of stimulus questions relating to a particular topic
- provide a brief, integrated post relating to the stimulus questions in the online forum (original post – submitted no later than Wednesday of the relevant week) (150 words)
- contribute a brief, integrated response to the discussion generated by individual responses (selective response – submitted no later than Sunday of the relevant week) (150 words)
- explore issues and share ideas relating to the weekly seminar topic.
NB. Seminar participation is a timed assessment. All posts must be submitted on time, and no late posts will be accepted for assessment unless a request for Special Consideration has been submitted and approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Read, analyse and interpret select sections from the mandatory primary historical texts and commentary in pertinent secondary sources and present the information in a written format
- Utilise and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, to apply higher level critical thinking skills, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge of ancient historiographical practices from a range of literary and documentary sources and contexts.
- Communicate effectively and convey views about the life, times, and work of Tacitus and Suetonius to different social, cultural, and professional audiences
- Demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in professional and personal judgement.
Historiographical Exercise I
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 35%
This task is based on knowledge and understanding of Tacitus acquired in Weeks 1-6: his life and times, historical background, historiographical method, and the structure and contents of Annals) and comprises the composition of (1) an historiographical profile of an historical episode (AD 37-47) (400-500 words); (2) a fictional episode in the style of Tacitus (850-1000 words); and (3) a formal paper on an aspect of the Annals (1250-1500 words).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Read, analyse and interpret select sections from the mandatory primary historical texts and commentary in pertinent secondary sources and present the information in a written format
- Utilise and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, to apply higher level critical thinking skills, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge of ancient historiographical practices from a range of literary and documentary sources and contexts.
- Enquire systematically and use research skills to create new knowledge that can contribute to the field of ancient historiography
Historiographical Exercise II
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 35%
This three-part task is based on knowledge and understanding of Suetonius acquired in Weeks 7-12: his life and times, historical background, biographical method, and the structure and contents of Lives of the Twelve Caesars) and comprises the composition of (1) a biographical profile of a selected historical figure (400-500 words); (2) five (5) sections of a fictional Life in the style of Suetonius (850-100 words); and (3) a formal paper on an aspect of Twelve Caesars (1250-1500 words).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Read, analyse and interpret select sections from the mandatory primary historical texts and commentary in pertinent secondary sources and present the information in a written format
- Utilise and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, to apply higher level critical thinking skills, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge of ancient historiographical practices from a range of literary and documentary sources and contexts.
- Enquire systematically and use research skills to create new knowledge that can contribute to the field of ancient historiography
Delivery and Resources
Unit Webpage, Technology Used and Skills Required
AHIX339 is delivered fully online.
Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement. Please contact teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements.
REQUIRED and RECOMMENDED TEXTS and/or MATERIALS
There are no required texts for AHPG838. In other words, you are not required to purchase texts for this unit. Naturally, the focus of this unit will be on the important historical writings of Tacitus (Annals, Histories) and Suetonius (Twelve Caesars).
Useful online English translations of Tacitus' Annals and Histories can be found at:
1. http://classics.mit.edu/Tacitus/annals.html
2. http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Tacitus/home.html
Useful online English translations of Suetonius' Twelve Caesars can be found at:
1. http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/home.html
2. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/6400/6400-h/6400-h.htm
3. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/collection?collection=Perseus%3Acollection%3AGreco-Roman
Unit Schedule
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Week 1 |
Introduction to Tacitus and Suetonius
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Week 2 |
Tacitus: life, works and historical background
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Week 3 |
Structure in Tacitus
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Week 4 |
Tacitus as an Historian
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Week 5 |
Politics in Tacitus
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Week 6 |
Imperial women in Tacitus
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Week 7 |
Submission I: final preparation + submission
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Week 8 |
Suetonius: life, works and historical background
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Week 9 |
Structure in Suetonius
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Week 10 |
Suetonius: the historical question
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Week 11 |
Suetonius and the ancient art of physiognomy
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Week 12 |
Destiny, power and character in Suetonius
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Week 13 |
Submission II: final preparation + submission
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Learning and Teaching Activities
Source-based Collaborative Participation
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/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
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in professional and personal judgement.
Assessment task
- Seminar Participation
Learning and teaching activity
- This Learning and Teaching Activity pertains to the Seminar Participation Assessment Task. As listed in the Unit Schedule, students meet to examine primary evidence from antiquity which illuminate a range of topics keyed to the life, times and literary production of Tacitus and Suetonius. This evidence may be literary, documentary and/or material in nature, and will touch on political and/or military and/or socio-cultural history during the studied period. As outlined in the Assessment Task summary, this activity requires commitment, preparation and active involvement: (1) COMMITMENT: consistent presence in weekly online forums; (2) PREPARATION: pre-reading of prescribed source materials and relevant note-taking; (3) ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT: posts responding directly to stimulus questions and fellow student comments in weekly online forums. This Learning and Teaching Activity will take place in the online Learning Forums.
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Read, analyse and interpret select sections from the mandatory primary historical texts and commentary in pertinent secondary sources and present the information in a written format
Assessment tasks
- Seminar Participation
- Historiographical Exercise I
- Historiographical Exercise II
Learning and teaching activities
- This Learning and Teaching Activity pertains to the Seminar Participation Assessment Task. As listed in the Unit Schedule, students meet to examine primary evidence from antiquity which illuminate a range of topics keyed to the life, times and literary production of Tacitus and Suetonius. This evidence may be literary, documentary and/or material in nature, and will touch on political and/or military and/or socio-cultural history during the studied period. As outlined in the Assessment Task summary, this activity requires commitment, preparation and active involvement: (1) COMMITMENT: consistent presence in weekly online forums; (2) PREPARATION: pre-reading of prescribed source materials and relevant note-taking; (3) ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT: posts responding directly to stimulus questions and fellow student comments in weekly online forums. This Learning and Teaching Activity will take place in the online Learning Forums.
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Utilise and reflect on prior knowledge and experience, to apply higher level critical thinking skills, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge of ancient historiographical practices from a range of literary and documentary sources and contexts.
Assessment tasks
- Seminar Participation
- Historiographical Exercise I
- Historiographical Exercise II
Learning and teaching activities
- This Learning and Teaching Activity pertains to the Seminar Participation Assessment Task. As listed in the Unit Schedule, students meet to examine primary evidence from antiquity which illuminate a range of topics keyed to the life, times and literary production of Tacitus and Suetonius. This evidence may be literary, documentary and/or material in nature, and will touch on political and/or military and/or socio-cultural history during the studied period. As outlined in the Assessment Task summary, this activity requires commitment, preparation and active involvement: (1) COMMITMENT: consistent presence in weekly online forums; (2) PREPARATION: pre-reading of prescribed source materials and relevant note-taking; (3) ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT: posts responding directly to stimulus questions and fellow student comments in weekly online forums. This Learning and Teaching Activity will take place in the online Learning Forums.
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Enquire systematically and use research skills to create new knowledge that can contribute to the field of ancient historiography
Assessment tasks
- Historiographical Exercise I
- Historiographical Exercise II
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Communicate effectively and convey views about the life, times, and work of Tacitus and Suetonius to different social, cultural, and professional audiences
Assessment tasks
- Seminar Participation
- Historiographical Exercise I
- Historiographical Exercise II
Learning and teaching activities
- This Learning and Teaching Activity pertains to the Seminar Participation Assessment Task. As listed in the Unit Schedule, students meet to examine primary evidence from antiquity which illuminate a range of topics keyed to the life, times and literary production of Tacitus and Suetonius. This evidence may be literary, documentary and/or material in nature, and will touch on political and/or military and/or socio-cultural history during the studied period. As outlined in the Assessment Task summary, this activity requires commitment, preparation and active involvement: (1) COMMITMENT: consistent presence in weekly online forums; (2) PREPARATION: pre-reading of prescribed source materials and relevant note-taking; (3) ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT: posts responding directly to stimulus questions and fellow student comments in weekly online forums. This Learning and Teaching Activity will take place in the online Learning Forums.
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Assessment task
- Seminar Participation
Assignment Submission and Extensions
ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION
All assessment tasks in this unit are submitted via Turnitin. Please see your unit iLearn website for assignment submission instructions.
LATE PENALTY
Extensions are granted only on grounds of illness or misadventure, and appropriate supporting documentation must be submitted. Work submitted more than 10 days after the due date, or the date after which an extension has been given, will not be accepted. If you are having problems completing an assignment, please contact the tutor as early as possible.
Grading and Plagiarism
UNIVERSITY GRADING POLICY
http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
The grade a student receives will signify their overall performance in meeting the learning outcomes of a unit of study. Grades will not be awarded by reference to the achievement of other students nor allocated to fit a predetermined distribution. In determining a grade, due weight will be given to the learning outcomes and level of a unit (ie 800). Graded units will use the following grades:
HD High Distinction 85-100
D Distinction 75-84
Cr Credit 65-74
P Pass 50-64
F Fail 0-49
ACADEMIC HONESTY/PLAGIARISM
Academic honesty is an integral part of the core values and principles contained in the Macquarie University Ethics Statement (http://www.mq.edu.au/ethics/ethic-statement-final.html). Its fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that:
- All academic work claimed as original is the work of the author making the claim.
- All academic collaborations are acknowledged.
- Academic work is not falsified in any way
- When the ideas of others are used, these ideas are acknowledged appropriately.
The link below has more details about the policy, procedure and schedule of penalties that will apply to breaches of the Academic Honesty policy.
Academic Honesty Policy
http://www.mq.edu.au/academichonesty