Students
AHIS8320 – Under the Shadow of Vesuvius: Archaeology in Ancient Campania
2026 – Session 2, Online-flexible
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ewan Coopey
Matthew Bailey
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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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
AHIS/AHIX8320
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae constitute one of the best known and perhaps the most important archaeological areas of the Roman world - the Vesuvian cities of ancient Campania. Evidence from these cities contributes information of inestimable value to our understanding of urban Roman life. This unit is designed for those wishing to investigate the wide range of evidence from Roman Campania, how it has been interpreted and how, in turn, this has influenced our understanding of urban development in the Roman world.
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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:
- ULO1: Present information found in textual and material sources on the mandatory primary archaeological sites and commentary in pertinent secondary sources.
- ULO2: Integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge of ancient socio-historicalpractices from a range of archaeological sources and contexts.
- ULO3: Communicate effectively about ancient Campania to different social, cultural, and professional audiences.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due | Groupwork/Individual | Short Extension | AI Approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 30% | No | 08/11/2026 | Individual | Yes | Open |
| Archaelogical Exercise 2 | 35% | No | 08/11/2026 | Individual | Yes | Open |
| Archaeological Exercise 1 | 35% | No | 13/09/2026 | Individual | Yes | Open |
Portfolio
Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours
Due: 08/11/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open
Online seminar participation in Weeks 2-6 and 8-12 will explore a range of topics keyed to the life and times of the archaeological sit under consideration. Each week you will review information about a particular topic and provide a 100-200 word response to a stimulus: question on the topic in an online forum. At the end of the Session you will submit your choice of 5 of these responses in a single document to be assessed.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Communicate effectively about ancient Campania to different social, cultural, and professional audiences.
Archaelogical Exercise 2
Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: 08/11/2026
Weighting: 35%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open
This two-part task is based on knowledge and understanding of archaeology in ancient Campania acquired in Weeks 1-6 and 8-12 (official and non-official inscriptions; politics and public life; production, consumption and exchange of goods and services; and cemeteries and the commemoration of the living and the dead). You will create (1) an archaeological profile of a particular location; and (2) a brief response on an aspect of archaeology in ancient Campania. A marking rubric, task outline, and word limit will be provided on the unit homepage. Submission: Turnitin Assignment.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Present information found in textual and material sources on the mandatory primary archaeological sites and commentary in pertinent secondary sources.
- Integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge of ancient socio-historicalpractices from a range of archaeological sources and contexts.
Archaeological Exercise 1
Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: 13/09/2026
Weighting: 35%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open
This two-part task is based on knowledge and understanding of archaeology in ancient Campania acquired in Weeks 1-6 (topography, rediscovery, sources; public landscapes; private spaces). You will create (1) an archaeological profile of a particular type of material culture; and (2) a brief response on an aspect of archaeology in ancient Campania. A marking rubric, task outline, and word limit will be provided on the unit homepage. Submission: Turnitin Assignment.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Present information found in textual and material sources on the mandatory primary archaeological sites and commentary in pertinent secondary sources.
- Integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge of ancient socio-historicalpractices from a range of archaeological sources and contexts.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- Academic Success for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.
3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.
Delivery and Resources
As a fully online postgraduate reading unit, a list of required and recommended readings and video files will be provided each week on the iLearn. Naturally, your attention should be focused on the primary sources. The websites Pompeii in Pictures and Herculaneum in Pictures and Alison and Michael Cooley's Pompeii and Herculaneum sourcebook will be your foundation and guide books. In addition, you may refer to any modern scholarship or popular reading
All prescribed reading for AHIS/AHIX8320 is supplied on the unit homepage. If you wish to explore additional sources of information and secondary scholarship available online or via our University Library, then please feel free to consult the Roman Campania - bibliography pdf file.
Drop in Zoom sessions are offered throughout the teaching period, and students can communicate with staff to organise others if necessary.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). 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
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
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Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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Unit information based on version 2026.03 of the Handbook