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Semester 2

The World of St Augustine (ANHI10013)

Subject

Ancient History

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

3

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Visiting students must have completed 3 courses in Classics related subject matter (at least 2 of which should be in Ancient History) at grade B or above for entry to this course. We will only consider University/College level courses. **Please see Additional Restrictions below**

Course Summary

The life and works of St. Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430) continue to fascinate those interested in history as well as theology. This course uses the life and writings of Augustine amongst other historical sources as a way into the study of a fascinating period of transformation and conflict. In this way this course offers an insight into the history of Late Antiquity with particular focus on social, cultural and religious aspects.

Course Description

Through a combination of lectures and seminars students cover key themes and issues with particular focus on close reading/examination of the sources from the period. Augustine's own works form a key focus, including most obviously the Confessions and (extracts from) the City of God. The letters, sermons and treatises of Augustine help illuminate such key issues as pagan/Christian conflict, the Donatist Schism and contemporary reaction to the Sack of Rome in 410. Further subjects covered include the ethnic, political and social divisions in North Africa, issues of religious conversion and religious coercion, barbarian invasion and cultural transformation. Augustine himself provides an obvious focus while the setting of his birth and most of his activities, Roman North Africa, is an area uniquely rich in varied source material. Alongside the writings of Augustine and his near contemporaries the course makes use of the rich archaeological record from North Africa. In this way this course provides an advanced level look at both a key period of ancient history and an important geographical area that students may not have had an opportunity to study before.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 50%, Coursework 50%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Restrictions

Unless you are nominated on a Classics or HCA exchange agreement, visiting students are only permitted to enrol in two 3rd year Classics courses each, per semester, before the start of the relevant semester’s welcome period – and spaces on each course are limited so cannot be guaranteed for any student. Enrolment in a third course from this group will depend on whether there are still spaces available in the January Welcome Period, and cannot be guaranteed. It is NOT appropriate for students to contact staff within this subject area to ask for an exception to be made; all enquiries to enrol in these courses must be made through the CAHSS Visiting Student Office. This is due to the extremely limited number of spaces available in this very popular subject area.

view the timetable and further details for this course