CLAS3791: The History of Writing in the Ancient Mediterranean

• At least one CLAS module at level 1 or 2 or ARCH 2091 or ARCH 2161 or ARCH 2141

• None

• None

• To learn more about the development and use of writing systems in the ancient world.
• To develop a deeper understanding of ancient material culture and social history.
• To explore the history of the ancient Mediterranean and particularly its lesser-known voices through detailed analysis of epigraphic sources.

• So much of our knowledge of the ancient world comes to us through writing but how much do we know about writing itself? This module explores the technology of writing in the ancient Mediterranean, from the earliest syllabic and ideographic systems through to the Greek and Latin alphabets. Students will learn about how Greek and Latin writing first developed, and how they changed over time. Students will also learn about the sounds of these languages and how we can describe and analyse their phonology. We will also introduce the principles behind other writing systems of the ancient world, which may include examples such as Linear B, the Cypriot syllabary, Punic, Palmyrene, Syriac, hieroglyphic Egyptian, Old Persian and Etruscan. While we explore these writing systems, we will delve into the social history of writing, discussing questions such as: how we define writing; whether the alphabet is better than other forms of writing; how writing expresses and creates political power; how literacy interacts with social class and gender; how people learned to read and write; whether there was a standard way of spelling Greek or Latin; how language contact and bilingualism affect writing; and how language death occurs.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Broad knowledge of writing in the ancient Mediterranean, including a range of writing systems and how they change over time.
• Understanding of the role of writing in the ancient world and the sources that ancient epigraphy provides for social and cultural history.
• Awareness of modern debates about ancient writing and literacy.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Developing an understanding of the ancient world through its material and epigraphic evidence.
• Developing critical approaches to ancient source material, including issues relating to the limitations of the available evidence.

Key Skills:

• Developing skills in critical analysis of source material.
• Demonstrating the ability to read, assess and organize diverse information to form a coherent argument.
• Conducting independent research, including library and online research.
• Presenting material effectively in an oral presentation.

• Lectures will introduce students to the development of writing as a technology and the range of writing systems used to write Latin, Greek and other languages of the ancient Mediterranean. Lectures will also draw out wider thematic links and areas for discussion. Seminars will focus on thematic topics designed to complement the lecture series, allowing students to explore their own ideas. Each seminar will bring together a range of ancient sources and secondary literature for detailed discussion and debate. The formative assessment will help students to gain practice in analysing epigraphic sources. Two summatives will develop students research and presentation skills. The presentation (which may be live or recorded) will help students to enhance their ability to communicate complex material effectively to an audience. The long essay will allow students to conduct research into a topic within the module, and to present their argument successfully in written form.

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our FAQ webpages, Help page or our glossary of terms. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the FAQ, or a query about the on-line Undergraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.