CLAS422-25S1 (A) Semester One 2025 (The Arts Centre Christchurch)

Roman Architecture

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 17 February 2025
End Date: Sunday, 22 June 2025
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 2 March 2025
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 11 May 2025

Description

This course explores the tremendous architectural and engineering achievements of the Romans from the 2nd century BC - 4th century AD. The course will focus on a variety of architectural buildings, forms, techniques and materials, and will also examine some of the cultural and historical factors underlying the Romans' success as architects. This course is suitable for Civil Engineering students as well as Arts students.

This course explores all aspects of Roman architecture from the principles of engineering (cement, arches, vaults) to the refinements that make Roman buildings visually appealing. If the Romans built it, we'll be studying it: amphitheatres, baths, circuses, houses, temples, basilicas, aqueducts, bridges, and even sewers and loos. We will also be looking at the architectural and other features of Roman cities. This course will help prepare you for your OE in Europe.

Learning Outcomes

  • An understanding of the history of Roman architecture and the Romans’ contribution to engineering.
  • An understanding of the relationship between Roman architecture, the development of Roman imperial cities, and the way in which architecture helped the Romans administer their empire.
  • An appreciation of the impact of Roman architecture on Western culture and institutions, and on the architecture of European colonies.
  • Improved transferrable skills in several areas: writing skills and critical/analytical ability, oral presentation skills, ability to convey information to an academic audience, giving/receiving feedback, self-confidence and time management.
    • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

      Globally aware

      Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

Restrictions

CLAS322, CLAS314: in 2012 and 2014 only

Equivalent Courses

CLAS314: in 2012 and 2014 only

Timetable 2025

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 14:00 - 16:00 Meremere 526
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 14:00 - 15:00 Meremere 526
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
Tutorial A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 15:00 - 16:00 Jane Soons 603
24 Feb - 2 Mar
10 Mar - 16 Mar
24 Mar - 30 Mar
28 Apr - 4 May
12 May - 18 May
26 May - 1 Jun

Timetable Note

Classes will be held at the City Campus in the Arts Centre, 3 Hereford Street.

Course Coordinator

Alison Griffith

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Participation and attendance 10% Attendance, materials quiz in week 3, and participation in workshops
Assignment 20% Ancient building assignment
Oral Presentation and research essay (3000 words) 40% Oral presentation (15 minutes) - 10% Rough draft of essay - 10%, due week after presentation Final version of essay - 20%
Final Exam 30% In- person exam, time date and place to be announced.


Please check the course LEARN page for further details and updates.

Textbooks / Resources

Required Texts

Sear, Frank; Roman Architure ; London: Routledge, 1998.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $2,169.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Minimum enrolments

This course will not be offered if fewer than 10 people apply to enrol.

For further information see Humanities .

All CLAS422 Occurrences

  • CLAS422-25S1 (A) Semester One 2025 (The Arts Centre Christchurch)