This biannual learning unit is being organized in 2026-2027
Teacher(s)
Language
English
Prerequisites
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Content
The research seminar is conceived as an introduction to scientific research in Ancient history. It involves the writing of an scientific essay and the oral communication of scientific results to an audience. Given the fragmentary nature of ancient sources, emphasis will be placed on pluridisciplinary research perspectives including philology, archaeology, numismatics, and epigraphy. Students are expected to conduct research under the professor's supervision, on a theme that is defined on a yearly basis. They will be introduced to every step of scientific research in Ancient history; namely, the definition of a research question, heuristics, bibliographic research and the critical use of published works, scientific argumentation, critical assessment of the ancient sources and published works, development of skills in writing publication reviews and state of art.
The theme selected for the 2026–2027 academic year focuses on sacred spaces in ancient Greece. Within this general theme, each student will investigate a case of their choice from the Aegean world, following guidelines and a methodology that will be provided during the course.
The theme selected for the 2026–2027 academic year focuses on sacred spaces in ancient Greece. Within this general theme, each student will investigate a case of their choice from the Aegean world, following guidelines and a methodology that will be provided during the course.
Teaching methods
Theoretical introduction, classroom discussion, and individual or group presentations on the research topic. Lectures by external researchers will be planned during the Fall Session. Attendance is mandatory and will be part of the assessment for the course.
Various exercises will be held throughout the year so as to train the students to the use of the various ancient sources and methods available to the historian. The students will present to the classroom their current state of research. These activities are designed toward the production of a final essay that will be submitted at the end of the Spring session. This essay should be 20 to 25 pages in length, and include the analysis of various ancient sources to the extent possible. Students will present their main results to the classroom as part of the final assessment for the course.
Various exercises will be held throughout the year so as to train the students to the use of the various ancient sources and methods available to the historian. The students will present to the classroom their current state of research. These activities are designed toward the production of a final essay that will be submitted at the end of the Spring session. This essay should be 20 to 25 pages in length, and include the analysis of various ancient sources to the extent possible. Students will present their main results to the classroom as part of the final assessment for the course.
Evaluation methods
Continuous assessment :
- Commitment and participation throughout the seminar, based on interim assignments and presentations (15% of the final grade). Oral presentation of scientific results prior to the submission of the final paper (15% of the final grade). A final paper, between 20 and 30 pages in length (70% of the final grade).
- All learning activities are conducted in English as part of the bilingual Bachelor’s program in History in the PHLB Faculty. Students enrolled in the unilingual Bachelor’s program in History may participate in the course, but they must do so in English and submit written assignments in English.
- Spelling and syntax errors will result in a penalty of up to 5 points off the final grade. Failure to adhere to standards of integrity in scientific research and academic writing may result in a failing grade for the course.
- Adherence to the deadlines for submitting all assignments is mandatory: no extensions will be granted, and each day of delay will result in a score of 0/20. Only duly justified cases of force majeure (Art. 103) will be considered.
- When preparing written assignments or visual materials for the oral presentation, any use of generative AI—other than that explicitly authorized in the course instructions—is prohibited and will be considered academic fraud under the RGEE.
- The final grade for this course is based on the oral presentation and the written presentation of the results of the work (June session) and on the written assignment alone (August session). For the June session assessment, failure in either component is cumulative (failure in the written or oral component results in failure of the entire assessment). Furthermore, in the event of suspected cheating, the instructor may summon the student. The student must be able to demonstrate, orally, mastery of the content covered in their written assignment (in this case, the “failure-carries-over” rule stated above also applies).
Other information
Teaching materials :
Powerpoint presentations presented in class, methodological summaries regarding the different steps of scientific research, general bibliography on the annual topic of the seminar.
Powerpoint presentations presented in class, methodological summaries regarding the different steps of scientific research, general bibliography on the annual topic of the seminar.
Online resources
A list of references on the chosen research topic is made available to the students via Moodle; the building of a bibliography pertaining to the specific research question investigated by the student is awaited as part of the research training activities for the course.
Faculty or entity
