Ancient Religion and the Senses



Overview

Every religion has rituals that the human body experiences with different senses. This course explores the importance of sensory experiences in understanding ancient societies, especially their religions, which is an ongoing growing focus in archaeology. 

During the week we will:

  • identify and discuss ancient religious practices and rituals and how past communities and individuals might have experienced them through senses;
  • critically examine a variety of material cultures and sites of religious significance, also through the lens of senses, while considering the challenges of this approach; and
  • cover case studies from across the Mediterranean, from the Near East to Portugal, including Britain, from the Iron Age to the Hellenistic and Roman periods. 

This course will not be only lecture-based. We will also have engaging seminars where you can actively participate and discuss specific case studies and recent cutting-edge research.

During the course, we will immerse ourselves in ancient religious practices and experience the cult of the famous god Mithras at the Mithraeum in London and artefacts with a religious function and significance in the Ashmolean Museum.

This course is part of the Oxford University Summer School for Adults (OUSSA) programme.

Programme details

Seminars

Participants are taught in small seminar groups of up to 10 students, and receive two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor. 

Sunday

Seminar 1

Introductory seminar where we will introduce each other and discuss our ideas of religion, ancient religions and the use of senses considering, for instance, our personal items, every-day or religious settings. It will be also based on their preliminary course work and reading.

Seminar 2

An introductory lecture-based class led by tutor. This will build the foundation of the course and cover the following: What is religion? What is the sensory turn? How do we use senses in archaeology and religion? Previous scholarly work on religion with a particular focus on Roman period will be outlined. The lecture will be followed by 15-30 minutes of discussion.

Monday

Seminar 3

A lecture-based class led by the tutor who will provide a more detailed overview of religion and religious practices in the Classical world. The lecture will be followed by 15-30 minutes of discussion.

Seminar 4

We will move to the application of multisensory approach to case studies from Italy (Pompeii), Near East, Britain and Portugal. It will be followed by 15-30 minutes of discussion.

Tuesday

Seminar 5

We will carry on discussing case studies across the Mediterranean and focusing on experiencing Mithraea in different parts of Roman empire in preparation to the visit of the example in London. It will be lecture-based but we will have dedicated time for discussion.

Seminar 6

We will visit the Ashmolean Museum looking at different artefacts with a religious significance or function. We will have time to discuss our perception of these artefacts through senses in a café.

Wednesday

Seminar 7

We will discuss two articles that tackle multisensory approach in understanding religion in the Classical World.

Seminar 8

We will discuss two articles using multisensory approach in understanding religion not necessarily from the Classical world. Does it change or enrich our understanding of religion? Is the sensory approach valid?

Thursday

Seminar 9 and 10

We will visit and experience the Mithraeum in London through senses.

Friday

Seminar 11

This day will be dedicated to students’ presentations. Each presentation will be roughly 10 minutes. There will be a time to discuss case studies in preparation to the essay and for questions.

Seminar 12

We will draw conclusion of the topic, themes and case studies discussed in the course. We will discuss pros and cons of sensory approach and how this course might have made us feel more connected with the world and ourselves, considering additionally this article: Awaken your senses! How to bring your body back to life

Programme timetable

The daily timetable will normally be as follows:

Saturday

14.00–16.30 - Registration

16.30–17.00 - Orientation meeting

17.00–17.30 - Classroom orientation for tutor and students

17.30–18.00 - Drinks reception

18.00–20.00 - Welcome dinner

Sunday – Friday

09.00–10.30 - Seminar

10.30–11.00 - Tea/coffee break

11.00–12.30 - Seminar

12.30–13.30 - Lunch

13.30–18.00 - Afternoons are free for tutorials, individual study, course-related field trips or exploring the many places of interest in and around Oxford.

18.00–19.00 - Dinner (there is a formal gala dinner every Friday to close each week of the programme).

A range of optional social events will be offered throughout the summer school. These are likely to include: a quiz night, visit to historic pubs in Oxford, visit to Christ Church for Evensong and after-dinner talks and discussions.

Certification

Certificate of Attendance

All participants who complete the course will receive a physical Certificate of Attendance.

Digital badge

You will also be issued with an official digital badge of attendance. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download this. You will be able to share this on social media and add to your email signature if you wish to do so.

Academic credit

OUSSA is an accredited summer school taught at undergraduate level; each one-week course carries 10 CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points at FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) Level 4.

CATS points will be awarded to students who attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment to the required standard. Please see the 'assessment methods' section below for more details.

Certificate of Higher Education

Credit (CATS points) earned from OUSSA can be transferred towards our flexible Certificate of Higher Education. This part-time, award-bearing course lets you decide what, how and where you study by gaining credit from short courses, including short online courses, in-person weekly classes and OUSSA.

For full details, including transfering credit gained from OUSSA to the programme, see our Certificate of Higher Education programme page.

Fees

Description Costs
Fee Option 1 (Single en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) £2305.00
Fee Option 2 (Double en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) 1 person £2410.00
Fee Option 3 (Twin en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) per person £1950.00
Fee Option 4 (No Accommodation - inc. Tuition, Lunch & Dinner) £1475.00

Funding

Concessionary rates are available on a non-residential basis for those that qualify. 

The concessionary fee is for non-residential attendance only; participants will then be responsible for finding their own accommodation. See full details including eligibility.

Payment

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances; however, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.

Payment terms

  • If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking
  • If submitting an application form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date

Cancellations and refunds

Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses.

The Department cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason. You are advised to check the terms and conditions carefully and to purchase travel insurance.

Tutor

Dr Francesca Mazzilli

I have been teaching Classical Archaeology at Royal Holloway University of London, the University of Durham, the University of Bergen, where I undertook a MSCA fellowship, and at the University of Münster, where I am currently a WiRe fellow. 

Course aims

This course aims to:

  • Critically investigate religious practices in the Classical world across the Mediterranean and Britain.
  • Critically examine material culture with a religious function and significance and religious sites in the Classical world across the Mediterranean and Britain.
  • Critically investigate sensory approach in understanding past societies, artefacts, and especially ancient religions.
  • Explore senses in experiencing our world and items that we use in our life, especially those with a particular significance to us.
  • Investigate the plurality of voices in ancient religions and the diverse ways of experiencing and thinking about ancient religious practices.

Teaching methods

The teaching methods used during this course may include:

  • Short lectures/presentations
  • Seminars/group discussions
  • Student presentations

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course students will have been given the opportunity to identify, understand and critically discuss: 

  • a variety of religious practices in the Classical world across the Mediterranean and Britain;
  • material culture with religious function and religious sites and their diversity in the Classical world across the Mediterranean and Britain;
  • application of multisensory approach to archaeology (especially ancient religious practices, artefacts and sites) and its challenges;
  • the use of senses in our daily life; and
  • a plurality of voices in ancient religions, and the diverse ways of experiencing and thinking about ancient religious practices.

Assessment methods

Participants are required to undertake preparatory reading and complete a pre-course assignment of 1,500 words. Although this does not count towards credit, it is seen as an important way of developing your ideas and is mandatory. The pre-course assignment is typically due in the first week of June.

You will be assessed during the summer school by either a 1,000 word written assignment or a presentation supported by individual documentation. To successfully gain credit (10 CATS points) students should attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment.

Participants will also attend two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor during the week.

Please see the 'certification' section for more details about CATS points.

Application

Most courses fill quickly so early registration is strongly recommended. If your preferred course is fully booked, you may wish to add yourself to the waiting list and the Programme Administrator will contact you should a place become available.

Please note, the programme is only open to those over the age of 18.

Online enrolment (single person accommodation and non-residential)

Single accommodation, double room for 1 person and non-residential places should be booked online by clicking on the 'Book now' button at the top of this page.

Online enrolments require payment in full at the time of registering.

Enrolment form (multi-occupancy or accessible accommodation)

Those requiring twin, double or accessible accommodation (including ground/lower floor accommodation) should complete an enrolment form as these rooms cannot be booked or requested online. 

Please send the completed enrolment form to the email address below. Both the PDF and Word option of the form below are editable, so you can complete them online before saving and sending to us as an email attachment. You do not need to print and scan them. (Please use these forms only if you are making a twin or double booking for two people.)

Those who have specific requirements (eg an accessible bedroom) should contact the Programme Administrator directly at oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or OUSSA, University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.

Accommodation

Residential options are outlined below.

Please see the 'application' section above for guidance on how to book or request the right accommodation for you.

Residential option

This includes accommodation and all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). 

View full details of Rewley House accommodation.

Non-residential option

We also offer places on a non-residential basis whereby participants can take classes and have meals (lunch and dinner) at Rewley House, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support