UNIVERSITY OF LONDON M.A. Courses in: Ancient History Classical Art & Archaeology Classics Late Antique & Byzantine Studies Published on behalf of: The Institute of Classical Studies King's College London, Classics Department Royal Holloway, Classics Department University College London, Greek and Latin Department University College London, History Department

Guidelines for Coursework

Most taught courses in the above M.A. degrees are assessed by coursework, rather than by a written examination paper. The standard requirement for coursework is four essays (or assignments) of around 3,000 words each, or two or three essays of equivalent aggregate length, or equivalent written assignments or examination-type tests. These totals include the text and footnotes/endnotes, but exclude the bibliography, tables and any other illustrations. If in doubt, consult the teacher of the course.

The number of assessed essays (or assignments or tests) normally required for a course is specified in the List of Courses in this booklet. The teacher(s) may propose a variation to the published norm for approval by the Board of Examiners, as long as it applies to all the students taking the course in that year. The topics to be treated in essays/assignments of individual students are at the discretion of the teacher(s).

Coursework must give clear references to all ancient material and modern views discussed, so that readers (and the examiners) can locate them easily. References to ancient authors can normally be incorporated in the main text (e.g. 'Tacitus (Hist. 2.13) tells us . .'), but references to modern works are better given in consecutively numbered footnotes or endnotes (i.e. notes at the bottom of the page of main text to which they relate, or notes given together at the end of the main text). Pictorial illustrations, if any, should be relevant to the discussion, not merely decorative. They should be numbered consecutively for clarity of reference in the text, have a brief identifying caption, and should be reproduced clearly. A bibliography of the main modern works consulted or cited must be given at the end of each essay/ assignment. This should not include ancient authors, unless a particular edition is being cited specifically.

The latest possible deadline for submission of coursework is 1 June. In this case coursework should be submitted to the office of the Department of the College in which the candidate is registered. Course teachers may set deadlines for particular pieces of work which are earlier than 1 June. In such cases coursework may be submitted directly to that teacher. Normally at least one piece of work should be submitted by the end of the first term.

In courses assessed by the best three out of four (or two out of three, or four out of five) pieces of coursework, all of which must be submitted, work may not be revised for resubmission in the light of comments by the teacher. In courses assessed by all the coursework submitted, no more than one full piece of coursework may be so revised.

A mark of zero will automatically be given to coursework not submitted, or submitted after the deadline without the prior permission of the Chair of M.A. Examiners. Delayed submission will only be allowed if there are exceptional problems which are reported and authenticated by the teacher or tutor to the Chair before the deadline. Course teachers or College postgraduate tutors are not empowered to grant extensions to the final deadline. Requests for such extensions should be directed via the postgraduate tutor of the candidate's College to the Chair.

All coursework, except examination-type tests, must be submitted in two clean easily readable copies, preferably typed. Each piece of work must have a cover-sheet and declaration signed by the candidate following the model given overpage. Copies must be stapled and not bound in folders. One copy of the coursework will, after marking/examination, be returned to the candidate.

Coursework which is badly presented and difficult to read or which substantially exceeds the maximum aggregate word limit of 12,000 words is liable to be very severely penalised by the Examiners. The candidate may instead be given the option of applying to defer submission of the coursework (in suitably revised form) in the following academic year.

Plagiarism
Failure to indicate that you are quoting, or closely paraphrasing, someone else's argument, words or material is a form of cheating called plagiarism. All quotations or paraphrases must be individually acknowledged by giving a precise reference to the source in a footnote, and word-for-word quotations must be placed in quotation-marks. Plagiarism is considered an examination offence under the University's M.A. Regulations, and as such will be referred to the appropriate committee of the Examinations Office for investigation and, if necessary, disciplinary action.