Senses and Ancient Religions



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 a growing focus within archaeology. 

By the end of the course, you will be able to identify and discuss ancient religious practices and rituals and how past communities and individuals might have experienced them through multiple senses. You will be able to critically examine a variety of material culture and sites of religious significance, also through the lens of senses, while considering the challenges of this approach. We will 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 ourselves 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

A lecture-based class led by the tutor. It will build the foundation of the course and cover the following topics: 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, focusing on experiencing Mithraea in different parts of the Roman empire in preparation for our visit to the Mithraeum in London. This will be a lecture-based class with dedicated time for discussion.

Seminar 6

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

Wednesday

Seminar 7

This day will be dedicated to students’ presentations. Each presentation will be roughly 10 minutes. After the presentations there will be plenty of time for questions. 

Seminar 8

We might need to use this time for continuing with the presentations. Then, we will discuss one or two articles that take a multisensory approach to understanding religion in the Classical World.

Thursday

Visit and experience the Mithraeum in London through senses. 

Friday

Seminar 11

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

Seminar 12

From these articles we will draw conclusions of the topics, themes and case studies discussed in the course. We will discuss the pros and cons of a sensory approach and how this course might have made us feel more connected with the world and ourselves

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.

Fees

Description Costs
Fee Option 1 (Single en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) £2050.00
Fee Option 2 (Double en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) 1 person £2100.00
Fee Option 3 (Twin en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) per person £1680.00
Fee Option 4 (No Accommodation - inc. Tuition, Lunch & Dinner) £1250.00

Funding

Concessionary rates are available on a non-residential basis for those that qualify, more information can be found here.

Unfortunately we do not offer any specific scholarships or funding opportunities for OUSSA programme, but you can visit our departmental funding webpage, where you may be able to find a particular source of funding that matches your requirements alongside meeting the funding criteria.

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.

Tuition and meals are included in the programme fee, with both residential and non-residential options available.

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

1. Cancellation by you

Participants who wish to cancel must inform the Programme Administrator in writing: by email to oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or by post to OUSSA, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.

The following cancellation and refund policy applies in all cases:

  • Cancellation within 14 days of online enrolment / payment of fees – full refund of all fees paid.
  • Cancellations received up to and including 30 April 2025 – OUDCE will retain an administration fee of £100 per week booked; all other fees paid will be refunded.
  • Cancellations received between 1-31 May 2025 – OUDCE will retain 60% of the fees paid; the remaining 40% of fees paid will be refunded.
  • Cancellations received on and after 1 June 2025 - no refunds will be made.

2. Cancellation by us

Where there is good reason, OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course by giving you notice in writing at any time before the course is due to start. In these cases, we will endeavour to offer a transfer to another available course if practical and acceptable to you, subject to payment or refund of any difference in the course fees. Alternatively, we will refund the course fees that you have already paid. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred. The status of this course will be reviewed on 1 May 2025. If it is likely that the course may be cancelled, anyone affected will be notified by email within 7 days; if you have not heard from OUDCE by 8 May 2025, you should assume that your course will be running. You may wish to delay finalising your travel arrangements until after this date.

OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course at short notice in exceptional circumstances that would prevent the course from being delivered e.g. tutor illness. In these rare instances, we will notify you as soon as possible and arrange a transfer to another available Oxford Experience course. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred.

Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

3. Travel insurance 

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 cancellation policies carefully and to purchase travel insurance.

Tutor

Dr Francesca Mazzilli

Tutor

Francesca has been teaching Classical Archaeology at various UK and European universities (the Royal Holloway University of London, the University of Durham, the University of Bergen, and the University of Münster). She has organised archaeological courses of ancient religion and Classical world for Oxford University Department for Continuing Education. She has received prestigious European postdoctoral fellowships (MSCA, Women in Research) exploring different aspects of religion in the Classical World from the West to the East of the Mediterranean.

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 approaches to 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, you will be expected to identify, understand, and critically discuss:

  • A variety of religious practices in the Classical world across the Mediterranean and Britain
  • Material culture with religious functions and religious sites and their diversity in the Classical world across the Mediterranean and Britain
  • Applications of the multisensory approach to archaeology (especially ancient religious practices, artefacts and sites) and its challenges
  • The use of senses in our daily life
  • 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 attend two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor during the week.

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. Learn more about CATS points.

Certificate of Higher Education

Credit earned from OUSSA can be transferred towards our flexible Certificate of Higher Education.

Study when and where it suits you by gaining credit from short courses, including short online courses, weekly classes and OUSSA, and build your way to an Oxford University award. This part-time undergraduate programme lasts between two and four years depending on how intensively you want to study.  

Find out more about the Certificate of Higher Education.

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.

Single accommodation, double room for 1 person and non-residential places may be booked online by clicking on the “Book now” button in the “Course details” box at the top right-hand side of the course page.

Those requiring twin, double or accessible accommodation should complete an enrolment form as these rooms cannot be booked 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.)

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

Those who do not wish to register online or who have specific requirements (eg an accessible bedroom) should contact the Programme Administrator directly at oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or OUSSA, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA, UK.

Accommodation

More information about our accommodation can be found here.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support