Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 293"
COURSE NAME: "Modern Rome & Its Monuments (Rome City Series)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2017

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Laura Foster
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: W9:15 AM 12:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Rome City Series - The urban development and architecture of modern Rome are perhaps the least studied aspects of the city's history. The 150th anniversary of Italian unity, celebrated in 2011, and recent work on architecture under the Fascist regime have created a new interest in Rome as a modern capital. To many foreign visitors, however, the contemporary city is simply a frame through which to see monuments of a glorious but distant past. This course will examine the vast transformations in the urban and architectural development of Rome that took place between 1870 and 1945, with special look at the new role that they city's historic monuments, from antiquity to the 18th century, played in representing the city as the capital of a modern nation-state and as the emblem of a new empire under Mussolini. We will also consider contemporary urban questions: Why has there been so little modification to the center of Rome since the 1940s? What space is available for new construction and how do contemporary architectural projects relate to those of the past? These questions and others will be explored through in-class lectures and on-site exploration of the city.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
After an introduction to the methods of reading architecture and urban form, we will walk through specific neighborhoods to observe the new attitude toward Rome in the attempt to distance the association of the city with the papacy. Wide boulevards, elegant city villas, and new spaces of commerce and leisure characterize Rome under the Liberal State. The city was rapidly transformed after 1925 according to a new political and architectural program overseen largely by Benito Mussolini himself. We will analyze the stark contrast between Rome as the capital of the Liberal State and that under Fascism, which introduced modernism in architectural design to the city. While reworking the urban fabric, Mussolini also made use of ancient monuments as part of a theatrical display of imperial power. The last lectures explore the possibilities for architecture in the post-World War II era, a time of critical response to the changes that had occurred just decades before.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

•Broad familiarity with classicism in architectural design and the development of modern architecture, and the ability to employ stylistic and technical terminology in describing individual works.

•An understanding of patterns of modern urban development and the special challenges presented by a city with history spanning three millennia.

•An ability to identify Rome’s layers of development, distinguishing between different historical periods.

•Knowledge of the connection of Italy’s political history to the appearance of Rome through readings and lectures.

•The competence to engage in a sophisticated discussion of architecture on the formal level of design and the contextual level of historical analysis.

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number
The Architecture of Modern Italy, Vol. 1: The Challenge of Tradition	Terry Kirk	Princeton Architectural Press	1568984200
The Architecture of Modern Italy, Vol. 2: Visions of Utopia, 1900-Present	Terry Kirk	Princeton Architectural Press	1568984367
Modernism in Italian Architecture, 1890-1940	Richard Etlin	MIT Press	9780262050388
Rome: An Urban History from Antiquity to the Present	Spiro Kostof, Katherine Rinne and Rabun Taylor	Cambridge University Press	9781107601499

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Class Participation and Attendance	This site class meets only once per week and is almost entirely on site; therefore, attendance is essential. The lectures are not composed simply of a tour of monuments, but will involve complex analysis at the monuments themselves. In order to grasp the concepts presented in course readings and handouts, participation is essential. Students will be evaluated on their attention to lectures by questions asked and ideas discussed. Engagement with in-class assignments will also be evaluated.	10%
On-site exercises in observation and understanding architectural design	Students will complete a series of exercises in notetaking and observation in order to hone knowledge of architectural terminology and urban form. Students will be required to transform notes taken on site into a short 2-page essay. The exercises will be evaluated individually according to accuracy and engagement with the material, but the final grade will be based on the exercises taken together. See the course schedule for dates of the individual exercises.	20%
Midterm Examination	Through short answer questions, image identifications and an essay question, students will demonstrate an understanding of architectural terminology, styles, the period of urban history covered in the first half of the semester and the specific monuments seen during the lectures.	20%
Comparative Essay	The objective of this written assignment of 5-6 pages is to bring together material studied during this course by comparing architectural monuments constructed during the two distinct political periods we have covered. Students will apply skills of direct observation of architectural design and understanding of urban development in order to analyze the strategies of representation used by architects and patrons in the period between 1870 and 1943. The paper will include visual descriptions of the two buildings or urban spaces, an explanation of their function, and analysis of their specific location in Rome. While not technically a research paper, students will be expected to include proper bibliographic source material.	25%
Final Examination	The format for the final exam will be similar to the midterm, with emphasis on material from the second half of the semester. The essay questions will be on topics taken from themes discussed in the entire course.	25%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Please see the statement above regarding attendance in the section on assignments.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Wednesday Jan 18 Rome as Idea: The Concept of the Capital in the 19^th Century
Meeting place Classroom

Wednesday, Jan 25    Reading architecture and urban form: The Tiber River and Lungotevere avenues
       In-Class Exercise 1
Meeting place             Classroom
Assigned Reading      •Readings must be completed before the class meeting
                                    Barry Bergdoll, European Architecture, 1750-1890, Chapters 2 & 8

Wednesday, Feb 1      The Making of la Terza Roma in the Historic Center
Meeting Place             Piazza del Popolo
Itinerary                      Piazza del Popolo, Galleria Colonna, Palazzo di Montecitorio, the Pantheon, Galleria Sciarra, Monument to Vittorio
                                     Emanuele

Assigned Reading Terry Kirk, The Architecture of Modern Italy: Vol. 1 The Challenge of Tradition, 1750-1900, pp. 87-89; 112-122; 219-240.
On reserve in Frohring Library, NA1114.K574 Vol. 1

Wednesday, Feb 8      Roma Alta: Urban Expansion on the Esquiline and Quirinal Hills
Meeting Place             Piazza della Repubblica
Itinerary                      Piazza della Repubblica; Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, Acquario, via Nazionale
   In-Class Exercise 2

Assigned Reading Bergdoll, European Architecture, Chapters 5 & 7

Kirk, The Architecture of Modern Italy, Vol. 1, pp. 241-245

Wednesday Feb 15     The 1911 International Exhibition and Its Urban Effects
Meeting Place             Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna
Itinerary                      Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna and Valle Giulia

Assigned Reading Terry Kirk, The Architecture of Modern Italy. Vol. 1, pp. 246-259

Wednesday Feb 22     The Meaning of Modernity in Rome of the Belle Époque: Quartiere Coppedè, Villa Ludovisi and via Venet
Meeting Place            Piazza Buenos Aires
Itinerary                      Quartiere Coppedè, Villini and Hotels on and around via Veneto

Assigned Reading Terry Kirk, The Architecture of Modern Italy: Vol. 2 Visions of Utopia, 1900 - Present, Ch. 5 pp. 15-34

Wednesday, Mar 1      From Garden City to Suburban Exile: The Development of Quartiere Garbatella
Meeting Place            At the exit of Metro B Garbatella stop
Itinerary                      Garbatella neighborhood from Piazza Benedetto Brin to Piazza Eugenio Biffi

Assigned Reading Richard A. Etlin, Modernism in Italian Architecture, 1890-1940, Ch. 5 (all) On Permanent Reserves, NA1118.E86

Wednesday Mar 8 MIDTERM EXAMINATION (1 hr 30 mins) / Lecture: The Origins of Fascism and the Use of Rome
Meeting Place Classroom, 9:00 instead of 9:15 A.M.

Assigned Reading Terry Kirk, The Architecture of Modern Italy: Vol. 2, Ch. 5, pp. 43-61

Wednesday Mar 15    Disembowelment and Purification: Archeological Excavation and Urban Displacement
                                      In-Class Writing Exercise
Meeting Place             Piazza di Torre Argentina
Itinerary                      Piazza di Torre Argentina, via delle Botteghe Oscure, Piazza Venezia and Palazzo Venezia, via dei Fori Imperiali

Assigned Readings Etlin, Modernism in Italian Architecture, Ch. 11 pp. 391-403

Spiro Kostof, “His Majesty the Pick: The Aesthetics of Demolition,” in Streets: Critical Perspectives on Public Space,
pp. 9-22. On course reserves

Wednesday Mar 22    A Forum for Mussolini: Foro Italico & Ministero degli Esteri
Meeting Place             In front of obelisk at Foro Italico
Itinerary                      Academy of Physical Education and Marble Stadium; Obelisk and Foro Mussolini, Swimming Pools, Fencing Academy;
                                     Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Assigned Readings Terry Kirk, The Architecture of Modern Italy: Vol. 2, Ch. 6 pp. 128-132.

Etlin, Modernism in Italian Architecture, Ch. 11, pp. 426-434

Simonetta Falasca-Zamponi, Fascist Spectacle, Ch. 3. On course reserves, DG571.F2

Wednesday Mar 29     Tensions between Modernism and Classicism: The Development of the Stile Littorio
                                      •In-Class Writing Exercise
Meeting Place             viale Trastevere in front of the Ministry for Public Instruction
Itinerary                      Casa GIL, walk through Testaccio, Ostiense Post Office, Stazione Ostiense;

Assigned Reading Terry Kirk, The Architecture of Modern Italy: Vol. 2, Ch. 6 pp. 95-108.

SPRING BREAK APRIL 3 - 7

Wednesday Apr 12 Fascism as permanent exhibition: E42 (the EUR district)
Meeting Place At the exit of Metro B Magliana stop

Itinerary “Square Colosseum”, Restaurant Building, Expo Building, Palazzo dei Congressi, Piazza Marconi

Assigned Readings Terry Kirk, The Architecture of Modern Italy: Vol. 2, Ch. 6 pp. 133-141
Etlin, Modernism in Italian Architecture, Ch. 13 (all)

Wednesday Apr 19     Death and the Regime: Piazza Augusto Imperatore and the Ara Pacis Museum
                                    *Comparative Essay due in class
Meeting Place             Via Portico d’Ottavia, in front of the ancient monument
Itinerary                      Jewish Ghetto, then Piazza d’Augusto Imperatore

Assigned Readings Etlin, Modernism in Italian Architecture, Ch. 15 (all)

Thursday Apr 26         Possibilities for architecture in Postwar Rome: From the 1960 Olympics to the 2000 Jubilee
Meeting Place              In parking lot of Palazzetto dello Sport, via de Couberti
Itinerary                      Palazzetto dello Sport, Olympic Village, Auditorium della Musica, MAXXI Museum

DATE, TIME AND LOCATION OF FINAL EXAM TO BE ANNOUNCED.