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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "SOSC/ITS 226-2"
COURSE NAME: "Rome: Modern City (On-site)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2017
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
James Schwarten
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
W2:15 PM 5:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This on-site course, which will be conducted in English, aims to introduce students to a sociological analysis of contemporary Rome. It focuses on the changes which are occurring in the city’s populations, its neighborhoods and patterns of daily life and commerce, and challenges conventional images of what it is to be a Roman today. On-site classes will be held in a variety of neighborhoods in the city in order to analyze the area’s role as a social entity and its relationship with the wider urban context. We will examine the issues and problems facing Rome today, such as housing, degradation and renewal, environmental questions, transportation, multiculturalism, wealth and poverty, social conflict and political identities. These issues will be contextualized within theories of urban sociology and also within an explanation of Rome’s urban development over the centuries and, in particular, since it became the national capital in 1870. Through readings, film clips, interviews and guest speakers, students will also analyze the way the city is narrated by some of its residents.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
On-site classes will be held in a variety of neighborhoods in the city in order to analyze each area’s status as a social entity and its relationship with the wider urban context. These will include teacher-guided group discussions and observational activities to refine students’ skills of sociological analysis. Lectures and readings will provide students with historical, topographical and sociological information about the area and will introduce relevant urban theories through which to interpret its particular issues. In-class debates will encourage students to question the applicability of theories to the realities observed on-site. Students will watch excerpts of films, read various literary texts and talk to residents of the city (in on-site interviews or with guest speakers) in order to analyze the different discourses through which the city is narrated. Students are expected to do their assigned readings punctually and to follow developments in Roman and Italian society by reading newspaper articles throughout the semester.
Student Responsibilities:
Students will attend every class and arrive on time for all class sessions and on-site visits. They will keep up with assigned readings and out additional assignments. They will turn in assignments promptly. Five points will be deducted from each assignment that is not turned in on time for each day it is late.
The assessment criteria listed below refer to all assessment methods in the course.
Students are strongly urged to begin to familiarize themselves with the city's areas and public transportation system.
RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT:
The research assignment makes up 30% of the course grade – 20% for the written paper and 10% for the oral presentation to the class. Students should choose a topic relevant to the course and write 1,500-2,000 words, based on research using at least three academic sources (library books, academic web material and supplemented by newspaper articles where relevant). Non-academic internet material is not reliable and should be avoided. (NO Wikipedia, please!) If you have doubts about the appropriateness of a source, check with the instructor. All sources must be cited in the text and bibliography following a recognized citation system.
Students should start researching their topic well in advance. The topic must be communicated to the instructor by February 1. All other important deadlines are listed in the Course Schedule. The deadline for the completed essay is April 12.
The oral presentations will take place in the last two weeks of classes. Students will be required to give a 10-12 minute explanation of the topic of their research paper, explaining its relevance to the course, the methods used to collect information, their main findings and conclusions and a brief discussion of the sources used. Classmates will be encouraged to ask questions and engage in debate/discussion.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of the course students should be able to:
1) Demonstrate knowledge of the city’s urban development since it became national capital.
2) Demonstrate familiarity with the economic, political, social, religious, cultural and institutional diversity that characterizes the city of Rome today.
3) Describe individual neighborhoods and identify their key roles and relations with the broader urban context.
4) Identify the main sociological features of each neighborhood and, where problems and conflicts exist, propose solutions.
5) Demonstrate familiarity with major theories of urban sociology and apply them to the case-study neighborhoods in order to assess their validity and relevance for understanding the particular situation of Rome.
6) Analyze various cinematic, literary and interview discourses of the city by its residents.
7) Students will develop their research skills by carrying out a paper project, based on high quality bibliographical research as well as some fieldwork techniques, if appropriate. The methods, instruments, and conclusions of the paper will form the basis of an in-class oral presentation.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Attendance | Missing more than 2 classes without valid justification will reduce the final grade by 3% for each absence. | 5 |
| Participation | Assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. Includes such practices as actively participating in class debates/discussions, offering insightful comments, asking pertinent questions, punctuality for in-class and on-cite sessions. | 5 |
| Midterm Exam | | 20 |
| Research Paper | In-depth research on an aspect of modern Rome (1,500-2,000 words) based on three academic sources. Handouts will be provided. | 15 |
| Presentation (in class) | In-class presentation of the research project. | 10 |
| Final Exam | | 30 |
| Field Notes | Students are required to hand in typed field notes, which include lecture notes, observations, and insights. These will be assessed for thoroughness and relevance to course readings, notes, discussions. | 10 |
| Writing Center | Students are expected to attend the writing center for guidance on the research paper. | 5 |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A
Work 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. 94-100 (A) 90-93.99 (A-)
B
This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments. 88-89.99 (B+) 84-87.99 (B) 80-83.99 (B-)
C
This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings. 78-79.99 (C+) 74-77.99 (C) 70-73.99 (C-)
D
This 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. 68-69.99 (D+) 64-67.99 (D) 60-63.99 (D-)
F
This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant. 0-59.99 (F)
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
Course-specific absence policy: Each unjustified absence (for whatever reason) beyond the second will incur a 3% penalty in the final-grade calculation.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Please note: In-class sessions meet from 1:30pm to 4:15pm (except for January 18); On-site sessions meet from 2:15pm to 5:00pm.
It is possible that dates of on-site visits will change. It is your responsibility to be informed of any changes. These will be announced in class and via email or Moodle.
Readings may be changed and additional readings may supplement this list. All course readings will be provided.
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Session
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Session Focus
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Reading Assignment
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Other Assignment
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Meeting Place and Time
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WK 1
Jan 18
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Course introduction, syllabus, goals and expectations
What is a city? Introduction to Urban Sociology
What is Rome? The historical development of Rome from the 1870 to the present
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Clough Marinaro & Thomassen ("Into the City: The Changing Faces of Rome")
Caracciolo ("Rome in the past Hundred Years")
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In class
2:15pm |
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WK 2
Jan 25
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Rome's vast periphery
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On site
2:15pm-5:00pm
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WK3
Feb 1
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Lecture and class discussion on the form and function of cities
Analysis of urban development in Rome
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Delle Donne ("Rome the Capital")
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Paper topic due |
In class
1:30pm-4:15pm
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WK 4
Feb 8
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Testaccio
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Rhodes, ch. 1 (Stupendous, Miserable City)
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On site
2:15pm-5:00pm
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WK 5
Feb 15
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Garbatella
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De Michelis ("The garden suburb of the Garbatella") / Mudu ("Where Is Culture in Rome?")
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Bibliography due
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On site
2:15pm-5:00pm
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WK 6
Feb 22
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Lecture on the history of migrations to Rome and contemporary issues of multi-ethnicism, exclusion and integration
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Fortier ("Community, Belonging, and Intimate Ethnicity" / Schuster ("The Continuing Mobility of Migrants")
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In class
1:30pm-4:15pm
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WK 7
Mar 1
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Esquilino
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Mudu ("The New Romans: Ethnic Economic Activities in Rome")
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Annotated bibliography and outline due
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On site
2:15pm-5:00pm
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WK 8
Mar 8
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MIDTERM EXAM
Lecture in preparation for upcoming classes / Ongoing discussion of expectations for research paper
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In class
1:30pm-4:15pm
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WK 9
Mar 15
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EUR
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Piccinato ("Rome: Where Great Events Not Regular Planning Bring Development")
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On site
2:15pm-5:00pm
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WK 10
Mar 22
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Historical exclusion
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Schwarz ("The Reconstruction of Jewish Life") / Debenedetti ("October 16, 1943")
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Rough draft of paper due |
On site
2:15pm-5:00pm
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WK 11
Mar 29
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Roma: Contemporary forms of exclusion
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Clough Marinaro & Daniele ("Roma and humanitarianism in the Eternal City") |
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In class
1:30pm-4:15pm
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WK 12
Apr 12
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Tor Bella Monaca
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Final draft of paper due
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In class
1:30pm-4:15pm
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WK 13
Apr 19
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Student Research Presentations
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Typed field notes due
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In class
1:30pm-4:15pm |
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WK 14
Apr26
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Student Research Presentations and course conclusions/review
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In class
1:30pm-4:15pm |
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FINAL EXAM: T.B.A.
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