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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CL/HS 231"
COURSE NAME: "History of Ancient Rome and Italy"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session II 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Dustin Gish
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 2:00PM 3:45PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course surveys the history of ancient Rome and Italy, focusing on the origins and metamorphoses of Rome from its archaic foundations as an Italic-Latinate kingship to an imperial city. The course examines the establishment, expansion, and conflicts of the Republican period; the political and cultural revolution of the Augustan ‘Principate’; the innovations of the High Empire; and the transition into Late Antiquity. Course materials include the writings of ancient authors in translation (these may include Polybius, Sallust, Cicero, Livy, Augustus, Suetonius, and/or Tacitus) as well as modern historians and archaeologists, along with considerations of Roman art, architecture, and archaeology.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY 

CL / HS  231

History of Ancient Rome and Italy

(Summer Session II – 2017)

M-T-W-Th   2–3:45pm 

 SYLLABUS 

COURSE PROFESSOR          

Dr. Dustin Gish 
[email protected], [email protected]  (Office Hours By Appointment)

 


COURSE DESCRIPTION

Survey of the history of ancient Rome and Italy, focusing on the metamorphoses of Rome from its archaic foundations as a kingship, through its founding and expansion as a republic, to its growth and decline as the administrative capital of a vast empire. The course studies the establishment, expansion, and conflicts of the Republican period; the political revolution of the Augustan age; the achievements of Roman imperial rule; and the fall of Rome in late antiquity. Course materials include the writings of ancient authors in translation (such as Polybius, Cicero, Livy, Augustus, Aurelius, St. Augustine), and a consideration of Roman archaeology and architecture. This course may meet occasionally on-site in Rome. At the end of this class, students should be familiar with the main events, people, and broad chronology constituting the history of ancient Rome and Italy. Students will work with primary sources (in translation), artistic and archaeological evidence, and historical documents. Assessment will be made through brief essays and exams.

 

Attendance is mandatory. Consult the Dean’s Office regarding Academic Honesty policies. 


COURSE TEXTS

Cicero, Selected Political Speeches, trans. M. Grant (Penguin)                   978-0140442144

Livy, The History of Rome (Bks 1-5), edited by Warrior (Hackett)           978-0872207233

Plutarch, Fall of the Roman Republic, revised edition (Penguin)              978-0140449341

History of Ancient Rome, edited by Glay, Voisin, et al. (Blackwell)            978-1405183277

—  Additional readings will be made available on-line or as handouts in class.

 

 


COURSE ASSESSMENT

Assignment

     Guidelines

Grade

Essays

     Two 500-word Reflection Essays

30%

Final Exam

     Identification Questions, Short Essays

20%

Attendance

     Students are expected to attend each session.

20%

Participation

     Students are expected to read and participate in all class discussions.

30%

 
COURSE SCHEDULE    

Week 1          FOUNDINGS   

Assigned Readings:       History of Rome  (Introduction, Chapters 1-2)

                                          LIVY  (Book 1)

            Mon.    7/3     Outline of Roman History from Kingship to Republic

            Tues.   7/4     Double Founding:  Romulus and Numa    

            Wed.   7/5     Re-Founding the Kingship:  Tarquin and Servius

            Thur.   7/6     Revolution:  The Tyranny of Tarquin ‘Superbus’

 

Week 2          REVOLUTIONS

Assigned Readings:       History of Rome  (Chapters 3-4)

                                          LIVY  (Book 2)  and  POLYBIUS  (handout)

            Mon.    7/10   Brutus and the Founding of the Republic

            Tues.   7/11   ‘Publicola’ and the Struggle of the Orders

            Wed.   7/12   Roman War Machine:  The Punic Wars     

            Thur.   7/13   Roman Offices and Institutions                              

                                                                                                                       

Week 3          CONQUESTS,  CIVIL WARS,  CONSPIRACIES      

Assigned Readings:       History of Rome  (Chapters 5-6) 

                                          PLUTARCH  (Lives of Marius and Sulla)

                                          CICERO  (On the Command of Pompeius, Against Catilina I)

            Mon.    7/17   Innovations of Empire:  Marius versus Sulla

            Tues.   7/18   The Burdens and Temptations of Empire:  Pompeius ‘Magnus’

            Wed.   7/19   Crisis of the Republic, I:  Cicero versus Catilina

            Thur.   7/20   Crisis of the Republic, II:  Pompey versus Caesar

                                    ESSAY 1 due

                       

Week 4          COLLAPSE OF THE REPUBLIC

Assigned Readings:       History of Rome  (Chapters 7-9)

                                          CICERO  (In Support of Marcellus)  and  VIRGIL  (handout)

            Mon.    7/24   Crisis of the Republic, III:  ‘Caesar’

            Tues.   7/25   Crisis of the Republic, IV:  Antony versus Octavian

            Wed.   7/26   The Age of Augustus:  Visual Rhetoric       

            Thur.   7/27   Imperial Consolidation and Expansion                 

 

Week 5          ROME AS EMPIRE   

Assigned Readings:       History of Rome (Chapters 10-11)

            Mon.    7/31   Imperial Mis-Rule: The Julio-Claudians

            Tues.   8/1     Imperial Re-Founding: The Adoptive Emperors

            Wed.   8/2     EXAM

            Thur.   8/4     ESSAY 2 due
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course surveys the history of ancient Rome and Italy, focusing on the origins and metamorphoses of Rome from its archaic foundations as an Italic-Latinate kingship to an imperial city. The course examines the establishment, expansion, and conflicts of the Republican period; the political and cultural revolution of the Augustan ‘Principate’; the innovations of the High Empire; and the transition into Late Antiquity. Course materials include the writings of ancient authors in translation (these may include Polybius, Sallust, Cicero, Livy, Augustus, Suetonius, and/or Tacitus) as well as modern historians and archaeologists, along with considerations of Roman art, architecture, and archaeology.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
See SYLLABUS  

-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 cour
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:
This course surveys the history of ancient Rome and Italy, focusing on the origins and metamorphoses of Rome from its archaic foundations as an Italic-Latinate kingship to an imperial city. The course examines the establishment, expansion, and conflicts of the Republican period; the political and cultural revolution of the Augustan ‘Principate’; the innovations of the High Empire; and the transition into Late Antiquity. Course materials include the writings of ancient authors in translation (these may include Polybius, Sallust, Cicero, Livy, Augustus, Suetonius, and/or Tacitus) as well as modern historians and archaeologists, along with considerations of Roman art, architecture, and archaeology.
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