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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 290-7"
COURSE NAME: "Ancient Rome and Its Monuments"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2019
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Sophy Downes
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: T 9:15-12:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; activity fee: €40 or $52
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
STUDENTS SHOULD NOT REGISTER FOR BOTH AH190 and AH290
Rome City Series - This on-site course considers the art and architecture of ancient Rome through visits to museums and archaeological sites. The course covers the visual culture and architecture of Rome beginning with the Iron Age and ending with the time of Constantine. A broad variety of issues are raised, including patronage, style and iconography, artistic and architectural techniques, Roman religion, business and entertainment.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT: 

The course engages students in diverse analyses of the city of ancient Rome by drawing on approaches that are artistic, historical and topographic in nature. Hence, it provides an in-depth appreciation of the multifaceted nature of Roman material culture and the context for the world in which it was created. 

Taking advantage of the on-site format emphasis is placed on the visual impact of monuments and artworks for a deeper understanding of their social meaning. The course examines the development of Rome and the importance of public monuments for the visualization of the city, and it analyses these as dynamic spaces of social interaction. 

It considers the urban and political articulation of Rome: the city as memory theatre; the interplay between emperor and citizens; the impact of empire. The course asks questions about public imaging, political engagement, and the perceived merits of peace and warfare for a nuanced examination of what it meant to be Roman.

The city’s topography, monuments and artworks are used as the primary sources for an examination of the historical and political development of the city, and of the social and cultural meaning of its visual culture. The course discusses the impact of the origins (c. 753 BC) and early history of Rome, but historically focuses on the period from c. 100 BC-AD 300, the late Republic and Empire.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
LEARNING OUTCOMES: 

Proficiencies
Ability to analyze – and contextualize – characteristics of ancient Roman culture
Ability to understand key aspects of Roman art and to analyze motives of their creation and reception. Ability to identify trends and developmental aspects, as well as cross-cultural inspirations

Ability to analyze art, architecture and material culture as primary sources
Ability to interpret diverse artistic media and their impact, and ability to use relevant historical, art historical and architectural terminology to effect. Understanding of the context of public and private art and architecture – and the ability for comparative analyses of these

Ability to contextualize the construction of cultural identities and artistic developments
Ability to analyze material culture as dynamic interactions of inspiration, response and emulation – not simply imperialism or military control. Appreciation of diversity of directions of artistic inspiration. Ability to see the selectivity in adoption or rejection of forms 

Skills
Communicative skills – writing and oral competence
Term paper: Organization of material, focus on topic, and nuance in discussion
Exams: Contextual and nuanced discussion, focused presentation of data
Class presentations: Public speaking (presentation and development of argument) and didactic methods (engaging audience, posing questions)
Participation: Analytical responses; participating in debates; posing questions

Cognitive skills – critical thinking and interpretation
Class presentation: Evaluation and analysis of evidence; reflection on significance
Participation: Reasoned consideration of evidence and methods; willingness to adapt/revise ways of thinking; openness to alternative perspectives
Term paper and exams: Subtlety, nuance and engagement in approach to the topic
Lectures and class presentations: Visual analysis; historical contextualization; interpretative thesis

Collaborative and shared inquiry skills
Lectures and participation: Investigative response-skills; collaborative contributions; open debate
Class presentations: Test, explore and communicate complex ideas

Investigative skills and evaluation of data
Term paper and class presentations: Using and evaluating diverse secondary texts; interpreting the arguments presented
Lectures and participation: Evaluation of context and impact of objects and space 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Rome: An Oxford Archaeological GuideAmanda ClaridgeOxford University Press9780199546831 2010 version or later   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class PresentationResearch presentation to class (10 minutes)10%
Term paperResearch paper (8-10 pages)25%
Mid-term examImage identifications and analytical essays25%
Final examImage identifications and analytical essays30%
Academic participationContribution to class discussions and reviews, sharing of ideas, collaborative behaviour10%

-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:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
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. The final exam period runs until ____________

You are expected to participate in all scheduled classes. Absences will be noted and may affect your final grade. Please refer to the university catalogue for the attendance and absence policy. 

All classes will start punctually; late arrival will be noted and may affect your final grade. 
Class will take place no matter the weather. Please dress accordingly and appropriately for visiting public sites and museums in the city.

You are responsible for identifying the location of - and route to - the meeting points of the classes. You should calculate around 40-50 minutes travel time to our meeting points. Note that most classes will end at on-site locations different from the meeting point. For bus/subway route planner see www.atac.it. 

Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. 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.

Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam: a major exam (midterm or final) cannot be made up without the permission of the Dean’s Office. Permission will be granted only when the absence is caused by a serious impediment or grave situation, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or funeral service for immediate family. Absences due to conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. 

No recording (of any type) of the class is permitted.

Study guides to help you organise your notes and gain an overview of the material - and hence to assist you revise - will be posted weekly on Moodle.

Changes, additional course information, etc. will be posted on Moodle. Please check this regularly and, certainly, in advance of each class.
Make-up work is not offered, except in exceptional circumstances and after consultation with the Dean of Academic Affairs.

For specific inquiries or to set up an appointment please contact me via email on [email protected]
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

 

1. Tues. Sept. 3            Introduction to the Course, and to Rome.

 

Themes/Works:             

 

Course requirements and logistics. Mythological and Topographical Origins of Rome. Greek and Etruscan influences. Tiber Island, the Cloaca Massima, Forum Boarium, the great altar of Heracles Invictus, S. Omobono area, Capitoline hill.

 

 

Meet:                                     JCU classroom.

 

 

Assigned reading:             None.

 

 

2. Tues. Sept. 10.             From Romulus to Caesar, the Roman Forum

 

Themes/Works:             

 

City foundation; survival of Regal period monuments; Republican period temples, and imperial period palaces. Forum: Regia, Lapis Niger, Curia/Comitia, Basilica Aemilia, the Temple of Saturn, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, Temple Concordia, Temple of Vesta, 

 

Meet:                                     Campidoglio (next to the statue of Marcus Aurelius)

 

Assigned reading:             

 

Claridge: history: 4-9; materials and orders: 39-41, Roman forum: 63-67, 75-77, 83-84, 105-11; Tuck: Chapter 3: ‘The Early Republic’: Introduction, Brief Historical Survey: 49-50.

            

   

3. Tues. Sept. 17             The Republic – Triumphs and Temples

 

Themes/Works:             

 

The Roman military triumph; victory temples. Theatre of Pompeii, Largo Argentina temples, Circus Flaminius, Porticus of             Octavia, Forum Holitarium, Forum Boarium temples, Circus Maximus.

 

Meet:                                     Piazza Farnese.

 

Assigned reading:             

 

Claridge: history: 9-10; Theatre of Pompey: 239-41; Largo Argentina temples: 241-6; Circus Flaminius 250-1; Porticus of Octavia 253-6; Forum Holitarium 279-82; Forum Boarium temples 285-88; Circus Maximus 299-300. Tuck: The Role of Elites 4-5, Italic versus Classical Styles and Forms I: Temples 5-6; Chapter 3: ‘The Early Republic’: Roman tomb painting of the early Republic: 63-65, including art and literature box text; Chapter 4: ‘The Later Republic’: Introduction 78, Architecture and Urban Planning 78-83, including Art and Literature text box 79. 

 

 

4. Tues. Sept. 24            Late Republic to Imperial Rome: Portraits and Painting

 

Themes/Works:             

 

Portraits and identity, portraits and politics. Veristic and Augustan portraiture: statue of general from Tivoli, statue of Augustus from Via Labicana. Augustan painted interiors: Livia’s dining room from Prima Porta, Villa Farnesina paintings. Hellenistic sculpture: the Boxer. The Portonaccio Sarcophagus.

 

Meet:                                     Entrance to Palazzo Massimo, Piazza dei Cinquecento.

 

Assigned reading:             Claridge: history: 15-18. Tuck:Cultural Property Controversies, 2-                                    3, Dating Dilemmas, 3, Restoration Issues, 4, Italic versus                                                 Classical Styles and Forms II: portraiture, 7-9, Narrative Moment,                                     16-17, Roman Wall Painting in the Late Republic, 94-100,                                                 including Scholarly Perspective text box, 99, Late Republican                                                 Sculpture, 108-11, Third Style Wall painting, 132-3. Portraits of                                     Augustus 115-117, including text boxes. Chapter 6: ‘The Julio-                                    Claudians’: Portraiture, 147. 

 

 

5. Tues. Oct. 1             Pax Augusta

 

Themes/Works:             

 

The creation of a new Augustan order and iconography; the princepsas role model. The Ara Pacis, the Mausoleum of Augustus, the Horologium. Early Pantheon and baths of Agrippa.

 

Meet:                                     Entrance to the Ara Pacis Museum.

 

 

6. Tues. Oct. 8            Palaces, Nero and the Flavians

 

Themes/Works:             

 

Articulating imperial status in Rome; Hellenism and Italic traditions;  Palatine: the hut of Romulus, the house of ‘Augustus,’ the Temple of Apollo, the Domus Transitoria, the Palace of Domitian. The Domus Aurea, the Temple of Peace, the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Arch of Titus, the Forum Transistorium [Forum of Nerva].

 

Meet:                                     Metro Colosseo.

 

Assigned reading:             

 

Claridge: Palatine hill, 125-8, hut of Romulus (‘victory precinct’ section): 131-2, Temple of Apollo, 142-144, Domitian’s Palace: 145-55; Arch of Titus, 121-2, Temple of Peace and Forum of Nerva, 169-76, Domus Aurea, 301-6, Colosseum, 312-9, Ludus Magnus, 319. Tuck: Chapter 4: ‘The Later Republic’:Historical Context text box on amphitheatres, 90; Chapter 5: ‘The Age of Augustus’: The Palatine Hill 128-132; Chapter 6: ‘The Julio-Claudians’: Intro 146, Nero, 163-4, Palace Architecture, 167-168, Domus Aurea: Nero’s Golden House, 168-71, Conclusion, 177; Chapter 7: ‘The Flavians’, 179-181, Architecture 182-186, Domitian, 197, Historical reliefs: Arch of Titus 201-3, Architecture 205-209, Conclusion, 209.

 

 

7. Tues. Oct. 15            *Mid-term Exam*

NOTE EARLY START TIME

 

Themes/Works:            

 

Aspects related to completion of the Term Paper: Source evaluation, reference use, bibliographic formatting.

 

Meet:                                     JCU classroom - 8.30 am

 

 

8. Tues. Oct. 22              The High Empire: Imperial Fora and the Campus Martius

 

Themes/Works:             

 

The emperor and the gods; depictions of war and non-Romans; commerce and cosmopolitanism; architectural innovation and continuity. Trajan’s column, Trajan’s markets, the imperial fora, the Temple of Venus and Rome, the column of Marcus Aurelius, the Pantheon, the Stadium and Odeon of Domitian.

 

Meet:                                     Trajan’s column.

 

Assigned reading:             

 

Claridge:history 18-21, Forum and Markets of Trajan, 180-96, Campus Martius, 197-204, Columns of A. Pius & M. Aurelius, 216-21,  Pantheon, 226-34, Stadium and Odeon of Domitian, 234-8. Tuck: Tools and Techniques textbox on concrete 85, also Concrete Architecture 141-2; Chapter 8: ‘Trajan and Hadrian’, 212-14, Architecture 215-24, Sculpture, 225-230, including View from the Provinces textbox, 229-30, Scholarly Perspective textbox, 234, Conclusion, 244; Chapter 9: ‘Antonine Emperors’ Intro, 246-7, Architectural sculpture 253-5, Reliefs from the Victory Monuments of Marcus Aurelius, 257, Conclusion, 271-2.

 

 

9. Tues. Oct. 29.             Emperors and Religion.

 

Themes/works:             The Capitoline Museums. Imperial portraiture through the years.                                     Marcus Aurelius’ equestrian statue and panel reliefs, statue of                                                 Constantine. Head of Brutus, role models and virtus. Verism and                                     Naturalism. The Capitoline Wolf – dating issues.

 

Meet:                                     Statue of Marcus Aurelius on the Campidoglio.

 

Assigned reading:             Claridge: Statue of Marcus Aurelius, 266. Tuck:Female                                                 Portraiture and embedded values, 9-10; Chapter 3: ‘The Early                                                Republic’: Capitoline Brutus, 69 (last paragraph)-70; Chapter 7:                                    ‘The Flavians’: Portraiture, 181, 197-200, including scholarly                                                 perspective textbox; Chapter 8: ‘Trajan and Hadrian’: Portraiture,                                     214-5, Portraiture of Empresses, 215; Chapter 9: ‘Antonine                                                 Emperors’ Portraiture: 247-53, Reliefs from the Victory                                                 Monuments of Marcus Aurelius, 256; Chapter 10: ‘Civil War and                                     Severan Dynasty’: Portraiture, 275-9; Chapter 12: ‘Constantine’:                                     Portraiture: 336-7.

 

 

10. Tues. Nov. 5.             The Forum from the Severans to Late Antiquity

 

Themes/works:             Appropriations and additions in the forum, mapping the city.                                                 (TheTemple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina); the Arch of                                                 Septimus Severus, the Arch of the Argentarii; rebuilding under                                     Diocletian, the Decennalia Monument, the new Rostra, honorary                                     columns along the Basilica Julia, the Basilica of Maxentius and                                     Constantine, the column of Phocas. The Forma Urbis.

 

Meet:                                     Entrance to the Roman Forum, Via dei Fori Imperiali.

 

Assigned reading:             Claridge:History 21-4, Arch of Septimus Severus, 78-9, Rostra,                                     85-87,the column of Phocas, 87-8, honorary columns, 91-2,                                                 Temple of Antoninus Pius and Diva Faustina, 111-3, Basilica                                                 Maxentius and Constantine, 115-7, Arch of the Argentarii, 292-3                                    Tuck: Chapter 10: ‘Civil War and the Severan Dynasty’: Intro,                                     274, Trends and developments in Severan art, 274-5, Historical                                     Reliefs, 284-7, including Historical Context textbox, 285, Forma                                     Urbis Romae, 292-5, Conclusion 299-30; Chapter 11: ‘The Third                                    century and the Tetrarchy’: The Decennalia Monument, 312-13.

 

            

11. Tues. Nov. 12.             Myth and Sarcophagi

 

Themes/Works:             Changes in burial practice, sarcophagi, use of myth in private art.

 

Meet:                                     Entrance to Palazzo d’Altemps.

 

Assigned reading:             TuckChapter 9: ‘Antonine Emperors’: Sarcophagai 263-8,                                                 including Scholarly Perspective textbox, 266; Chapter 10: ‘Civil                                     War and the Severan Dynasty’: Sarcophagai, 289-92, including                                     More on Myth textbox, 291; Chapter 11: ‘The Third century and                                     the Tetrarchy’: Diocletian, 307-8, the Tetrarchy 308-9;                                                 Sarcophagai, 315-8; Imperial Architecture, 320-2.

 

12. Tues. Nov. 19             Infrastructure and Art at the Edges of the City 

 

 

Themes/works:             The Aurelian walls, aqueducts, demotic art. Porta Maggiore, the                                     baker’s tomb. Basilica churches: S. Giovanni in Laterano.

 

Meet:                                     Steps of San Giovanni in Laterano.

 

Assigned reading:             Claridge: Aqueducts, 60-1, Aurelianic Walls, 61, Porta Maggiore                                    and the Tomb of the baker Eurysaces, 383-7, S. Giovanni in                                                 Laterano, 376-7. Tuck: Chapter 5: ‘The Age of Augustus’:                                                 Traditional Italic style in the age of Augustus, 137-9; Chapter 11:                                     ‘The Third century and the Tetrarchy’: Intro, 302-6.

 

 

13. Tues. Nov. 26.             Tetrarchs to Constantine: Re-using Rome

 

Themes/Works:             Art quoting art, art quoting history, re-use of sculpture and                                                 themes,spolia, orientating new monuments to the old city, the rise                                     of Christianity. The Arch of Constantine, San Clemente.

 

Meet:                                     Campidoglio.

 

 

14. Thurs. Dec. 6             Review Class                                      

 

Review: Course reader page 9 – identify monuments discussed in class. Pose 3-5 questions, based on your revision study, for which you would like clarification and further detail.             

 

            .

15. tba                                    Final Exam