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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 293"
COURSE NAME: "Modern Rome and Its Monuments"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2020
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Laura Foster
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: W 9:15-12:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Rome City Series - This on-site course focuses on the vast transformations in the architecture and urban development of Rome 1870-1945, when the status of the city changed from papal capital to capital of Italy as a nation-state. The course offers a view of the city that includes both grand public buildings – like the huge Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II at Piazza Venezia, and the Fascist-era buildings of the EUR district – and investigation of particular urban characteristics. It will consider aspects like Rome’s experiments in social housing, the development of elite residential districts, the revelation of ancient monuments along wide new avenues of the Fascist era, as well as contemporary architectural additions to the city’s monuments.
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 TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The Architecture of Modern Italy, Vol. 1Terry KirkSpringer London9781568986319 E-book available through Frohring Library.
The Architecture of Modern Italy, Vol. 2Terry KirkPrinceton Architectural Press9781568986326 E-book available through Frohring Library.
The Image of CityKevin LynchMIT Press9780262620017   
European Architecture, 1750-1890Barry BergdollOxford University Press9780192842220  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
On-site exercises in observation and understanding architectural design (4)The exercises will consist of note taking and observation on site to hone knowledge of architectural terminology and urban form. Students will be provided with a series of questions to which they will respond in writing while observing monuments and urban spaces. These notes will then be transformed into an analytical essay of approximately 2 pages. See the course schedule for due dates of the individual exercises.40%
Midterm ExaminationThrough 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 EssayThe 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. 20%
Final ExaminationThe 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.20%

-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

 

 

Date

Topic

Meeting Place

Reading Assignment

Tests, Papers, Special Instructions

Jan 22

Rome as idea: The concept of the capital in the 19th century

 

Classroom Mimose 2

•Kevin Lynch, The Image of the City, Ch. 1 and Ch. 4

Always complete readings before class meeting

Jan 29

Reading architecture and urban form: The Tiber River and Lungotevere Avenues

 

Classroom Mimose 2

•Barry Bergdoll, European Architecture, 1750-1890, Ch. 5 pp. 139-145 and Ch. 8

 

In-class notetaking on distinguishing historical differences in buildings

 

Feb 5

Roma Alta: Urban expansion on the Esquiline and Quirinal Hills

Piazza della Repubblica in front of Basilica of S. Maria degli Angeli

 

•Bergdoll, European Architecture, Ch. 7

•Kirk, The Architecture of Modern Italy, Vol. 1, pp. 185-195; 219-30

Analysis 1 due by 5:00 p.m. on Moodle

Feb 12

Remaking the urban image of the historic center

Piazza del Popolo, at the center around the obelisk

 

•Kirk, The Architecture of Modern Italy, Vol. 1, pp. 231-259

In-class notetaking on architectural styles and revivalism

Feb 19

The meaning of modernity in Rome of the Belle Époque

Piazza Buenos Aires in front of church

 •Kirk, The Architecture of Modern Italy, Vol. 2, Ch. 5 pp. 15-34 and pp. 44-57 (on Antonio Sant’Elia and Futurism)

 

Analysis 2 due by 5:00 p.m. on Moodle

Feb 26

 

Review and discussion

Classroom Mimose 2

 

 

 

Mar 4

MIDTERM EXAMINATION

Classroom Mimose 2

 

Exam will last 1 hr 30 mins, followed by library lecture

 

 

Spring Break March 9 – 13

 

Mar 18

From Garden City to Urban Exile: The development of Quartiere Garbatella

Exit of Metro B Garbatella stop

•Paul Baxa, Roads and Ruins, Ch. 2

•Etlin, Modernism in Italian Architecture, Ch. 5, pp. 129-164

 

In-class notetaking on concept of Romanità

Mar 25

Disembowelment and purification: Archeological excavation and urban displacement

Piazza di Torre Argentina, near medieval tower

 

•Baxa, Roads and Ruins, Chs. 3 and 4

Analysis 3 due by 5:00 p.m. on Moodle

Apr 1

A Forum for Mussolini: Foro Italico & Palazzo del Littorio

Piazza Maresciallo Giardino in front of obelisk with “Mussolini” inscribed on it

•Kirk, The Architecture of Modern Italy, Vol. 2, Ch. 6 pp. 109-113 and 128-132

 

•Simonetta Falasca-Zamponi, Fascist Spectacle, Ch. 3

 

 

Apr 8

Tensions between modernism and classicism: The development of Stile littorio

Viale Trastevere in front of the Ministry for Public Instruction

•Kirk, The Architecture of Modern Italy, Vol. 2, Ch. 6 pp. 95-108

 

•Baxa, Roads and Ruins, Ch. 7

 

In-class notetaking on the stile littorio

Apr 15

Fascism as permanent exhibition: E42 (the EUR district)

At the exit of Metro B Magliana stop

•Kirk, The Architecture of Modern Italy, Vol. 2, Ch. 6 pp. 133-141

 

•Etlin, Modernism in Italian Architecture, Ch. 13 pp. 481-516

 

Analysis 4 due by 5:00 p.m. on Moodle

Apr 22

Possibilities for architecture in postwar Rome: From the 1960 Olympics to the 2000 Jubilee

Parking lot of Palazzetto dello Sport, via de Coubertin

 

Class starts at 10:00 a.m.

Apr 29

Review and discussion

 

Classroom G.K. 1.1

 

Comparative essay due by 5:00 p.m. on Moodle

 

Date, time and location of the final examination TBA