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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 190-3"
COURSE NAME: "Cities, Towns & Villas: Rome, Ostia, Pompeii"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Crispin Corrado
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: T9:15 AM 12:00 PM (Please note that this class cannot be taken remotely)
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; mandatory trip; activity fee: €40 or $52
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
STUDENTS SHOULD NOT REGISTER FOR BOTH AH190 and AH290
Rome, Ostia and Pompeii are three of the best- preserved archaeological sites in the world. Through their study, we are able to comprehend the physical and social nature of Roman cities and how they transformed over the course of centuries. We explore the subjects of urban development, public and private buildings, economic and social history, and art incorporated into urban features (houses, triumphal monuments, etc.). In Rome, we focus primarily upon public buildings commissioned by Senators and Emperors: temples, law courts, theaters, triumphal monuments, baths. In Ostia, the port-city of Rome, we are able to experience many aspects of daily life: commerce, housing, religion, entertainment. Pompeii represents a well-to-do Republican and early Imperial period city that was influenced by the Greeks and Romans and preserves some of the most magnificent frescoes in the world.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is held completely on-site around the city, and is arranged chronologically and by theme. At each class meeting we will investigate monuments in a different part of the city, and will discuss specific aspects of Roman life. The course will consider the major monuments in Rome, as well as materials used for building and ornamentation. Building types include public, religious and civic buildings, as well as private architecture in the form of houses, apartment buildings, expansive villas, and palaces. A very important aspect of the course will be studying two additional Roman towns, Ostia and Pompeii, which provide vastly different evidence, in order to round out students’ ideas of the ancient city by understanding what Roman towns shared, and by seeing firsthand which aspects made each of them unique.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will consider several different types of evidence, including material culture and literary sources, which will allow and encourage them to think critically, and better understand the sites and monuments visited, as well as the role of the archaeologist in reconstructing the past. The written assignment will help improve research and communication skills.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The Ancient Roman CityJohn StambaughJohns Hopkins University Press978-0801836923     
Rome: An Oxford Archaeological GuideAmanda ClaridgeOxford University Press978-0199546831     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Preparation and ParticipationYou are expected to show up on time to class, ready to actively participate, and having completed the reading assignment for the day.10
Research PaperFor your research paper you will be asked to discuss one aspect of daily life in ancient Rome. In your work, you should include and discuss specific examples of monuments (in ancient Rome, Ostia, and/or Pompeii) associated with this aspect. You should include passages written by the ancient authors, where possible. Your papers should be 7 - 8 pages, double-spaced, exclusive of cover sheet, images section, and bibliography. Please use footnotes. In conducting your research, please use academic sources only (books and journal articles). Electronic databases, such as JSTOR, and other online academic resources, such as Perseus and www.ostia-antica.com, are acceptable and encouraged; other websites may not be consulted.30
Midterm Exam 30
Final Exam 30

-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:
One unexcused absence is permitted. Classes start on-site and thus punctuality is essential; three tardy arrivals will count as one unexcused absence.
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

NB - The date for the trip to Pompeii is to be announced

Weekly Schedule

Week 1

Lecture: Course Introduction
Meeting Place: JCU Classroom

Week 2
Lecture: Early Rome; City Boundaries; Death and Burial Site Visits: Circus Maximus, the Palatine Hill, the Aventine Hill, the Servian Walls, the Pyramid, and the Aurelianic Walls
Readings: Stambaugh, Introduction and Chapters One and Fifteen, and Claridge, Introduction and Historical Overview; Chronological Table (pp. 494 – 496)

Meeting Place: On the Pons Fabricius (the bridge connecting Tiber Island to the historic city center)


Week 3
Lecture: The Roman Republic through Julius Caesar; Rome’s Population & Water; Society and Freedom
Meeting Place: The Tower in Largo Argentina
Site Visits: Theater of Pompey
Readings: Stambaugh, Chapters Three and Six

Week 4
Lecture: Roman Religion
Meeting Place: The Tower in Largo Argentina
Site Visits: Victory Temples in Largo Argentina, Republican Lower Campus Martius, Tomb of Bibulus, the Capitoline Hill: Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Asylum, and Tabularium
Readings: Stambaugh, Chapters Two, Thirteen and Fourteen, and Claridge, Section “Capitoline Hill” (pp. 259 – 273), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits


Week 5
Lecture: Architecture Walk; Roman Building Methods and Materials; The Triumphal Parade and Route
Meeting Place: Outside the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin/La Bocca della Verita’
Site Visits: Forum Boarium, Theater of Marcellus, Porticus of Octavia, Excavations at Sant’Omobono, Circus Flaminius location, Fabricius’ Bridge, Tiber Island, and the Cloaca Maxima
Readings: Stambaugh, Chapter Seventeen, and Claridge, Glossary (pp. 39 – 62), and Section “Circus Flaminius to Circus Maximus“ (pp. 274 – 300), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits

Week 6
Lecture: Augustan Rome I; City Centers & City Planning; Roman Arts & Propaganda
Meeting Place: Roman Forum, entrance opposite the via Cavour
Site Visits: Forum Romanum, Forum of Julius Caesar, Forum of Augustus
Readings: Stambaugh, Chapters Four and Seven, and Claridge, Section “The Roman Forum” (pp. 62 – 103), and and individual entries as appropriate for site visits

Week 7
MIDTERM EXAM

 

Week 8
PAPER TOPICS DUE

Lecture: Rome of the Julio-Claudians and Flavians; Public Venues and Roman Housing
Meeting Place: Outside the Metro B “Colosseo” stop
Site Visits: Colosseum, Ludus Magnus, Forum of Peace, Forum Transitorium, Arch of Titus, Palatine Hill (Domus Aurea, Domus Tiberiana, Palace of Domitian, House of Augustus, Hut of Romulus, Republic Mansions)
Readings: Stambaugh, Chapters Five and Ten, and Claridge, Sections “The Upper Via Sacra” and “The Palatine Hill” (pp. 104 – 159), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits

Week 9
Lecture: Rome of Trajan and Hadrian; Public Venues II
Meeting Place: In front of the Pantheon
Site Visits: Pantheon, Temple to the Deified Hadrian, Column of Marcus Aurelius, Stadium of Domitian, Forum and Markets of Trajan, Temple of Venus and Roma
Readings: Stambaugh, Chapters Eleven and Twelve, and Claridge, Section “Imperial Forums” (pp. 160 – 196), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits

 

Week 10

Lecture: Ostia Antica I, Homes, Religion and Entertainment
Meeting Place: Ticket booth at Ostia Antica
Site Visits: Ostia Antica
Readings: Stambaugh, Chapter Eighteen, and www.ostia-antica.org for individual monuments

Week 11

NO CLASS

Week 12
RESEARCH PAPER DUE TODAY
Lecture: Ostia Antica II
Meeting Place: Ticket booth at Ostia Antica
Site Visits: Ostia Antica
Readings: Stambaugh, Chapter Nine, and www.ostia-antica.org for individual monument

 

Week 13
Lecture: Decline and Transformation: Rome from the Antonines through Constantine; End of Empire; Review for Final Exam
Meeting Place: Roman Forum, entrance opposite the via Cavour
Site Visits: Arch of Constantine, Arch of Septimius Severus, Basilica of Maxentius, Baths of Caracalla, Forma Urbis Romae
Readings: Claridge, Section “Caelian Hill and the Inner Via Appia” (pp. 341 – 371), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits

Week 14
NO CLASS


Final Exam: T.B.A.