JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 290-9"
COURSE NAME: "Ancient Rome and Its Monuments"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2023

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Alberto Prieto
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: W 9:15 AM 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:

This course will familiarize the students with the purposes, meanings, materials, and messages of Roman art and architecture over the course of 1100 years, from the founding of a village on the Palatine hill in the 8^th century BC to the reign of the emperor Constantine the Great in the early 4^th century AD, when the city reached the peak of its architectural and artistic development. We will follow a physical and intellectual route that emphasizes the chronology and specific themes of the city’s transition from leading city of Italy to capital of a Mediterranean-wide empire while making the most of the city’s historically scrambled topography. The ancient architecture preserved in the contemporary urban fabric and the ancient art preserved in museums will be analyzed both synchronically (within a given period of Roman history) and diachronically (across periods), with changes linked to significant historical events and subtle cultural trends. We will consider everything from humble everyday objects like toy dolls to the more familiar portrait busts, statuary, wall and floor decorations, furniture, and structures of all shapes and sizes, both public and private, analyzing them as reflections and conveyors of the identity, interests, and social, economic, religious, political, and military preoccupations of the human beings who commissioned or “consumed” them. Finally, as Roman history was marked by regular contact with other cultures, we will learn to distinguish between the elements of art and architecture in Rome that were specifically Roman in origin and those that were borrowed or taken from others.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

As a result of this course, the student will understand how the art and architecture of Rome, both public and private, originated, developed, and changed between ca. 750 BC and AD 337. The student will be able to explain the origins, developments, and changes in terms of historical events, available resources, and internal and external cultural factors representing real and specific human needs and desires. The student will also be able to describe the visual language of Roman art and architecture in Rome, using both broad principles and specific examples illustrated by visits to significant preserved structures and museum collections, as well as the original context and meaning of artworks currently housed in museums.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Rome. An Oxford Archaeological Guide	A. Claridge	Oxford University Press	9780199546831			Ebook
A History of Roman Art	S. L. Tuck	Wiley-Blackwell	9781118885413			Ebook

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
Rome Alive: A Source-guide to the Ancient City	P. J. Aicher	Bolchazy-Carducci	0865164738
Rome and Environs. An Archaeological Guide	F. Coarelli	University of California Press	9780520957800

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
attendance and participation	As the material covered in the course is cumulative in nature, students are expected to attend every class session. However, there may be days over the course of the semester in which students are sick or otherwise indisposed. Students are allowed to miss one of the fourteen scheduled class sessions without question or penalty, although students who miss a class are required to understand the material covered in their absence. The University does not require medical certificates for routine illnesses causing minor absences from regular class meetings. Every subsequent absence from class not substantiated by a valid excuse will result in a loss of 3 points from the 15-point participation component of the course, equivalent to 3% of the final course grade. Personal travel is never considered a valid excuse for missing class. Students with serious illnesses, chronic conditions, or personal emergencies that result in excessive absences should see the instructor and the Associate Dean.	10
Assignment 1	Assignment 1 is a brief research project relating the most important information about, and the overall significance and interpretation of, a site or monument in the Roman Forum within the context of Roman history, art, public and private architecture, and economic, social, and urban history. For Assignment 1 the student will 1. compose a brief written summary (minimum 4 double-spaced typed pages of text) of the research to be submitted to the instructor via Moodle or e-mail, and 2. make a brief presentation (about 5 minutes) of the research on-site. The individual topics for Assignment 1 will be assigned in the first week of class. The instructor will provide guidance on research sources and expected contents. The paper and presentation for Assignment 1 will be evaluated on 1. the quality and depth of the research and 2. the clarity of expression, both written and oral. Late submission of an assignment will incur a penalty of 3% of the overall grade for every business day beyond the due date.	10
mid-term exam	The mid-term examination will consist of 1. a series of terms (persons, places, concepts, dates) and images to be identified briefly (in 2-4 sentences) in relation to their significance for Roman public and private architecture and art; 2. a timeline of events and developments to be arranged in chronological order; and 3. a map to be labeled (for example, with the names of structures in Rome).	25
final exam	The final examination will consist of 1. a series of terms (persons, places, concepts, dates) and images to be identified briefly (in 2-4 sentences) in relation to their significance for Roman public and private architecture and art; 2. a timeline of events and developments to be arranged in chronological order; 3. a map to be labeled (for example, with the names of structures in Rome); and 4. one (5+ pages) essay addressing a theme in Roman public and private architecture and art.	35
Assignment 2	Assignment 2 is a term paper involving visual observation, analysis, and research on a monument/site or theme/topic selected by the student with the approval of the instructor. The paper is due at the end of the 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:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
As the material covered in the course is cumulative in nature, students are expected to attend every class session. However, there may be days over the course of the semester in which students are sick or otherwise indisposed. Students are allowed to miss one of the fourteen scheduled class sessions without question or penalty, although students who miss a class are required to understand the material covered in their absence. The University does not require medical certificates for routine illnesses causing minor absences from regular class meetings. Every subsequent absence from class not substantiated by a valid excuse will result in a loss of 3 points from the 10-point participation component of the course, equivalent to 3% of the final course grade. Personal travel is never considered a valid excuse for missing class. Students with serious illnesses, chronic conditions, or personal emergencies that result in excessive absences should see the instructor and the Associate Dean.
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 is on June 23.

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

Weekly Schedule

All readings beyond the textbooks are available as links to electronic resources from the JCU Frohring Library.

Week 1 9/6 Course introduction; geography and geology of Italy and Rome; resources and materials; early cultural contacts and influences

Meeting point: classroom G.G. 1 8:30-9:45 (note the unusual time)

Visits: Tiber Island; Aventine, Capitoline, and Palatine hills (10:00-11:15)

Readings: Claridge 4-60; Tuck Ch. 2

Week 2 9/13 Republic and triumph

Meeting point: Largo Argentina (next to the tower)

Visits: Largo Argentina, Forum Holitorium, Sant’Omobono

Readings: Claridge 241-246, 250-251, 279-285; Tuck Ch. 3

R. B. Ulrich and C. K. Quenemoen, eds., A Companion to Roman Architecture. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell 2013.

Ch. 9 L. C. Lancaster and R. B. Ulrich, “Materials and Techniques,” 157-186 (sections 1-16 only) ONLINE

N. Rosenstein and R. Morstein-Marx, eds., A Companion to the Roman Republic. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell 2011.

Ch. 24 K. Welch, “Art and Architecture in the Roman Republic,” 1034-1073 ONLINE

Week 3 9/20 Late Republic

Meeting point: Largo Argentina (next to the tower)

Visits: Theaters (of Pompey, Marcellus, and Balbus), Largo Argentina, Porticus of Metellus/Octavia, Temple of Apollo, Tiber Island & bridges, Forum Boarium

Readings: Claridge 197-204, 239-241, 246-250, 253-258, 275-279, 285-290; Tuck Ch. 4

R. B. Ulrich and C. K. Quenemoen, eds., A Companion to Roman Architecture. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell 2013.

Ch. 2 P. J. E. Davies, “Rome and Her Neighbors: Greek Building Practices in Republican Rome,” 27-44 ONLINE

N. Rosenstein and R. Morstein-Marx, eds., A Companion to the Roman Republic. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell 2011.

Ch. 24 K. Welch, “Art and Architecture in the Roman Republic,” 1073-1111 ONLINE

Week 4 9/27 Augustan Campus Martius

Meeting point: Largo Argentina (next to the tower)

Visits: Baths of Agrippa, Pantheon, Aqua Virgo, meridian, Mausoleum of Augustus, Ara Pacis

Readings: Claridge 204-216, 222-223; Tuck Ch. 5

J. Coulston and H. Dodge, eds., Ancient Rome: The Archaeology of the Eternal City. Oxford: Oxford University School of Archaeology, 2000.

Ch. 4 S. Walker, “The Moral Museum: Augustus and the City of Rome,” 61-75 ONLINE

K. Galinsky, ed., The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Augustus. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 2005.

Ch. 10 D. Favro, “Making Rome a World City,” 234-263 ONLINE

Week 5 10/4 From Republic to Empire – Assignment 1 due

Meeting point: Piazza del Campidoglio (next to bronze statue at center)

Visits: Roman Forum

Readings: Claridge 63-123

R. B. Ulrich and C. K. Quenemoen, eds., A Companion to Roman Architecture. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell 2013.

Ch. 3 I. Nielsen, “Creating Imperial Architecture,” 45-62 ONLINE

Week 6 10/11 Rome 2.0

Meeting point: Piazza del Campidoglio (next to bronze statue at center)

Visits: Imperial Forums & Museum

Readings: Claridge 161-196; Tuck Chs. 6-7

Week 7

W 10/18 Capital of Empire; review for mid-term exam

Meeting point: entrance to Palatine hill (Via di San Gregorio 30)

Visits: Palatine hill, Domus Aurea, and Colosseum (exterior)

Readings: Claridge 125-159, 301-308, 341-344, 349-350

R. B. Ulrich and C. K. Quenemoen, eds., A Companion to Roman Architecture. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell 2013.

Ch. 4 C. K. Quenemoen, “Columns and Concrete: Architecture from Nero to Hadrian,” 63-81 ONLINE

E Buckley and M. Dinter, eds., A Companion to the Neronian Age. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell 2013.

Ch. 19 H.-J. Beste and H. von Hesberg, “Buildings of an Emperor – How Nero Transformed Rome,” 314-331 ONLINE

A. Zissos, ed., A Companion to the Flavian Age of Imperial Rome. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell 2015.

Ch. 8 A. B. Gallia, “Remaking Rome,” 148-165 ONLINE

F 10/20 Imperial Campus Martius

Meeting point: Largo Argentina (next to the tower)

Visits: Pantheon, Stadium of Domitian, Column of Marcus Aurelius, Temple of Divine Hadrian, Mausoleum of Hadrian/Castel Sant’Angelo

Readings: Claridge 216-221, 223-239, 410-415; Tuck Chs. 8-9

Week 8 10/25

Mid-term exam classroom G.G. 1; Assignment 2 colloquia

Week 9 11/1 NO CLASS All Saints’ Day holiday

Week 10 11/8 Entertainment and leisure

Meeting point: corner of Viale Aventino and Piazza di Porta Capena (in front of FAO building)

Visits: Baths of Caracalla, Circus Maximus, Colosseum (exterior)

Readings: Claridge 299-300, 312-319, 324-328, 357-365; Tuck Ch. 10

J. Coulston and H. Dodge, eds., Ancient Rome: The Archaeology of the Eternal City. Oxford: Oxford University School of Archaeology, 2000.

Ch. 9 K. Coleman, “Entertaining Rome,” 210-258 ONLINE

R. B. Ulrich and C. K. Quenemoen, eds., A Companion to Roman Architecture. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell 2013.

Ch. 5 E. V. Thomas, “The Severan Period,” 82-105 ONLINE

P. Christesen and D. G. Kyle, eds., A Companion to Sport and Spectacle in Greek and Roman Antiquity. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell 2013.

Ch. 28 S. L. Tuck, “Representations of Spectacle and Sport in Roman Art,” 422-437 ONLINE

Week 11 11/15 Infrastructure and cemeteries

Meeting point: entrance to Palatine hill (Via di San Gregorio 30)

Visits: Neronian aqueduct, Servian wall, pyramid of Cestius, Aurelianic wall, Testaccio

Readings: Claridge 383-387, 397-405

J. Coulston and H. Dodge, eds., Ancient Rome: The Archaeology of the Eternal City. Oxford: Oxford University School of Archaeology, 2000.

Ch. 8 H. Dodge, “’Greater Than the Pyramids’: The Water Supply of Ancient Rome,” 166-209 ONLINE

Ch. 10 J. R. Patterson, “Living and Dying in the City of Rome: Houses and Tombs,” 259-289 ONLINE

E. A. Friedland, M. Grunow Sobocinski, and E. K. Gazda, eds., The Oxford Handbook of Roman Sculpture. Oxford: Oxford University Press 2015.

B. C. Ewald, “Funerary Monuments” ONLINE

Week 12 11/22 Late empire and Christian transformation

Meeting point: Arch of Constantine

Visits: Arch of Constantine, New Basilica, Temple of Venus & Roma, S. Giorgio al Velabro, Janus Arch

Readings: Claridge 291-294, 308-312, 373-377; Tuck Chs. 11-12

B. E. Borg, ed., A Companion to Roman Art. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell 2015.

Ch. 7 A. Bravi, “The Art of Late Antiquity” ONLINE

Week 13 11/29 National Roman Museums

Meeting point: Piazza della Repubblica (in front of Basilica of S. Maria degli Angeli)

Visits: National Roman Museums at Baths of Diocletian & Palazzo Massimo

Readings: Claridge 391-396, 481-485

B. E. Borg, ed., A Companion to Roman Art. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell 2015. ONLINE

Ch. 12 J. Feifer, “Roman Portraits”

Ch. 13 K. Lorenz, “Roman Painting”

Ch. 14 R. Ling, “Mosaics”

Ch. 15 M. Koortboojian, “Roman Sarcophagi”

Ch. 16 F. Sinn, “Decorative Art”

Week 14 12/6 Capitoline Museums; review for final exam

Meeting point: Piazza del Campidoglio (next to Marcus Aurelius statue at center)

Visits: Capitoline Museums

Readings: Claridge 259-273, 460-469; Tuck Ch. 1

B. E. Borg, ed., A Companion to Roman Art. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell 2015.

Ch. 7 A. Bravi, “The Art of Late Antiquity” ONLINE

E. A. Friedland, M. Grunow Sobocinski, and E. K. Gazda, eds., The Oxford Handbook of Roman Sculpture. Oxford: Oxford University Press 2015. ONLINE

E. R. Varner, “Reuse and Recarving: Technical Evidence”

C. C. Mattusch, “Bronzes”

M. B. Abbe, “Polychromy”

B. Longfellow, “Architectural Settings”

E. E. Perry, “Human Interactions with Statues”

E. Marlowe, Shaky Ground: Context, Connoisseurship and the History of Roman Art. London: Bloomsbury, 2013.

“Introduction: Contradictions,” 1-11 ONLINE

December 11-15 Final exam classroom G.G. 1

December 15 Assignment 2 due