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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 290-1"
COURSE NAME: "Ancient Rome and Its Monuments"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Sophy Downes
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 9:30 AM 11:20 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; activity fee: €40 or $52
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

STUDENTS SHOULD NOT REGISTER FOR BOTH AH 190 and AH 290
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.

Satisfies "the Ancient World" core course requirement for Art History majors
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:

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:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Academic participation Discussion and exchange of ideas based on reading of material covered and of new material under investigation. 10%
Class presentation Research presentation to class (10 mins) 10%
Short analytical paper Research paper (4-5 pages)25%
Mid-term examImage identifications and short-answer questions 25%
Final exam Image identifications and essays30%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
ASuperior work directly addresses the question or problem raised; provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information; demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory; and has an element of originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading.
BGood work is highly competent; directly addresses the question or problem raised; demonstrates some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice; and discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CSatisfactory work provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings only; it may have some significant structural flaw, absence of information or research background, or too casual and imprecise a treatment, or contain only a minimum of interpretation.
DPoor work lacks a coherent grasp of the material; fails to support its argument with sufficient evidence; indicates a hasty or unconsidered preparation, and/or fails to fulfill the assignment in some way; omits important information and includes irrelevant points.
FFailure 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:

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, in advance of each class, on MyJCU.
Changes, additional course information, etc. will be posted on MyJCU. 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

SCHEDULE SUMMARY

 

 

1. Mon. May. 20         Introduction to the Course, and to Rome.

Meet:                           JCU classroom

 

2. Tues. May. 21         Rome’s Foundations – real and mythological.

Meet:                           JCU classroom

           

3. Wed. May. 22         The Roman Forum

Meet:                           The Campidoglio

 

4. Thurs. May. 23      The Roman Forum 2

Meet:                           Entrance to the Roman Forum (Via dei Fori imperiali)

 

5. Mon. May. 27         The Republic - Triumphs and Temples

Meet:                           Piazza Farnese

 

6. Tues. May. 28        The Republic - Triumphs and Temples 2

Meet:                           Piazza Farnese

 

7. Wed. May. 29         Portraits and Painting

Meet:                           Palazzo Massimo

 

8. Thurs. May. 30      Pax Augusta (and mid-term review)

Meet:                           Ara Pacis

 

9. Mon. June. 3          *Mid-term Exam*

Meet:                           JCU classroom

 

10. Tues. June. 4        The Palatine

Meet:                           Varco Vignola in Via di San Gregorio

 

11. Wed. June. 5         Porta Maggiore

Meet:                           Steps of San Giovanni in Laterano.

 

12. Thurs. June. 6      The Flavians

Meet:                           Entrance to the Roman Forum (Via dei Fori imperiali)

 

13. Mon. June. 10       The High Empire – the Pantheon and the Campus Martius

Meet:                           Piazza della Rotonda

           

14. Tues. June. 11       The Capitoline Museums

Meet:                           Campidoglio

 

15. Wed. June. 12       The Capitoline Museums 2

Meet:                           Campidoglio

 

16. Thurs. June. 13     Victory, visibility, viewers

Meet:                           Trajan’s Column

 

17. Mon. June. 17       Myth and Sarcophagi

Meet:                           Palazzo Altemps

           

18. Tues. June. 18       Late Antiquity and Christianity

Meet:                           The Arch of Constantine

 

19. Wed. June. 19       Review Class                                     

Meet:                           JCU classroom

                                                                                                       

*Term Paper due* by midnight on Wednesday June 19

 

20. Thurs. June. 20    San Clemente

Meet:                           The Arch of Constantine

 

21.  Fri. June. 21         *Final Exam*

Meet:                           tba



In the meantime, core bibliographies works are:

Beard, M., J. North and S. Price. 1998. Religions of Rome. Cambridge.

Bell, S. and Hansen, I.L. (eds) (2008) Role Models in the Roman World. Ann Arbor.

Clarke, J.R. (2003) Art in the Lives of Ordinary Romans. Berkeley.

Coarelli, F. (2007) Rome and Environs: An Archaeological Guide. Berkeley.                                    

Davies, P. (2000) Death and the Emperor. Cambridge.

Dillon, S., and K.E. Welch, (eds.). 2006. Representations of War in Ancient Rome. Cambridge.

Ewald, B.C. and Noreña, C.F. (eds) (2010) The Emperor and Rome: Space, Representation, and  Ritual. Cambridge.

Fejfer, J. (2008) Roman Portraits in Context. Berlin and New York.

Galinsky, K. (1996) Augustan Culture: an Interpretative Introduction. Princeton.

Jacobs, P.W. II and Conlin, D.A. (2015) Campus Martius. The Field of Mars in the Life of Ancient Rome. Cambridge.

Kleiner, D. (2014) Roman Architecture: A Visual Guide. New Haven.

Kleiner, D.E.E. (1992) Roman Sculpture. New Haven.

Stewart, P. (2008) The Social History of Roman Art. New York, Cambridge.

Tuck, S.L. (2014) A History of Roman Art. Oxford.

Zanker, P. (1988) The Power of Images in the Age of Augustus. Ann Arbor.