Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 290-8"
COURSE NAME: "Ancient Rome and Its Monuments"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2024

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Jens Koehler
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: W 2:15 PM 5:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; activity fee: €40 or $52
OFFICE HOURS: 0039-338-5256504

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:

This is an upper level survey course focusing on the city of Rome from its origins well before the 8th century BC to the reign of emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD. Ancient Roman civilization will mostly be studied through its architecture and art, leaving but enough space to include questions of historical and social interest. Students will be introduced to the architecture of public and private buildings, and they will learn about sculpture and wall paintings. Given the advantage to stay in Rome, we can study the ancient monuments directly on-site in a first-hand approach.

Some visits include longer walks. Be prepared for cold and rainy weather. Use appropriate clothing and shoes!

Students may have to pay some extra-fee (Euro 40) to cover entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students are introduced to different methods and theories of research, developed for Archaeology and Ancient History. They can acquire the tools to recognize the most important classes of archaeological materials (typology). They will learn about the evolution of architecture and art, compared to the historical developents (chronology).

The analysis of unknown monuments and objects allow students to study and think critically. The nature of the exams, the term paper, as well as class discussion, are aimed to a further development of critical analysis, presentation and communication skills.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Rome. Archaeological Guide (2010)	A. Claridge	Oxford University Press	n;a	n/a	also as e-book	Hard Copy

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
midterm test	short answer questions. for date see schedule.	20%
oral presentation	on a topic/monument to be selected (date related to schedule of visits). oral presentation on-site (15 points) and handout (10 points).	25%
research paper	outline with bibliography 1-2 pages (5 points) and final paper with proper footnotes of 5-7 pages exclusive bibliography and images (20 points). due dates see schedule.	25%
final exam	The final exam will be in the week of Dec. 6-10. It consists of short answer questions and an essay choice (about 15/15 points).	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 f
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:

All scheduled classes are mandatory. You are allowed only one unjustified absence; every unjustified absence thereafter will result in the lowering of your grade. Attendance will be taken at each class. Because this is an on-site course with special scheduled permits to sites and museums it has strict time limitations. You must, therefore, always be punctual. You should calculate around 40-50 minutes travel time to our meeting points (specified below in the class schedule). For legal reasons no visitors are allowed to follow the class.

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

W Sept 4 at 2:15 pm

1) Introduction. Practice, theories and methods of archaeology, art history, and ancient history. First walk to monuments along the Tiber.

Claridge 4-32. 39-60. Syllabus

in classroom Horti 1 (TBC)

Sept 11

2) From Republic to Empire. Palatine Hill and Forum Romanum. Historical background, typology. Oral presentation topics.

Claridge 4-60. 62-159.

meet at Arch of Constantine

Sept 18

3) Imperial propaganda: Fora of Caesar, Augustus and of Trajan. Trajan's column and markets.

Claridge 160-196.

meet at Column of Trajan, near Piazza Venezia

Sept 25

4) Spectacles and imperial power: Circus Maximus, Colosseum and Ludus Magnus.

Claridge 299-300. 312-319.

meet at Arch of Constantine

Oct. 2

5) Augustus and the Campus Martius, North: Mausoleum of Augustus and Ara Pacis.

Claridge 197-216.

meet in front of the Pantheon

Oct. 9

6) Survey of the Campus Martius, South: Victory temples. Pantheon. Column of Marcus Aurelius.

Claridge 217-250.

meet at the tower, Largo Argentina

Oct. 16 at 1:30pm

7) Midterm Test

Midterm test

in classroom

Oct. 23

8) Centrale Montemartini

Claridge 241-246. 277-279. 468-469.

meet at the pyramid, Piazzale Ostiense

Oct. 30 at 1:30 pm

9) A Roman city: Ostia Antica. Baths, Insula houses, Mithraea.

www.ostia-antica.org

meet at the pyramid, Piazzale Ostiense

Nov. 6

10) Portraits and sculpture. Capitoline Museums

Claridge 259-273. 460-468.

meet on Capitoline Hill, Piazza Campidoglio

Nov. 13

11) Bathing and technology. Baths of Caracalla.

Claridge 357-65.

Paper outline due

meet at Metro B stop Circo Massimo

Nov. 20

12) Wall paintings and mosaic floors in the Palazzo Massimo/MNR

Claridge 50-52. 483-485.

meet at the Railway station Termini, main entrance

Nov. 27

13) Early Christian cemeteries: Catacombs of St Agnes.

Claridge 439-441. 447-458.

meet at Metro B1 stop Sant’Agnese/Annibaliano

Dec. 4

14) Late Antiquity: Arch of Constantine. Santo Stefano Rotondo.

Claridge 306-312. 345-348.

Paper due

meet at Arch of Constantine

Dec.

Final Exam week

Final exam

in classroom

This schedule may be changed. Students will be informed of any change.

You can call the front office at 06-6819121.