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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "SOSC/ITS 226-1"
COURSE NAME: "Rome: Modern City (On-site)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Eleonora Diamanti
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: T2:15 PM 5:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This on-site course, which will be conducted in English, aims to introduce students to a sociological analysis of contemporary Rome. It focuses on the changes which are occurring in the city’s populations, its neighborhoods and patterns of daily life and commerce, and challenges conventional images of what it is to be a Roman today. On-site classes will be held in a variety of neighborhoods in the city in order to analyze the area’s role as a social entity and its relationship with the wider urban context. We will examine the issues and problems facing Rome today, such as housing, degradation and renewal, environmental questions, transportation, multiculturalism, wealth and poverty, social conflict and political identities. These issues will be contextualized within theories of urban sociology and also within an explanation of Rome’s urban development over the centuries and, in particular, since it became the national capital in 1870. Through readings, film clips, interviews and guest speakers, students will also analyze the way the city is narrated by some of its residents.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This on-site course, which will be conducted in English, aims to introduce students to a sociological analysis of contemporary Rome. It focuses on the changes which are occurring in the city’s populations, its neighborhoods and patterns of daily life and commerce, and challenges conventional images of what it is to be a Roman today. On-site classes will be held in a variety of neighborhoods in the city in order to analyze the area’s role as a social entity and its relationship with the wider urban context. We will examine the issues and problems facing Rome today, such as housing, degradation and renewal, environmental questions, transportation, multiculturalism, wealth and poverty, social conflict and political identities. These issues will be contextualized within theories of urban anthropology, sociology and also within an explanation of Rome’s urban development over the centuries and, in particular, since it became the national capital in 1870. Through readings, film clips, interviews and guest speakers, students will also analyze the way the city is narrated by some of its residents.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course students should be able to:

1)      Demonstrate knowledge of the city’s urban development since it became national capital.

2)      Demonstrate familiarity with the economic, political, social, religious, cultural and institutional diversity that characterizes the city of Rome today.

3)      Describe individual neighbourhoods and identify their key roles and relations with the broader urban context.

4)      Identify the main sociological features of each neighbourhood and, where problems and conflicts exist, propose solutions.

5)      Demonstrate familiarity with major theories of urban sociology and apply them to the case-study neighbourhoods in order to assess their validity and relevance for understanding the particular situation of Rome.

6)      Students will develop their research and oral presentation skills by carrying out a research project, based on high quality bibliographical research as well as some fieldwork techniques, and discussing their findings with the class. 
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm ExamIn-class written exam composed of closed and open questions.30%
Final ExamIn-class written exam composed of closed and open questions.30%
Research ProjectGroup research project on a site/theme and class presentation.20%
Class Participation 10%
   
Weekly reflectionsStudents are required to post written responses on the assigned readings.10%

-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 in all classes is mandatory. More than 2 absences will result in the student automatically failing the course.
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

Please note: this schedule is subject to change, always check Moodle for weekly updates.

Week 1. Introduction

Course introduction & presentation. 

Reading:

Marinaro, I. C., & Thomassen, B. (Eds.). (2014). “Introduction.” Global Rome: Changing faces of the Eternal City. Indiana University Press. 

 

Week 2. The creation of a capital and gentrification

Testaccio 

Readings:

Palazzo, A. (2017). Culture-Led Regeneration in Rome: From the Factory City to the Knowledge City. International Studies. Interdisciplinary Political and Cultural Journal, 19, 13 - 27.

Kern, L. (2022). "Introduction." Gentrification is Inevitable and Other Lies. Verso.

 

Week 3. The creation of a capital and multiculturalism

Esquilino

Readings:

Farro, A. L., & Maddanu, S. (2022). “A Lesson at Esquilino.” In Restless cities on the edge : Collective actions, immigration and populism. Springer International Publishing AG.

Fontefrancesco, M., & Mendonce, S. (2022). Migrant Entrepreneurship and Social Integration: A Case-Study Analysis among Bangladeshi Vendors in Rome. Societies.

 

Week 4. Urban renewal and post-industrial Rome

Ostiense and Garbatella

Reading: 

De Michelis, A. (2009). "The garden suburb of the Garbatella, 1920-1929: Defining community and identity through planning in post‐war Rome." Planning Perspectives, 24(4), 509–520. https://doi.org/10.1080/02665430903145721

 

Week 5. Rome and resistance

Visit to Museo della Liberazione

Reading TBA

 

Week 6. Old city, new inhabitants

Monti and gentrification. Midterm review

Watch: Herzfeld, M. (2007). Monti moments. Berkeley Media.

 

Week 7. Midterm exam

 

Week 8. Informal living, social housing, community

Quadraro & acqueducts

Reading:

TBA

 

Week 9. Urban space and public memory of colonialism: Black Rome

Black spaces, urban inscription of colonization and decolonizing practices

Readings:

Dos Santos, K. M. (2023). Chapter 7. Black Rome. In Mapping Black Europe : Monuments, Markers, Memories (pp. 159–178). https://doi.org/10.1515/9783839454138-008

 

Week 10. Urban space and public memory after WWII

Jewish Quarter

Reading:

Schwarz, G. (2009). "The reconstruction of Jewish life in Italy after World War II." Journal of Modern Jewish Studies, 8(3), 360-377.

            https://doi.org/10.1080/14725880903263093

 

Week 11. Multiculturalism, migration and everyday life in contemporary Rome

City centre

Reading: 

Piazzoni, F. (2022). "Material Agencies of Survival: Street Vending on a Roman Bridge." Cities (123)6. 

            

Week 12. Rome feminist city

Trastevere

Reading: 

Kern, L. (2021). “Introduction.” Feminist City: Claiming space in a man-made world (Paperback). Verso.

 

Week 13. Student presentations

 

Week 14. Conclusion & review for final exam