Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 190-6"
COURSE NAME: "Cities, Towns & Villas: Rome, Ostia, Pompeii"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2026

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Jens Koehler
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: W2:15 PM 5:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; mandatory trip; activity fee: €40 or $52
OFFICE HOURS: cell 338-5256504

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:

The course introduces to ancient Roman civilization. We will study the ancient topography of Rome, with a focus on the city’s most important elements: Temple, Forum, Palace, Theatre, Baths, Aqueducts, City Walls and Cemeteries. The urban development from the foundation in 753 BC to the decline in the 5^th century AD goes hand in hand with the chronology of events, or the historical background. Visits to the well preserved towns of Ostia and Pompeii will contribute to understand the transformation of Roman cities through time, and the role of particular building types in ancient society. A view on Roman villas can show private architecture and life in the countryside. The last part of the course is dedicated to Late Antique Rome.

The mandatory field trip to Pompeii is scheduled for Friday, April 17.
The mandatory field trip to Ostia is scheduled for Friday, TBA.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students are introduced to different methods of archaeological analysis. The first-hand experience of unknown monuments and the examination of their historical and social context allow students to study and think critically. The nature of the exams, the class notes and 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, 2nd. ed.)	Claridge, A.	n/a	n/a	n/a

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Midterm	The exams are structured to assess students‘ knowledge of essential facts about monuments and their cultural/historical significance. The exams are based upon lectures and readings. The midterm test will consist in identifications and short questions. For the date: see schedule.	20%
Final Exam	The final exam takes place in the week of Dec. TBA. It consists in identification, short questions and cumulative essay questions.	30%
Class notes	Each student will take notes of one lesson and prepare an oral summary of the class meeting, including a written handout (1- 2 pages, tables, plans, illustrations). You are expected to visit sites (or prolong your visit) to organize your thoughts. The aim of the presentations is to communicate effectively.	15%
Research Paper	The paper should be 5-7 double-spaced pages, exclusive of images and bibliography. Due dates for outline and for final paper: see schedule. No late papers are accepted. Please refer to additional term paper guidelines. The outlines (1-2 pages) should consist of a thesis statement, table of contents, and bibliography.	25%
Participation	In addition to timely presence, active participation is expected of all students. You are expected to come to class having read the assignment and to be prepared to answer and make relevant questions and to share your own observations.	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 requir
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). Please refer to the university catalog for attendance and absence policy.

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

AH 190-6 Ancient Roman Cities - Schedule

Session, Session Focus, Reading Assignment, other Assignment, Meeting Place

always rely on the last update on Moodle for days, hours, visits and for the exact meeting points

Jan 21 - 1. Introduction. Ancient Rome. Chronological Overview - History and Topography.

Claridge 4-15. 494-496. Syllabus.

in classroom C.2.5, then walk

Jan 28 - 2. Capitol and the ancient city center: Forum Romanum, Tiber Island, Theater of Marcellus, Forum Boarium temples. Roman history.

Claridge 62-67. 259-273. 274-290.

pick oral presentation topic

meet on Capitoline Hill, Piazza Campidoglio

Feb 4 - 3. Forum Romanum and Palatine. Origins, political center, imperial palaces. Monarchy, Republic, and early Empire.

Claridge 62-159.

meet at the Arch of Constantine, near Colosseum

Feb 11 - 4. Spectacles: Circus Maximus. Nero's palace, Colosseum and Ludus Magnus.

Claridge 299-306. 313-319. 326-328.

meet at the Arch of Constantine

Feb 18 - 5. Imperial Fora and Markets of Trajan. The Roman emperors and political propaganda. Midterm review.

Claridge 160-196.

meet at the Column of Trajan, near Piazza Venezia

Feb 25 - 6. Field of Mars (Campus Martius). Mausoleum, Ara Pacis, Sundial of Augustus. Religion and propaganda. Hadrian's Pantheon and temple.

Claridge 197-249.

meet at the tower on Largo Argentina

Mar 4 at 1:30 pm ! - 7. Midterm Test

Test

early start!

in classroom C.2.5

Mar 11 Spring break - no lesson

Mar 18 – no lesson (for 4/17)

Mar 25 - 8. City Walls and Aqueducts: archaic and Republican walls. Aqueducts: Aqua Marcia, Aqua Claudia, Porta Maggiore.

Claridge 61.369-371. 397-399. 60-61. 383-387; www.romanaqueducts.info P. Aicher

Paper outline due

meet at Termini railway station

Apr 1 at 1:30 pm ! - 9. Ostia Antica: Harbor of Ancient Rome. History, city planning, Roman trade and economy.

J. Stambaugh; F. Coarelli, Rome;www.ostia-antica.org

early start!

meet at the pyramid of Cestius, Piazzale Ostiense

Apr 8 - 10. Baths of Caracalla: architecture, technology, social life. Aurelian walls.

Claridge 357-365; M. Piranomonte; F. Yegul

meet at metro B stop Circo Massimo

Apr 15 – no lesson (for 4/17)

Friday Apr 17 at 7:00 am ! - 11. & 12. Fieldtrip to Pompeii. History and destruction of the town. Public and private buildings. Daily Life

Stambaugh; www.pompeiisites.org

very early start!

meet at 7 a.m. on Piazza Trilussa

Apr 22 - 13. Catacombs of St Agnes, Mausoleum of Constantina. Early Christians.

Claridge 439-441. 447-458.

meet at metro B1 stop Sant’Agnese/ Annibaliano

Apr 29 - 14. Late Antiquity. Arch of Constantine. Caelian Hill and San Clemente.

Claridge 307-312. 341-355.

Paper due

meet at the Arch of Constantine

May 6 TBA FINAL EXAM

final exam

in classroom TBA

THE FIELD TRIP TO POMPEII HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 17. WE WILL DEPART FROM PIAZZA TRILUSSA PROMPTLY AT 7:00 a.m. AND EXPECT TO RETURN TO ROME BY 7:00 p.m.

This class schedule may be changed - students will be informed of any change. You can call the front office at 06-6819121

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author
Rome and Environs (2014) also as ebook	Coarelli, F.
A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome (1992)	Richardson, L.
Daily Life in the Roman City: Rome, Pompeii, Ostia (2004)	Aldrete, G. S.
Rome, Ostia, Pompeii: Movement and Space (2011)	Laurence, R. – Newsome, D. J.
A History of Rome (2005)	Le Glay, M. et al.
The Ancient Roman City (1988)	Stambaugh, J.
Cambridge Illustrated History of the Roman World (2003)	Woolf, G. (ed.)
Roman Building (1994)	Adam, J.-P.
Roman Architecture (2003)	Ward Perkins, J. B.
Roman Builders (2003)	Taylor, R.
A Companion to Roman Architecture (2013)	Ulrich, R. B. – Quenernoen, C.
Roman Art. Romulus to Constantine (2005)	Ramage, N. H. – Ramage, A.
Roman Art (1988)	Strong, D.
Roman Painting (1991)	Ling, R.
The Power of Images in the Age of Augustus (1988)	Zanker, P.
Baths and Bathing in Classical Antiquity (1992)	Yegul, F.
The Houses of Roman Italy (1991)	Clarke, J. R.
The Churches and Catacombs of Early Christian Rome (2001)	Webb, M.

Session	Session Focus	Reading Assignment	Other Assignment	Meeting Place/Exam Dates