Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "ARCH/CL 101"
COURSE NAME: "The Archaeology of the Ancient Mediterranean World"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2026

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Jens Koehler
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: M2:15 PM 5:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Partially on-site; activity fee: €25 or $33
OFFICE HOURS: cell. 338-5256504

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course is an introduction to current archaeological research methods, as well as to the history of Classical Archaeology as a field, providing a critical engagement with the material remains of key excavated sites related to the archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East between c. 3000 BC and AD 500. This includes a focus on the contextualization of these remains in current scholarship, in particular, on how archaeological approaches are expanding the field of investigation. The course includes visits to archaeological sites and museums in Rome for direct investigation of material remains.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Students will be introduced to archaeological research, focusing on Classical Archaeology, i. e. on Italy and the Mediterranean from Minoan Crete to Late Antique Rome. The discipline’s changing interests, methods, and excavation techniques from the 18th century to recent approaches will be analyzed.

- How to get from the excavation of ancient monuments and artifacts to an interpretation of the material evidence of past civilizations? How to read a stratigraphy, how to establish a typology?

- Why became survey techniques (e. g. ground penetrating radar, GPR) a standard of any archaeological investigation? How to overcome problems when excavating under special conditions: think of underwater archaeology, or when studying special finds: e. g. human remains?

- What are the pros and cons when employing Natural sciences (e. g. radiocarbon dating, 14C), historical data (coins and inscriptions), or stylistic evidence (art and architecture)? What does each method contribute to a better understanding of ancient communities in their chronological context?

- Archaeology does not end with the excavation: What does ‘post-excavation’ mean? Restoration and reconstruction efforts as well as the presentation to the public (of excavation sites and in museums) will be discussed.

- Finally, a view on the dark side of archaeology. Art crime, as illegal looting of archaeological sites and trafficking of art, are actual threats and may show the risks to lose our past.

Visits to archaeological sites (and to present excavations in Rome, where possible) shall intensify the understanding of the in-class lessons.

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

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students are introduced to different methods and theories of archaeological research. They can acquire the tools to recognize the most important classes of archaeological materials. 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 oral presentations and 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
Archaeology. An Introduction (5th edition, 2010)	Greene	n/a	n/a	n/a

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Midterm Test	The midterm test will consist in short questions and an essay question. Date: see schedule.	20%
Final Exam	The final exam takes place in the week of TBA. It consists in identification, short questions and cumulative essay questions.	30%
Oral Presentation	Each student has to give one oral presentation on a topic or a site or a monument to be selected (list follows). The presentation of 5-10 minutes should be accompanied by a class handout (1-2 pages). Date of presentation as best related to the class schedule.	20%
Paper	The paper should be 5-7 double-spaced pages, exclusive of images and bibliography. due dates: see schedule.	20%
paper outline	The outline of 1-2 pages should include a thesis, possible chapters, and a first bibliography.	5%
paper report	oral presentation: an abstract of the paper, including research questions, content, obstacles, and results.	5%

-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 t
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

ARCH/CL 101 Archaeology - Schedule (preliminary)

Jan 19 - 1) Introduction. Archaeological practice, theories, and methods.

syllabus; introduction books; Greene ch. 1; Claridge, Rome 197-249.

meet in classroom C.2.5, then walk to Largo Argentina temples

Jan 26 - 2) History of research. From Renaissance to the 20^th century. Collections, antiquarians, excavators.

Greene ch. 1; Claridge, Rome 259-273. 460-468.

meet in classroom C.2.5, then walk to Capitoline Hill (Piazza Campidoglio)

Feb 2 - 3) Archaeological survey techniques. Discovery and pre-excavation.

Greene ch. 2

in classroom

Friday, Feb 6 (make-up for 4/6) - 4) Visit to the Roman Forum (and Palatine Hill).

Claridge, Rome 62-159.

meet at the Arch of Constantine

Feb 9 - 5) Theory and practice of excavation

Greene ch. 3

pick oral presentation topic

in classroom/then on BBQ terrace (TBC)

Feb 16 - 6) Visit to the Villa of the Auditorium. (TBC)

Excavation, ancient topography, economy. Greek pottery.

K. Greene, Roman Pottery; Claridge, Rome 444-446)

Meet on Piazzale Flaminio, Metro A/tram 2.

Feb 23 - 7) Midterm Test

Test

in classroom C.2.5

Mar 2 - 8) Chronology and dating methods. Dendrochronology, Carbon 14, and related methods.

Greene ch. 4; Claridge, Rome 494-496.

in classroom

Mar 9 Spring break – no lesson

Mar 16 – no lesson

Friday, Mar 20 a.m. TBC – 9) Visit to Ostia Antica excavations. Stratigraphy; cemeteries, tombs, burials; masonry techniques.

www.ostia-antica.org

meet at the pyramid, Viale Ostiense

Mar 23 - 10) Visit to the Gipsoteca/Museum of Classical Art. Greek sculpture and stylistic dating.

D. E. E. Kleiner; N. H. Ramage-A. Ramage, Roman Art 24-27; R. R. R. Smith, Hellenistic Sculpture (1991) 14-18; D. Strong, Roman Art 36. 58-63.

paper outline due

meet at metro A Castro Pretorio

Mar 30 - 11) Oral presentations. (and Numismatics: Coinage).

oral pres.

in classroom

Apr 6 Easter Monday – no lesson

Apr 13 - 12) Visit to the stone collection on the Caelian Hill. Epigraphy: Inscriptions.

(and/or: Roman houses under SS Giovanni e Paolo)

Claridge, Rome 161-196. 312-319; Coarelli.

meet at the Arch of Constantine

Apr 20 - 13) Visit to the Via dei Fori Imperiali. Conservation, restoration. National archaeology. Presentation to the public: new Metro station.

Claridge, Rome 161-196. 312-319.

meet at the Arch of Constantine

Apr 27 - 14) Archaeological heritage. Art crime: Tomb raiders and the illicit art market. Review for final exam.

Greene p. 14ff. ch. 5. 6; www.artcrimeresearch.org

paper due

in classroom

May 4 TBC - 15) Final Exam

Exam

in classroom TBA

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Rome. Archaeological Guide (2010) A. Claridge

Rome and Environs (2007) F. Coarelli

Archaeology. Theories, Methods, Practice (3rd ed. 2000) C. Renfrew - P. Bahn

Reader in Archaeological Theory (1998) D. S. Whitley

Burial, Society, and Context (2001) J. Pierce, M. Millett, M. Struck

Understanding Archaeological Excavation (1986) P. Barker

The Archaeological Process (1999) I. Hodder

Archaeological Theory. An Introduction (1999) M. Johnson