Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 190-2"
COURSE NAME: "Cities, Towns & Villas: Rome, Ostia, Pompeii (On-site; activity fee €40 or $52; Mandatory Trip to Pompeii)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: De Sena Eric
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: W 9:15-12:05
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; mandatory trip; activity fee: €40 or $52
OFFICE HOURS: M 11:30-13:00 or by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course has the following objectives:
· To provide a solid understanding of the urban development of ancient Italy
· To communicate an understanding of public and private architecture in the ancient Roman world, within its social, historical and cultural context

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course examines Roman visual culture in Italy from ca. 800 BC to ca. AD 315 by focusing on the most important surviving sites in Rome and its environs and in the areas hit by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. A focus throughout the course is the development of Roman cities and towns, their plans and topography, their public monuments and their political, economic, social, and religious institutions. We will also study private architecture: from the aristocratic city-house to the country villa to middle class homes. In addition to formal descriptions of the structures, there is a strong emphasis on the role of the monument in ancient society. The course will be conducted entirely on site. There is a mandatory field trip to Pompeii on a Friday to be determined (equivalent to 2 class meetings).

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students are introduced to different methods of art historical analysis. The first-hand experience of monuments and the examination of their historical and social context allow students to study and think critically. The nature of the exams, the visual analysis and term paper, as well as class discussion, are aimed to a further development of critical analysis, presentation and communication skills.

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

NONE

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A: Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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.

B: This 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.

C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D: This 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.

F: This 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:
One unexcused absence is permitted. Be warned that being physically present will only earn you a B-
Higher grades are earned by showing enthusiasm and actively participating in 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

Tentative Schedule (This schedule will be superseded by the syllabus distributed in class):

There is a mandatory FIELD TRIP TO POMPEII ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012 which counts as two class sessions. The buses will leave
PIAZZA TRILUSSA at 7:00 a.m.

Session 1 Introduction to the course; Archaic Rome: Aeneas to Tarquinius Superbus

MP: JCU classroom T.B.A.

Monuments: Capitoline Hill, Area of Sant’Omobono, Circus Maximus, Forum cemetery, Lapis Niger, Regia.

Readings: Stambaugh Introduction and Ch. 1; Ramage and Ramage Intro and Ch. 1; Claridge pp. 3-30 and monuments

Sessions 2 The Early to Middle Republic

MP: Roman Forum – entrance opposite via Cavour

Monuments: Servian Wall, Temple Saturn, Temple Castor and Pollux, Temple Concordia, Temple Vesta, Curia/Comitia, Basilica Aemilia, Basilica Sempronia, Iron Age huts, Temple Magna Mater.

Readings: Stambaugh Ch. 2+15; Sear Ch. 1; Claridge monuments

Session 3 The Late Republic

MP: tower at Largo Argentina

Monuments: Largo Argentina, Theater of Pompey, Tabularium, Temples in Forum Boarium/Holitarium, Temples of Jupiter Stator and Juno Sospita (Porticus of Octavia).

Readings: Stambaugh Ch. 3; Sear Ch. 2; Claridge monuments

Session 4. Rome of Julius Caesar and Augustus, I

MP: Roman Forum – entrance opposite via Cavour

Monuments: Curia Julia, Basilica Julia, Rostra, Temple of Divine Caesar, Arch of Augustus, Forum of Julius Caesar, Forum of Augustus, House of Augustus/Livia, Temple of Apollo.

Readings: Stambaugh Ch. 4; Ramage and Ramage Ch. 3; Claridge monuments; Suetonius, Julius Caesar and Augustus; Res Gestae

Session 5. Rome of Julius Caesar and Augustus, II

MP: middle of Circus Maximus

Monuments: Circus Maximus, Theater of Marcellus, Porticus of Octavia, Naumachia, first phase of Pantheon, Horologium, Mausoleum of Augustus, Ara Pacis.

Readings: Stambaugh Ch. 4; Ramage and Ramage Ch. 3; Claridge monuments; Suetonius, Julius Caesar and Augustus; Res Gestae

Sessions

6+7. FRIDAY OCT. 1 – FIELD TRIP TO POMPEII (bus departs from Piazza Trilussa at 7:00 a.m.)

Readings: Stambaugh Ch.17, 6-14; Aldrete section on Pompeii.

Optional: Wallace-Hadrill and Zanker

Session 8 MID-TERM EXAM at JCU

Session 9. Decline and Revitalization: Tiberius to Domitian

MP: Roman Forum – entrance opposite via Cavour

Monuments: Domus Aurea, Circus of Nero, Baths of Nero, Arch of Titus, Colosseum, Temple of Divine Claudius, Flavian Palace; House of Augustus and Livia, Temple of Apollo.

Readings: Sear Ch. 5 and 7; Ramage and Ramage Ch. 4-5 (focus on architecture); Claridge monuments

Session 10. Architecture under the “Five Great Emperors”

MP: Metro B Colosseo

Monuments: Temple of Peace, Forum of Nerva, Forum and Markets of Trajan, Baths of Trajan, Temple of Venus and Rome, Pantheon, Temple of Divine Hadrian, Column of Marcus Aurelius.

Readings: Stambaugh Ch. 5; Ramage and Ramage Ch. 6-8 (focus on architecture); Claridge monuments

Session 11

Daily Life in a Roman City: visit to Ostia Antica I

MP: meet at ticket booth of Ostia Antica at 9:00

Readings: Stambaugh Ch. 18, 6-14; www.ostia-antica.org for individual monuments; Adam Ch. 1-2

Session 12

Daily Life in a Roman City: visit to Ostia Antica II

MP: meet at ticket booth of Ostia Antica at 9:00

Readings: Stambaugh Ch. 18, 6-14; www.ostia-antica.org for individual monuments; Adam Ch. 1-2

Session 13 - T.B.A.

Session

14 Rome between the reigns of Septimius Severus and Constantine

MP: Baths of Caracalla

Monuments: Arch of Septimius Severus, Arch of the Argentarii, Baths of Caracalla, Baths of Diocletian, “Arch of Janus”, Arch of Constantine.

Readings: Ramage and Ramage Ch. 9, 11, 12 (focus on architecture); Claridge monuments

FINAL EXAM: JCU campus, date and time T.B.A.

Please note the the Final exam may be scheduled on a Saturday or Sunday.

Primary Readings:

For sale (purchase is strongly recommended) and on reserve:

A. Claridge, The Oxford Archaeological Guide to Rome (Oxford 1998).

J. Stambaugh (1988) The Ancient Roman City

On reserve:

J.-P- Adam (1991) Roman building: material and techniques (1991)

G. Aldrete (2004) Daily Life in the Roman City: Rome, Ostia and Pompeii

W. MacDonald (1982) The Architecture of the Roman Empire (2 vols.).

O.F. Robinson (1992, 1994) Ancient Rome: City Planning and Administration

F. Sear, Roman Architecture (Cornell University Press 1998).

J.-A. Shelton (1997) As the Romans Did: A Sourcebook in Roman Social History