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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 290-10"
COURSE NAME: "Ancient Rome and Its Monuments (On-site; activity fee €40 or $52)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Yawn Lila
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: W 9:15-12:05
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; activity fee: €40 or $52
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
See Summary of Course Content and Learning Outcomes
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This upper-level survey course examines the art and architecture of ancient Rome from the traditional date of the city’s founding in 753BCE to the year in 312 CE, when Constantine the Great captured the city, paving the way for the momentous cultural shifts of the fourth and fifth centuries.  This specific section of AH290 focuses upon art and architecture as evidence for daily life in ancient Rome.  Through the direct study of archeological sites, buildings, sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and other objects, accompanied by directed readings of ancient sources in translation, the course assists students in cultivating a vivid vision of ancient Rome and the lives of its inhabitants—their material surroundings, social ogarnization, work lives, religious practices, and leisure activities.  All class meetings, except for those for the midterm and final examinations, take place at archaeological sites and museums in or near Rome.


LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Objectives

In this course students will learn to:

  • Enumerate the major features of ancient Roman topography and the milestones of the city’s political and demographic development;
  • Accurately describe how ancient Romans lived, citing specific, supporting examples from ancient Roman material and visual culture and from critical readings of primary sources in translation;
  • Apply the chief methods of art-historical analysis, with special attention to art and artefacts as evidence for social history.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
As the Romans Did. A Sourcebook in Roman Social HistoryJo-Ann SheltonOxford University Press0-19-508974-X Please see additional recommended and reserve readings above under evaluation criteria.   
JCU AH290 Coursepackn/aJCUn/an/aPurchase at copy shop across of Palazzo Mattei di Giove near the turtle fountain   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm examinationWritten, in-classroom, closed-book exam (1 hr. 15 min.) made up of some combination of:  monument identifications, short-answer questions, essays.15
Final examinationWritten, in-classroom, closed-book exam (2 hrs.) made up of some combination of:  monument identifications, short-answer questions, essays.30
Research Project  Components:  preliminiary bibliography with source summaries (min. 6 peer-reviewed scholarly and 2 primary sources outside of textbook; one summary per content source, 150 to 300 words), report to the class (10 min.), paper (2000 words)40
ProfessionalismPreparation; punctuality; collegiality; clear and constant engagement during class meetings; well-informed and throughtful contributions to class discussions and group problem-solving; voluntary independent visits to pertinent monuments; contributions to the intellectual life of the class over and above the basic course requirements.15

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Please see above for percentages assigned to each assignment.

Grade Scale

A 100-94 B 86-83 C 74-70

A- 93-90 B- 82-80 D 69-60

B+ 89-87 C+ 79-75 F 59-0

John Cabot University Marking Criteria

Grade: A

Work of this quality is rare and should stand out.  It may be the case that in some areas of study a modest number of students achieve this mark on some assignments.  However, when aggregating the marks awarded for the various elements of assessment, it is not expected that many students will achieve this overall result.  Work that receives a grade of A is characterized by the following:

  • Directly addresses the question or problem raised
  • Provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information
  • Critically evaluates concepts and theory
  • Relates theory to practice
  • Reflects the student's own argument and is not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material
  • Is very accurate; has an element of novelty if not originality
  • Provides evidence of reading beyond the required reading
  • Displays an awareness of methodological concerns and displays an awareness of the limitations of current knowledge

Grade: B

This is a highly competent level of performance.  Students earning this grade may be deemed capable of pursuing more advanced study.  Work that receives a grade of B is characterized by the following:

  • Directly addresses the question or problem raised
  • Provides a coherent argument drawing on relevant information
  • Shows some ability to evaluate concepts and theory and to relate theory to practice
  • Reflects the student's own argument and is not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material
  • Does not suffer from any major errors or omissions
  • Provides evidence of reading beyond the required reading
  • Displays an awareness of other approaches to the problem area

Grade: C

This is an acceptable level of performance.  All competent students should be expected to achieve at least this level.  Work that receives a grade of C is characterized by the following:

  • Addresses the question but provides only a basic outline of relevant arguments and evidence along the lines of that offered in the lectures and referenced readings
  • Answers are clear but limited
  • Some minor omissions and inaccuracies but no major errors

Grade: C-

This level of performance demonstrates some knowledge and an element of understanding but is, on the whole, weak.  Students attaining this level of performance should compose a small minority of those in a course and should not ecpect to progress to more advanced degree work. Work that receives a grade of C- is characterized by the following:

  • Points made in the answer are not always well supported by argument and evidence
  • Relevant points have been omitted from the answer
  • There are some errors in the answer
  • Parts of the question remain unanswered
  • Answers may be unduly brief and possibly in note form

Grade: D

These grades indicate that the students in question have barely done enough to persuade the instructor that they should not be failed.  Work that receives a grade of D is characterized by the following:

  • Answers lack a coherent grasp of the problems and issues raised in the question
  • Important information has been omitted from the answers and irrelevant points have been included
  • Answers are far too brief

Grade: F

Failing grades should be granted to work that indicates to the instructor that the students who submitted it have not benefitted in any clear way from academic study.  Failing work:

  • Fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question
  • Reveals fundamental misunderstanding of the subject matter
  • Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant

Timely Submission of Work

Late work will not be accepted for any reason.  Assigments submitted after the due date/class meeting automatically earn a grade of 0.

Academic Honesty

All work submitted for this course must conform to professional standards of academic integrity. In particular, it is essential and required that you give appropriate credit to the authors of any and all intellectual material employed in the preparation of the Research Project.

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.

Code of Conduct of On-Location Classes

Meeting points and times are specified in the spreadsheet at the end of the syllabus. For every class meeting, be sure to:

-Bring your Rome bus pass or at least two bus tickets and a detailed Rome map;

-Come prepared for all weather. The class forges ahead rain or shine;

-Wear comfortable walking shoes—enclosed shoes with rubber soles generally work best on Roman streets;

-Wear clothing respectful of local decorum. Since we will enter many churches, always wear clothing that covers your shoulders, knees, and everything in between—no shorts, thigh-length mini-skirts, sleeveless tops, bare midriffs, or bare feet. Men should remove their hats upon entering a building.

-If you have a mobile phone, please turn it off at the start of each class meeting and do not turn it on again until class has ended. This is a matter of respect toward the professor, other students in the class, and the museums and churches where our classes will take place.

-University policy does not permit persons not enrolled in AH 260 to attend our on-site classes. Please do not bring along any visitors.


-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance at all scheduled classes is required.  You are strongly encouraged to attend all class meetings but are allowed one absence.  Subsequent absences not officially excused through the JCU Dean’s Office will will result in the lowering of your grade by one tier in the grade scale (e.g. from an A- to a B+).  Late arrivals may be tabulated as absences at the instructor’s discretion.  Excused absences, for medical emergencies, can only be obtained through the JCU Dean's Office.

Meeting points for classes are indicated in the final syllabus distributed on the first day of the semester. Please plan to arrive well before the departure time given in the schedule, as classes depart at precisely at those times. If you arrive at the meeting point and the group has already left, then it is your responsibility to try to find the group—generally not an easy task. In short: plan carefully so that you arrive well before the meeting time indicated in the schedule.

The professor reserves the right to modify meeting times, places, and the monuments visited as necessary for the educational benefit of the class or due to constraints imposed by unforeseen circumstances, such as strikes. Communication about such changes will be effected either by announcement in class, via email, or by postings to the JCU web page and bulletin boards. It is the individual student’s responsibility to stay informed of such changes.

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

No

Day

Meeting Point

Themes

Principal Sites, Monuments, & Museums

Section(s) in Shelton to read in preparaton for this class meeting

1

Wed., Jan 18, 9:15-12:00

JCU Campus, Library Reference Room

(a) Review of the syllabus; (b) Introduction to Roman topography & legend

Tiber Island; Palazzo Mattei di Giove

 

2

Wed., Jan. 25

Capitoline Square (Piazza del Campidoglio), at the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius

Chronology of Roman history; Ancient Roman social structure through art and epigraphy, pt. 1:  slaves, liberti, commoners, elites

Largo di Torre Argentina

Introduction; The Roman Ideal; Slaves; Freedmen communicate top three topic choices (everyday life themes) to instructor via email no later than 5 pm.

3

Wed., 1 Feb.

Park in front of S. Maria in Cosmedin (Bocca della Verità)

The Roman State Religion: Temples, Altars, Sanctuaries

Forum Boarium & Forum Holitorium; Temples of Torre Argentina; Pantheon

Religion & Philosophy (through The Permanence of the State Religion)

4

Wed., 8 Feb.

Front entrance of Museo Nazionale Romano of Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, across the street on a diagonal from Termini train station

Elite housing & its furnishings; calendars; the ancestor cult

Roman National Museum:  Palazzo Massimo alle Terme

Marriage; Women Occupations;

5

Fri., 10 Feb., 8:45-12:45 (make.up day for Mar. 9th and for half of Mar.7)

Front steps of Pyramide Metro stop, near the coffee bar - BRING METROBUS PASS OR TWO TICKETS!

Food provisioning & dining; business; bathing; theater; imported & mystery religions; housing for non-elites; sanitation

Ostia Antica

Housing & City Life; Domestic & Personal Concerns (Meals)

6

Wed., 15 Feb.

Forum entrance in Via dei Fori Imperiali

The ancient city center:  the Forum Romanum (overview)

Forum & Palatine

Government & Politics

7

Wed., 22 Feb.

Fountain in front of the Museo dell'Ara Pacis, Lungotevere in Augusta

Elite clothing; the imperial cult

The Augustan Funerary Complex: Mausoleum of Augustus; Ara Pacis; Horologium

Families

8

Wed. 29 Feb.

Column of Trajan (tall, white column at the end of Via dei Fori Imperiali toward the Victor Emmanuel Monument)

Shopping; coming of age; art collections and war spoils; city plans; war; rough neighborhoods

The Imperial Fora; the Suburra

The Roman Army; The Provinces

9

Wed., 7 Mar.

MIDTERM EXAM

 

 

 

 

Fri., 9 Mar.

NO CLASS MEETING (compensation for Feb. 10th)

 

 

 

10

Wed. 14 Mar.

Front steps of Pyramide Metro stop, near the coffee bar - BRING METROBUS PASS OR TWO TICKETS!

Education; occupations; libraries & writing; laws; etc.; textiles; late ancient private basilicas & clientelism

Museo della Civiltà Romana at EUR; Museo dell'Alto Medioevo (textiles; Opus Sectie Hall from Porta Marina at Ostia)

Families; education

11

Wed., 28 Mar.

Arch of Constantine

Spectacle:  the arena; triumphs

Colosseum, Ludus Magnus, Forum (triumphal arches, via sacra)

Leisure & Entertainment

12

Wed., 4 Apr.

Via del Portico, 21/A (in front of the restaurant Giggetto, next to the Portico of Octavia)

Spectacle:  theater, chariot racing; imperial baths (pt.1)g

Theater of Marcellus, Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla

Leisure & Entertainment (cont.)

13

Wed., 11 Apr.

Piazza della Repubblica:  front door of S. Maria degli Angeli

Imperial Baths (pt. 2) & their afterlife; Death & burial; magic & imported religions

Baths of Diocletian; Roman National Museum:  Museo delle Terme

Domestic & Personal Concerns (Illness, Medical Treatments, Death, etc.); Religion (from Religions from the East on)

14

Wed., 18 Apr.

Front steps of Pyramide Metro stop, near the coffee bar

Garbage; city gates and walls; displaying ancient art today OR mystery religions

Monte Testaccio & associated horrea; Museo Montemartini OR S. Clemente

 

 

Final Exam Week, Apr. 28-May 4

FINAL EXAM, date, time & room TBA by the JCU Administration

 

 

Final examination