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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 290-8"
COURSE NAME: "Ancient Rome and Its Monuments (On-site; activity fee €40 or $52"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Fuhrmann-Schembri Elisabeth
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TH 9:15-12:05
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; activity fee: €40 or $52
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment (cell: 329 326 7915 [email protected])

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The goal of the course is to provide an in-depth familiarity and appreciation of the multifaceted nature of Roman art and architecture in its original historical context.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is intended to offer students an introduction to the city of Rome that is architectural, artistic,
and topographic in nature. In our study of Ancient Rome, we will focus on the urban development of the
city and embellishment of the city fabric from its foundations through the Republican, Imperial and Early
Christian periods. As Rome's modern urban fabric is profoundly affected by the events of the ancient
period, this course is also intended as a tool for facilitating understanding of the city in which we
currently reside. Therefore, students are encouraged to exploit the advantage of studying in Rome and
to consider the city and its museums as a laboratory for study. Additionally the visit to Ostia Antica
will provide with a deeper insight of the daily life and functioning of Rome's seaport. Explanation of the
different methodologies of research will supply the student with the necessary instruments for their future
individual studies not only on antiquitiy, art history and architecture.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students become familiar with different methods of art historical analysis and acquire the skills for the critical analysis of visual culture in its original historical context
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Rome and its Environs: an archaeological guide Filippo CoarelliUniversity of California 978-0-520-07961-8     
JCU reader on Ancient RomeJCU art history departement     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
See booklist distributed in class  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
See booklist distributed in class  
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
 The grade of the course will be calculated: 
oral report: 8-10 minute presentation (accurate description and contextual interpretation) accompanied by a one-page handout to the class on a monument chosen from a list distributed in class.15 points
midterm and final examboth exams consist of identification of visual material, short questions and longer essay questions. Study guides will be distributed in class.22 and 28 points
research paper10-12 pages: combination of topographic description of a certain area of the Ancient city of Rome and research on a single art object; includes a complete bibliography and uses an adequate system of quotations. Detailed instructions will be distributed in class.25 points
clas participationevaluates the quality of participation10 points

-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.

Grading standards:            A    95-100 %                              C+  77-79 %
                                          A-   90-94 %                                C    74-76 %
                                          B+  87-89 %                                C-   70-73 %
                                          B    84-86 %                                D    60-69 %
                                          B-   80-83 %                                F     below


-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
This course relies on student participation in class and on-site lectures and discussions. Therefore, promptness and
attendance are mandatory, and students are highly recommended to complete the readings before each lesson - in
order to be prepared to answer and to ask thoughtful questions - as well as to review material covered in class on a
regular basis. Students are responsible on the midterm and final exams for all material including images covered in the
readings and handouts. Unexcused or excessive absences will result in the lowering of the final class grade.
Please refer to JCU's Catalog for a statement regarding absence and grading policies!





NO VISITORS are allowed to class (epecially for legal but also technical reasons)!
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

SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates
     
week 1) Jan 19Course Syllabus and Procedures. Introduction to Roman Art and Architecture. On-site: Tiber and Tiber Island. Coarelli 1-11(Introduction) Claridge 1-11, 31-59,226-28(Tiber Island),394-397; Ramage introd.; MP: JCU Chapel Lab for introd.; then we go on-site!!
week 2) Jan 26From Romulus to Caesar: Early and Republican Rome, Capitoline Hill and Museums.Coarelli 29-43 (Capitoline), 43-47 (Roman Forum: Historical notes)Ramage ch.2; Claridge 6-11, 60-74 (Roman Forum), Capitoline: 229-231, 231-240MP: Piazza del Campidoglio (Capitoline), in front of ticket office to Museum
week 3) Feb 2Etruscan Art and CultureRamage ch.1; Rasmussen 13-25 in: Henig, ch.1 (Early Roman Art)Claridge 394-397; Spivey, Etruscan ArtMP: Piazzale di Villa Giulia 9, National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia
week 4) Feb 9From Roman Republic to EmpireCoarelli 261-285 (Campus Martius I), 307-321 (Forum Holitorium and Forum Boarium)Claridge 177-180 (introd. Field of Mars), 214-228, 243-247; Strong ch.2 & 3MP: Largo Argentina, in front of Feltrinelli bookstore
week 5) Feb 16Augustus and the Imperial IdeaCoarelli 285-291, 299-304 (Augustan Campus Martius)Zanker, P., Power of Images, 33-43. 118-125, 143-162, 172-183, 335-339; Ramage ch.3 & 4; Galinsky ch.4; Strong ch.4 & 5; Claridge 11-18, Field of Mars: introd. and Augustan monuments (Mausoleum, Altar of Peace, Sundial, early Pantheon).MP: Museum of Ara Pacis, Lungotevere in Augusta (corner Via Tomacelli; near Ponte Cavour
week 6) Feb. 23MIDTERM EXAM  MP: JCU, class TBA
week 7) March 1 !! longer class until 12:45 !!Imperial Residences on the Palatine and the Development of the Colosseum Valley. Roman Forum from late Republican to early Imperial.Coarelli 131-157 (Palatine), 159-172 (Colosseum etc.), 177-190 (Oppian Hill), 47-57, 63-81, 97-98 (Roman Forum). Ramage ch.5Claridge 16-17, 116-145, 267-284, 290-93 (Nero's Golden House); Strong ch.6MP: entrance to Forum Romanum, Via dei Fori Imperiali (bring snacks!)
week 8) March 8Trajan and the Imperial Fora, Column and Markets.Coarelli 102-128 (Imperial Fora)Ramage ch.6 (Trajan); Claridge 11-18, 146-173; Strong ch.7MP: entrance to Roman Forum, Via dei Fori Imperiali
week 9) March 15 !! longer class 8:45 - 13:00 !!Ostia Antica, the Port or Rome. Fieldtrip.Coarelli 451-476; Stambaugh ch.18www.ostia-org; Hermansen; MeiggsMP: !! 8:45 Metro B stop "Piramide", exit towards Piazzale Ostiense !! (bring snacks!)
week 10) March 22SPRING BREAK   
week 11) March 29 !! longer class until 12:45 !!The Field of Mars and the High Empire; and the Baths of Caracalla.Coarelli 261-266, 286-298 (central Campus Martius), 326-331 (Baths of Caracalla), 365-367 (Via Appia)Ramage ch.7 & 8; Claridge 17-20, 177-228(Field of Mars), 369-373 (Mausoleum of Hadrian); MacDonald, Pantheon; Strong ch. 8 & 9MP: in front of Pantheon
week 12) April 5The Centre in the Later Empire: From Pagan to Christian.Coarelli 43-47, 57-63, 81-97, 98-101 (Roman Forum high and late imperial), 159-163 (ARch of Constantine), 172-175 (San Clemente), 213-223 (Caelian Hill), 224-227 (Lateran), 11-27 (City Walls)Ramage ch. 9 -12; Claridge 20-27, 70, 75-76, 83, 109-111, 115, 272-276, 284-288, 332-335 (Aurelianic Walls), 346-350; Strong ch. 10-14; MP: entrance to Roman Forum, Via dei Fori Imperiali
week 13) April 12Embellishing the City: Roman Painting and Scultpure in the Palazzo Massimo; and Baths of Diocletian.Coarelli 247-252 (Castra Praetoria nad Baths of Diocletian); La Regina, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, 9-13, 23-34, 40-42, 47-48, 87-92, 94-101, 166-7 (portraiture), 51-57 (painted frieze), 59-62 (Altar and Augustus), 121 124, 129, 130, 132, 136, 144 (sculpture), 180-206 (mosaics), 208-335 (wall paintings), 254-258 (marble intarsio).Claridge 352-354 (Baths of Diocletian); Portraiture: review Ramage 42-45, 77-81, 107-112, 138-141 and Strong 38, 44-47, 84-88; Wall paintings and Mosaics: review Ramage 82-95, 123-131, 152 and Strong 63-74, 94-104.MP: Piazza Repubblica, in front of Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli. DUE: PAPER
week 14) April 19NO CLASS. Used to prolong classes of week 7, 9, and 11.  
week 15) April 26Visualizing Ancient Rome: the City Model at the Museo della Civiltà Romana. Review of our semester!prepare course materialfollowing the study guide!MP: Metro B stop "Piramide", directly on gate direction "Laurentina"
week 16)FINAL EXAM  MP: JCU time and room TBA