Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 290-4"
COURSE NAME: "Ancient Rome and Its Monuments (On-site; activity fee €40 or $52) (N.B. On-campus sessions for this class will be held 8:30-11:15)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Corrado Crispin
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: W 9:15-12:00
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; activity fee: €40 or $52
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will familiarize students with the topography of the ancient city of Rome, while focusing on architectural development as Rome grew from hilltop village to world city (c. 753 B.C. – A.D. 337). Students will learn Roman building processes, building materials, and building types, as well as the changes in these aspects over the years and what those changes reflected about the current political and cultural transformations that Rome was experiencing. Students will also learn to appreciate Roman expression through building, and recognize the messages carried by individual examples and intended by individual commissioners. In addition, students will obtain a very good idea about the daily lives and movements of the Romans in and around their monuments, through close investigation of the public buildings, and the city itself. Finally, students will come away with a better understanding of what the Romans have left us in terms of physical and cultural legacy, and the many ways in which the ancient city of Rome has influenced the modern city.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is held completely on-site around the city, and is arranged chronologically and by theme. At each class meeting we will investigate monuments in a different part of the city, and will discuss specific aspects of Roman life. The course will consider the major monuments in Rome, as well as materials used for building. Together the class will also visit the major museum collections in the city, in order to heighten understanding of Roman principles of ornamentation, the importance of memory preservation, and the original appearance of the ancient monuments and Roman spaces.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will consider several different types of evidence, including material culture and literary sources, which will allow and encourage them to think critically, and better understand the sites and monuments visited, as well as the role of the archaeologist in reconstructing the past. The written and oral assignments will help improve research and communication skills.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number
Ancient Rome and Its Monuments Course Handbook	JCU Art History Department		None
Rome: An Oxford Archaeological Guide	Amanda Claridge	Oxford University Press	978 019 954 6831
A History of Roman Art	Fred S. Kleiner	Wadsworth	9780495909880

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number
Roman Sculpture	Diana Kleiner	Yale University Press	0300059485
Rome Alive, Vol. I	Peter Aicher	Bolchazy-Carducci	0865164738
The Art of Rome	J. J. Pollitt	Cambridge University Press	0521 273 65X
Death and the Emperor	Penelope Davies	University of Texas Press	0292 702 752
Roman Painting	Roger Ling	Cambridge University Press	978 0521 315 951
Art in the Life of Ordinary Romans	John Clarke	University of California Press	0520 219 767
The Power of Images in the Age of Augustus	Paul Zanker	University of Michigan Press	0472 081 241
The Roman Triumph	Mary Beard	Belknap/Harvard	9780 674 0321 87
The Art of Forgetting	Harriet I. Flower	University of North Carolina Press	080 783 0631
Roman Art in the Private Sphere	Elaine Gazda (ed.)	University of Michigan Press	0472 083 147

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Oral Presentation	You will be asked to prepare one 15-minute presentation on a specific ancient monument, which will be given to the class on-site. The presentations will be chosen from a list provided, and the topic of your presentation should be the same as the general topic of your research paper. Thus, your presentation should be very thorough and academic. When discussing your monuments, you must provide context (historical review, commissioner and reason for commission, intended uses, and involved propaganda, if any), measurements and dates, archaeological history, discussion of the monument's later life, and passages from the ancient authors, when possible and relevant. On the day of your presentation, you will be expected to turn in an outline of your talk, as well as a list of works consulted. Your list of works consulted should include at least five substantive sources (articles and/or books). In conducting your research, please use academic sources only (books and journal articles). Electronic databases, such as JSTOR, and other online academic resources, such as Perseus and www.ostia-antica.com, are acceptable and encouraged; other websites may not be consulted. You may create illustrations or plans to assist you in your presentation; these should be turned in, as well. Your presentation should serve as preliminary work for your research paper.	20
Research Paper	For your research paper, you will be asked to discuss one monument, or one monument type, in the ancient city. The paper should investigate a particular aspect of that monument/monument type, or discuss the monument/monument type from a particular point of view. The research paper should not be a simple presentation of the monument/monument type. It should be an academic discussion, including a thesis or proposed point you would like to make or demonstrate, with supporting arguments and evidence, as well as mention and explanation of specific examples. In your work, you should include discussion of the use of this monument type in Roman times. You should also include passages written by the ancient authors, where possible. Your papers should be 7 - 8 pages, double-spaced, exclusive of cover sheet, images section, and bibliography. Please use footnotes. In conducting your research, please use academic sources only (books and journal articles). Electronic databases such as JSTOR, and other online academic resources, such as Perseus and www.ostia-antica.com, are acceptable and encouraged; other websites may not be consulted.	25
Midterm Exam		20
Final Exam		25
Preparation and Participation	You are expected to show up on time to class, ready to actively participate, and having completed the reading assignment for the day.	10

-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 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 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 evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference 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. Classes start on-site and thus punctuality is essential; three tardies will count as one unexcused absence. Be warned that being physically present (with only one unexcused absence) will only earn you a B- for Preparation and Participation; if you want a higher grade you must actively participate in class discussions. Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.

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

September 5
Lecture: Course Introduction and Lecture on Early Rome

Meeting Place: JCU Classroom

September 12
Lecture: City Boundaries, Death and Burial
Site Visits: Tiber and Tiber Island, Circus Maximus, the Palatine Hill, the Aventine Hill, the Servian Walls, the Pyramid, and the Aurelianic Walls

Readings:
Claridge, Introduction and Historical Overview; Chronological Table (pp. 494 – 496)

Meeting Place: Outside the Metro “B” Circo Massimo Stop

September 19
Lecture: The Etruscans and the Early Romans
Site Visit: Villa Giulia Museum

Readings:
Kleiner, Introduction

Meeting Place: Outside the Metro “A” Lepanto Stop

September 26
Lecture: The Roman Republic I, Roman Religion, Roman Building Methods and Materials

Readings:
Kleiner, Chapters 1 and 2

Meeting Place: Outside the Metro “B” Circo Massimo Stop

October 3
Lecture: Architecture Walk, The Triumphal Parade and Route
Site Visits: Forum Boarium and the Lower Campus Martius: Theater of Marcellus, Porticus of Octavia, Excavations at Sant’Omobono, Circus Flaminius location, Fabricius’ Bridge, Tiber Island, Mouth of the Cloaca Maxima, Victory Temples in Largo Argentina, Theater of Pompey

Readings:
Claridge, Glossary (pp. 39 – 62), and Section “Circus Flaminius to Circus Maximus“ (pp. 274 – 300), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits

Meeting Place: Outside the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin/La Bocca della Verita’

October 10
Lecture: The Roman Republic II, Augustan Rome I, Roman Arts & Propaganda,

Readings:
Kleiner, Chapters 4 and 5

Meeting Place: Outside the Metro “B” Circo Massimo Stop

October 17
Lecture: Roman Roads and Commemorative Monuments
Site Visits: Augustus’ Horologium, the Ara Pacis & Claudian Altar, Augustus’ Mausoleum, via Flaminia, Column of Marcus Aurelius, Temple of the Deified Hadrian, Pantheon, Stadium of Domitian

Readings:
Claridge, Sections “Field of Mars (pp. 197 – 258), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits

Meeting Place: In front of the Ara Pacis Augustae (Lungotevere in Augusta)

October 24
Lecture: Augustan Rome II, Rome of the Julio-Claudians and Flavians, Rome’s Population, Society and Freedom

Readings:
Kleiner, Chapters 8 and 9

Meeting Place: Outside the Metro “B” Circo Massimo Stop

October 31
Site Visits: The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Readings:
Claridge, Sections “The Roman Forum” (pp. 62 – 103), “The Upper Via Sacra” and “The Palatine Hill” (pp. 104 – 159), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits

Meeting Place: Roman Forum, entrance opposite the via Cavour

November 7
MIDTERM EXAM
Lecture: Rome of Trajan and Hadrian, Roman Water Supply,

Meeting Point: JCU Classroom T.B.A.

November 14
Lecture: Roman Portraiture and Roman Wall Painting
Site Visits: Palazzo Massimo Museum (including Museum), Tomb of Eurysaces and Porta Maggiore

Reading:
Kleiner, Chapters 3, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12

Meeting Place: In front of the Termini train station, outside the bookstore

November 21
Lecture: Public Venues
Site Visits: The Imperial Fora, Forma Urbis, Colosseum, Ludus Magnus, Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla

Reading:
Claridge, Section “Imperial Forums” (pp. 160 – 196), “Caelian Hill and the Inner Via Appia” (pp. 341 – 371and “Colosseum Valley and Esquiline Hill” (301 – 340), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits

Meeting Place: Piazza Venezia, Near the Column of Trajan

November 28
Lecture: Decline and Transformation: Rome from the Antonines through Constantine
Site Visits: The Arch of the Argentarii, the Arch of Constantine

Readings:
Kleiner, Chapters 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, and 20

Meeting Place: At the Base of the Arch of Constantine, corner closest to the Colosseum

December 6
Site Visits: Capitoline Hill and Museums, Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Asylum, and Tabularium

Readings:
Claridge, Section “Capitoline Hill” (pp. 259 – 273), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits

Meeting Place: Piazza del Campidoglio, beneath the statue of Marcus Aurelius

December 9 - 14 Final Exam Week

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