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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS/CL 231-1"
COURSE NAME: "History of Ancient Rome and Italy (Visiting students: during online registraton, this course is listed as CL/HS 231)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Betello Massimo
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 10:00-11:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: Thursdays 11.45-12.45 AM or by appointment (use email to contact me)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

“Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.”
George Orwell, Nineteen-eighty-four.

“Not to know what happened before you were born is to remain forever a child.”
Cicero Orator.

“What experience and history teach is this — that nations and governments have never learned anything from history, or acted upon any lessons they might have drawn from it.”
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Lectures on the Philosophy of History.

 The history of ancient Rome and Italy can be used as great playgrounds to investigate, understand and evaluate how/why history is “created/counterfeited” and how it still matters in our modern society (politics, tv series, historical novels, journalism, architecture, literature, etc.).
The course mainly aims at:

  • presenting the students with a detailed overview of the history of ancient Italy and Rome from the Etruscans to the end of the Western Roman Empire;
  • presenting and discussing archeological, epigraphical, numismatic and literary sources of Roman history;
  • illustrating the geography of Europe and the Mediterranean basin;
  • developing an interest in Roman history and civilization that will help to better appreciate the city of Rome and may possibly guide towards future reading, research, studies;
  • showing some of the living effects of Roman civilization.

This course is composed of both of passive and active learning: the students will be asked to learn Roman history as portrayed in the textbook, and at the same time will be requested to analyze important historical sources. This will allow the students not only to master the sequence of people and historical events that made Rome the great empire it was, but also to develop an ability in critically evaluating the methods used to “make” history.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course surveys the history of ancient Rome and Italy. We will follow the chronological development of the Roman State, from the monarchic phase to the rise and collapse of the Roman Empire, ending with the deposition of the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD. The time encompassed is vast and the events numerous: we will emphasize both fundamental facts and key topics such as the changes in Roman politics, the causes of the misgovernment which bought down the Republic, how the hollow skeleton of the Republic was used to house the Principate of Augustus, and the rise of Christianity, to mention just a few.

Readings will include writings from ancient authors (i.e. Polybius, Cicero, Livy, Suetonius, Tacitus, Caesar, Augustus), from modern historians and archaeologists (i.e. Boatwright, Carandini, Montesquieu), made at times more significant by the use of art, architecture and archaeology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Taking this course will allow students:
1) to have at their fingertips the facts and personalities that make Roman History and Culture one of the most studied and fascinating fields of study;
2) to become aware of the geography and topography of the Mediterranean basin;
3) to be able to employ critical thinking to contextualize, discuss and evaluate how Roman history was created and justified:

  1. Which/Who are the sources used in creating history?
  2. Have these sources changed over time?
  3. Are they reliable?
  4. Is/was there an “occult” power trying to mold the narration of history to serve its scopes? If so, what are these scopes?
4) to have reached an understanding of some Roman archeological remains and understood their connection and importance with the history of the city of Rome;
5) to have the ability to illustrate and discuss some of the traits of the living legacy of Rome: for an attentive mind Roman history is not the empty study of old facts, but a source of inspiration for European and American culture.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The Historians of Ancient Rome. An anthology of the major writingsMellor Ronald (ed.) Routlegde978-0415971089      
A Brief History of the RomansBoatwright T. Mary, Gargola J. Daniel, Talbert J.A. RichardOxford University Press 978 -0195187151DG209 .B582    
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
A history of Rome down to the reign of Constantine Cary and SchullardBedford/St. Martin's978-0312383954 DG210 .M778 
As the Romans did: a sourcebook in Roman Social HistoryShelton Jo-AnnOxford University Press978-0195089745HN10.R7 S45 
The Satyricon And, The Apocolocyntosis / Seneca , translated with introductions and notes by J.P. SullivanPetroniusPenguin Classics978-0140444896PA6558.E5S8 
Rome : day oneCarandini AndreaPrinceton University Press978-0691139227 DG210 .M778 
Considerations on the causes of the greatness of the Romans and their declineMontesquieu Charles 9780872204966DG210 .M778 

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The ancient Roman cityStambaugh JohnThe Johns Hopkins University Press978-080183692HT114 .S7 
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm examWeek 6: Friday October 12, 2012. The topics tested will be those of the first half of the semester. It will be made up by two parts: • one testing the student’s factual knowledge (events, date, people etc) using identifications, multiple choices, true-false, etc.; • the other testing the student’s understanding and knowledge of the concepts explained using open questions, essays, etc. More specific details will be given during the semester30
Final ExamWeek 15: date TBA.<br /> The topics tested will be those of the second half of the semester.<br /> The format will follow that of the midterm exam.<br /> More specific details will be given during the semester30
Oral PresentationFrom week 4 onwards.<br /> Each student will have the opportunity to present a topic of interest to the class using one 10-minutes oral presentation accompanied by power-point slides (5 slides) and one-page handout.<br /> A list of available topics and the presentation rubric will be distributed at the beginning of the semester: students are welcome to propose topics they are interested in!10
2 TestsWeek 3 and 10.<br /> These short tests (20 minutes) are created to foster a regular study of the subject and get the students ready for the exams. Most questions will test factual knowledge (events, date, people etc.), but some questions may be about concepts.<br /> Format: short answers, multiple choices, true-false, identifications, map questions etc.10+10
Reading, in-classroom participation, assignementsComplete the readings before coming to class, please! This is the best practice to follow in order to get the most out of this course.<br /> Do not be shy in showing your knowledge of the assigned readings and to participate appropriately to class discussion.<br /> Randomly during the semester students may be asked to do some easy assignments.10
10 extra credit assignmentsVoluntary and not requested. Most of them will be personal visits to archeological remains pertinent to the weekly topics. Students will be asked to take pictures and write a very short paragraph about them. Some may request the payment of a ticket, others may not. Students do not need to complete these extra credit assignments to get the final grade of A. Each assignment will be singularly evaluated.0.5*10=5

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

These guidelines are presented to provide students with a general idea regarding how letter grades are assigned at JCU.

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 arguĀ­ments 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. This level of performance demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.

D

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.


Grade breakdown

A+

100 – 97 (will appear as A on transcript)

B-

82.99 - 80

A

96.99 - 93

C+

79.99 - 77

A-

92.99 - 90

C

76.99 - 73

B+

89.99 - 87

C-

72.99 - 70

B

86.99 - 83

D

69.99 - 60

F          59.99 >


-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance will be taken at every class.
Students are allowed ONE unexcused absence. Each other unexcused absence will sadly result in the lowering of the final grade by one degree (e.g. from A to A-). More than five unexcused absences will have you fail the class …
As from the university catalog:
“When the student misses more than the maximum number of classes allowed by the syllabus, the instructor refers the student to the Assistant Dean for Student Academic Affairs. Absences due to illness, hospitalization, death in the family, or other situations of similar gravity will normally be excused. Absences due to travel difficulties, misunderstanding on the part of the student, or personal convenience will not be excused. A student absent from a class meeting in which a final examination, mid-term or other major examination has been scheduled will be officially excused only if the student:
1. notifies the Office of the Assistant Dean for Student Academic Affairs of his/her inability to attend before the beginning of the class meeting for which the examination is scheduled;
2. subsequently presents to the same office documented evidence of a serious difficulty preventing attendance.”
Please, refer to the university catalog for any other doubts regarding attendance policy.

Important notes
Travel plans cannot interfere with any class session, especially exams and tests (see also attendance requirement).
The use of cell phones/smart phones/I-pod/MP3 players and similar is NOT permitted in class.
The use of personal computers is allowed only if directly related to the course (no facebook, checking email, twittering, texting etc). Violations of this policy will lower the final grade and may cause disciplinary actions. According to the situation observed in class, this policy is liable to be changed by the instructor during the semester.
Students are kindly asked to keep and save all the exams, tests and any other graded assignment until the final grade will be assigned.
Plagiarism and cheating will result in a grade of ‘0’ (zero) for the assignment.

Internet resources:
Rome Reborn
– Great project which has the virtual 3D reconstruction of imperial Rome as one of its objectives. If you have Google Earth on your computer, you can download the 3D reconstruction layer and fly through Rome of the time of the Emperors (very cool). Super useful for helping you visualize lost or hard to understand monuments.
livius.org/rome.html
- Contains links to short articles on a variety of topics and people of ancient Rome.
LacusCurtius
- A fairly extensive set of links to pictures and images, Latin texts and their translations, subtopics such as military history, and more.
The Perseus Project
- A gold mine for searchable Latin and Greek texts and their English translations.  It also contains a full version of the Lewis and Short Latin dictionary and very helpful morphological tools.

Ancient World Mapping Center - This site has posted a number of maps of the ancient world, with many concerning ancient Rome and Greece. These maps come in a variety of sizes and versions.

De Imperatoribus Romanis - an on-line encyclopedia of Roman rulers and their families from Augustus (27 BC-AD 14) to Constantine XI Palaeologus (1449-1453).

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

Week 1

Sept 3-9

 

Introduction to the course: syllabus, assessments, logistics, textbooks.

What are we going to deal with in this class? Roman History: a quick general outlook.

How do we know what we know? Our main sources: ancient historians, archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics.

At the beginning it was just Early Italy (Latins, Etruscans, Greeks in Italy).

Tuesday 4

BOATWRIGHT: Preface; Notes to the reader; 1-8 (Chapter 1)
Other readings: TBA

Thursday 6

BOATWRIGHT: 8-14 (Chapter 1)
Other readings: TBA

Week 2

Sept 10-16

Mythical and archaeological origins of the city of Rome.

Monarchy and the 7 mythical kings.

The deposition of the last king and the Early Republic.

Tuesday 11

BOATWRIGHT: 15-23 (Chapter 2)
Other readings: TBA

Thursday 13

Boatwright: 23-31 (Chapter 2)
Other readings: TBA

Week 3

Sept 17-23

The rise of Rome in Italy (Samnite wars, and wars with the Greeks of Italy)

 

The rise of Rome outside Italy (First and Second Punic war)

 

Tuesday 18

Boatwright: 32-44 (Chapter 3)
Other readings: TBA

Thursday 20

BOATWRIGHT : 44-53 (Chapter 3)
Other readings: TBA

Friday 21 (make up for Thursday Nov 1)

BOATWRIGHT : 54-70 (Chapter 4, only its first part)
Other readings: TBA
Test 1

Week 4

Sept 24-30

How Rome dealt with her newly conquered Mediterranean empire.

A new way of doing politics: the assassination of the Gracchi.

Tuesday 25

BOATWRIGHT : 78-98 (Chapter 5 all)
Other readings: TBA

Thursday 27

BOATWRIGHT : 99-112(Chapter 6)
Other readings: TBA

Week 5

Oct 1-7

 

External forces attack the Republic: the war with Numidia, and the menace of the German populations Cimbri and Teutones.

The first of a series of civil wars: the clash between the generals Marius and Sulla.

The end of Sulla, the beginning of Pompey.

Slave revolts, pirate wars, Catiline’s attempted revolution.

Tuesday 2

BOATWRIGHT : 112-118(Chapter 6) AND 132-4 (Chapter 7)
Other readings: TBA

Thursday 4

BOATWRIGHT : 119-140 (Chapter 7 ALL, apart from the pages assigned yesterday)
Other readings: TBA

Week 6

Oct 8-14

The penultimate chapter in the history of the Roman Republic: the first Triumvirate and another civil war.

Gaius Iulius Caesar: his rising, assassination and his dream of a new order for Rome.

Tuesday 9

BOATWRIGHT : 142-154( Chapter 8)
Other readings: TBA

Thursday 11

BOATWRIGHT : 154-166(Chapter 8)
Other readings: TBA

Friday 12 (make up for Thursday Nov 22)

MIDTERM

Week 7

Oct 15-21

The last chapter in the history of the Roman Republic: the second Triumvirate and yet another civil war.

Octavian Augustus: the establishment of new order within the hollowed out Republican institutions.

Tuesday 16

BOATWRIGHT : 167-184 (Chapter 9)
Other readings: TBA

Thursday 18

BOATWRIGHT : 184-199(Chapter 9)
Other readings: TBA

Week 8

Oct 22-28

The Julio-Claudian Emperors: Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero.

Economic and social change at the beginning of the Imperial age.

Tuesday 23

BOATWRIGHT : 201-211 (Chapter 10)
Other readings: TBA

Thursday 25

BOATWRIGHT : 211-221 (Chapter 10)
Other readings: TBA

Week 9

Oct 29–Nov 4

The Flavians Emperors and the Age of the Adopted Emperors (the five good emperors: part one): a new golden age for humanity?

Pompeii and Herculaneum: how were they obliterated by the eruption of the Vesuvius of 79 AD?

Tuesday 30

BOATWRIGHT : 222-237 (Chapter 11)
Other readings: TBA

Thursday 1(cancelled)

NO CLASS: Italian holiday

Week 10

Nov 5-11

Entertainment during the Imperial age: the Colosseum, the Amphitheaters, horse racing, Roman Baths.

The five good emperors: part two.

The Severan Emperors.

Tuesday 6

BOATWRIGHT : 237-245 (Chapter 11)
Other readings: TBA

Thursday 8

BOATWRIGHT : 247-260 (Chapter 12)
Other readings: TBA
TEST 2

Week 11

Nov 12-18

The crisis of the third century.

Citizenship granted to all the free inhabitants of the Empire.

Christianity and the Romans

The Tetrarchy

Tuesday 13

BOATWRIGHT : 260-271 (Chapter 12)
Other readings: TBA

Thursday 15

BOATWRIGHT : 273-284 (Chapter 13)
Other readings: TBA

Week 12

Nov 19-25

The dissolution of the tetrarchy

Consequences of the acts of Constantine.

Tuesday 20

BOATWRIGHT : 284-296 (Chapter 13)
Other readings: TBA

Thursday 22 (Thanksgiving)

NO CLASS

Week 13

Nov 26-Dec 2

Economy, culture and religion during the late Empire.

The fall of the Roman Empire (part one).

Tuesday 27

CS: 536 549 (Chapter 43)
Other readings: TBA

Thursday 29

CS: 550-553 (Chapter 44)
Other readings: TBA

Week 14

Dec 3-9

The fall of the Roman Empire (part two)

Review.

Tuesday 3

Thursday 6

CS: 553-558 (Chapter 44)
Other readings: TBA
Review and final questions

Week 15

FINAL EXAM
Date TBA
(do not make plans to leave this week)

FINAL EXAM
Date TBA

(do not make plan to leave this week)