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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 291"
COURSE NAME: "Medieval Rome and Its Monuments"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Lila Yawn
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: W9:15 AM 12:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Rome City Series - An on-site survey of Roman urbanism, as well as developments in figural media and architecture, from the 4th to the 14th century. While the course will naturally emphasize the abundant religious art remaining in the city, it will also examine such secular achievements as towers, housing, defenses, and roads.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
AH 291 surveys Roman monuments of art and architecture surviving from the thousand-year ‘Age in the Middle’ between Classical Antiquity and the Early Modernity, i.e. the Renaissance. The class meets entirely on location in Rome, allowing for first-hand study of buildings, paintings, mosaics, sculpture, and other objects. Class meetings will consist of lectures, group activities, and discussions, for which students are expected to prepare in advance.

IMPORTANT: You may not be registered for a class that immediately precedes or follows this one, given the time required for travel to and from the monuments.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
In this course, you will learn to: 

° Describe the socio-political-stylistic periods through which Roman art and architecture passed between A.D. 300 and 1300, citing and dating specific, exemplary monuments;

° Analyze the symbolic and aesthetic content of works of late ancient and medieval art and architecture with respect to their intended uses and purposes and in light of the modes of thought and taste to which they responded;

° Describe the transformations of the ancient Roman cityscape and of individual monuments within it in response to the cultural, social, and demographic realities of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Rome: Profile of a City, 312-1308Richard KrautheimerPrinceton University Press9780691049618     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm essayTake-home, open-book essay15
Final examinationWritten, in-classroom, closed-book exam, consisting of monument identifications and essays30
Monument identification quiz (in class)This quiz requires that you identify ten works of art or architecture that we have studied together. From a photograph of the work, be prepared to specify its title, location (current location for works still in situ; original location for others, where the information is known), medium, and date. The quiz will be administered in class. No books or notes may be consulted during the quiz.5
Research projectComponents: project summary and bibliography (8 source minimum) with content summaries (150 to 300 words per summary, one summary per source); final paper (2000 words)35
ProfessionalismClass participation, obvious preparation, outside reading, attendance, collegiality, facilitation of positive class dynamic15

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork 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.
BThis 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.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis 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.
FThis 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:
Attendance and punctuality (i.e. ready to start 9:15 am for all on-site meetings) are mandatory and will count heavily in your participation/professionalism grade. So will your obvious level of active intellectual engagement in the course content throughout each class meeting. Meeting points for classes are indicated in the schedule below. Please plan to arrive well before the departure time given in the schedule, as classes depart at precisely 9:15. 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, given that the order of our visits to the monument, depending on reservations and other factors, may not be precisely the order listed in the syllabus. 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 or by postings to our class webpage in MyJCU. For that reason YOU MUST CHECK our page in MYJCU BEFORE EACH CLASS MEETING, preferably late the previous evening or in the morning before you depart.
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
Class no. Mo. Day Meeting Point Area of the City Theme Principal Monuments Preparatory readings - Secondary (modern) sources Preparatory readings - primary (late ancient and medieval) sources Assignments due
1 9 3 JCU Guarini Campus -G.K..1.3 Trastevere Shape of the course; the changing cityscape Aurelian Wall; a Early Christian and Medieval Trastevere Read course syllabus.      
2 9 10 Front entrance of Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, Piazza della Repubblica - (For fun and surprises arrive early, and have a look inside the church.  Please be waiting just outside the main entrance at 9:15). Area of Stazione Termini Classical heritage & the earliest Christian imagery  Roman National Museum:  Museo delle Terme; Palazzo Massimo alle Terme Choose one:  J. Snyder, Medieval Art, 1989 (JCU Library Reserves N5975 .S58):  Ch. 1 (pp. 14-26); OR M. Stokstad, Medieval Art (JCU Library Reserves N5970 .S75): Ch. 1 (pp. 1-17); OR L. Nees, Early Medieval Art (JCU Library Reserves  N5970 .N44): Ch. 2 (pp. 31-45).  Optional but highly recomended:  Nees, Early Medieval Art, Ch. 1 (pp. 17-29). Bible:  Genesis, Ch. 5-9 (Noah story); Gospel of John, Ch. 10: 1-21 (Parable of the Good Shepherd): <http://www.drbo.org> Email instructor your three top research topic preferences (see instructions) by midnight, Satruday, Sept. 13th.  See instructions at end of syllabus.
3 9 17 Egyptian obelisk in Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano. Near metro line A and routes o bus 3 from Trastevere or 87 from Torre argentina. Lateran Imperial Christian Architecture & Art Lateran Baptistery & Basilica Krautheimer, Rome:  Profile of a City (JCU Library Reserves DG811 .K7): Ch. 1; OR Stokstad, Medieval Art, Ch. 2, pp. 18-36; OR Nees, Early Medieval Art, Ch. 3 (pp. 47-61) AND Snyder, Medieval Art, Ch. 2 (pp. 28-39) Eusebius: The Conversion of Constantine:  <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/conv-const.asp>; primary texts @ C. Davis-Weyer, Early Medieval Art 300-1150 (JCU Library  Reserves N5975 .D3): pp. 34-37.  
4 9 24 JCU Campus:  G.K.1.3 Trastevere Old St. Peter's Basilica + library lesson Lectures in G.K.1.3 and in JCU Library lab Kessler & Zacharias, Rome 1300, Ch. 6, pp. 182-218.  Davis-Weyer, Early Medieval Art, pp. 11-15, 17-23, 25-33.  
5 10 1 Via Nomentana, 349.  We will meet early (8:30) at Torre Argentina (Cafffé Camerino) and take a bus together.  Class will end as usual at 12:00 on site. Via Nomentana Early Christian funerary and martyrial architecture Via Nomentana funerary complex:  catacomb, martyrial Church, &  coemeterium subteglatum of Sant'Agnese; Mausoleum of Constantia  Krautheimer, Rome: Profile, Ch. 2; OR Snyder, Medieval Art, Ch. 3 (pp. 40-65); OR Stokstad, Medieval Art, Ch. 2, pp. 36-48). Bible: Matthew, Ch. 16 & Ch. 26: 17-30: <http://www.drbo.org>; St. Ambrose on St. Agnes:  http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf210.iv.vii.ii.ii.html  
6 10 8 Caffé Fantini, Piazza dell'Esquilino, 36.  Hint:  with your back to the exterior of the apse of S. Maria Maggiore (not the entrance), Caffé Fantini is across the street and on your left.  Bus 75 from Via Induno is one option for getting there. Viminal & Esquiline Hills Churches & mosaics in the age of the Visigothic Sack, pt. 1 Santa Pudenziana; Santa Maria Maggiore T. Mathews, The Clash of Gods (JCU Library Reserves N7832 .M36), Ch. 4, pp. 92-114.  Also: review readings of September 17 & October 1. Bible: Ezekiel Ch. 1; Book of Revelation (entire), esp. Ch. 4: <http://www.drbo.org>; Procopius on the Sack of 410: <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/410alaric.asp> Midterm exam, pt. 1 (image quiz) @ the start of class; Midterm exam, pt. 2 take-home essay) assigned.
7 10 15 Entrance of S. Sabina, Pzza Pietro d'Illiria, in Via di S. Sabina on the Aventine.  NOTE: LEAVE AMPLE TRAVEL TIME & STUDY YOUR MAP WELL IN ADVANCE. Aventine & Caelian  Churches & mosaics in the age of the Visigothic Sack, pt. 2; the end of the Western Empire and the Greco-Gothic War Santa Sabina; Santi Cosma e Damian. Visit on your own before or after: Santo Stefano Rotondo Krautheimer, Rome: Profile, Chs. 3-4 Bible: Luke Chs. 21-24; Acts Chs. 11 & 15: <http://www.drbo.org>;  Midterm exam, pt. 2 (take-home-essay) due @ start of class.
8 10 22 Column in front of the main entrance of S. Maria Maggiore Esquiline; Imperial fora The Carolingian renovatio Santa Prassede; Salus Populi Romani in Santa Maria Maggiore Krautheimer, Rome: Profile, Chs. 5-6. Optional but highly reccomended: H. Belting, Likeness and Presence (JCU Library Reserves N7850 .B4513), pp. 49-73. Donation of Constantine:  http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/source/donatconst.asp  
9 10 29 Caffé S. Clemente, Via S. Giovanni in Laterano 124.  An easy walk from the Colosseum; take use your map. Caelian Hill   San Clemente L. Yawn, "Clement's New Clothes" - in MyJCU;  Krautheimer, Rome: Profile, Ch. 7 (begin)   Topic summary & bibliography with sources summaries due @ start of class
10 11 5 Inside front porch of San Crisogono (near Piazza Sonnino, at intersection of Via della Lungaretta and Viale di Trastevere, near 8 tram stop closest to Tiber.  Look for the big belltower.) Trastevere Papal Schisms and monumental rhetoric, pt. 2; plus a foretaste of the Duecento San Crisogono; San Benedetto in Piscinula; Santa Maria in Trastevere.   Krautheimer, Rome: Profile, Ch. 7 (finish) Gregory the Great, Dialgoues, on St. Benedict (esp. Proloque & Chs. 1 & 26:  <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/g1-benedict1.asp>; Bible - Canticles (entire); Luke, Ch. 2, and Matthew, Chs. 1-2: <www.drbo.org>.  
11 11 12 Obelisk in Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano Lateran & Caelian The Duecento, pt. 1; & the Jubilee of 1300 Sancta Sanctorum Chapel; Lateran cloister; Santi Quattro Coronati Krautheimer, Rome: Profile, Ch. 8; OR Kessler & Zacharias, Rome 1300 (JCU Library Reserves N7952 .R6 K48), Ch. 2 (pp. 38-64). Optional but highly recommended: Kessler & Zacharias, Rome 1300, Chs. 3-5. Review Donation of Constantine  
12 11 19 Courtyard of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere Trastevere The Duecento, pt. 2; domestic architecture & the medieval cityscape Santa Cecilia in Trastevere; medieval houses and (time allowing) Museo della Crypta Balbi Krautheimer, Chs. 12-13    
13 11 26 S. Paolo fuori le mura, base if the belltower San Paolo; Esquiline The Duecento, pt. 3 Santa Maria Maggiore: apse, façade, prasepio L. Yawn, "Fields of Dreams" (in MyJCU).  Optional:  Krautheimer, Ch. 14. Thomas of Celano, Life of St. Francis of Assisi (entire):  <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/stfran-lives.html>; Research paper due @ start of class
14 12 3 Capitoline Square at the statue of Marcus Aurelius Capitoline The Duecento, pt. 4; art during the Avignon papacy & under Cola di Rienzo Santa Maria in Aracoeli;  Capitoline  (time allowing) Optional but fascinating:  R. Musto, Apocalypse in Rome, pp. 1-4, 104-129 Benedict the Canon, Marvels of Rome (JCU Library Reserves DG805 .M57), pp. 17-23, 28-30, 38-39  
FINAL EXAM WEEK:  EXAM PERIOD TBA by the JCU ADMINISTRATION