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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 190-4"
COURSE NAME: "Cities, Towns & Villas: Rome, Ostia, Pompeii"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Crispin Corrado
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: T2:15 PM 5:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; mandatory trip; 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. 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 private and 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 cultural and physical legacy.
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 and ornamentation. Building types include public, religious and civic buildings,

as well as private architecture in the form of houses, apartment buildings, expansive villas, and palaces. A very important aspect of the course

will be studying two additional Roman towns, Ostia and Pompeii, which provide vastly different evidence, in order to round out students’ ideas

of the ancient city by understanding what Roman towns shared, and by seeing firsthand which aspects made each of them unique.
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 TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The Ancient Roman CityJohn E. StambaughJohns Hopkins University Press0-8018-3574-7     
Rome: An Oxford Archaeological GuideAmanda ClaridgeOxford University Press978-0-19-954683-1     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Preparation and ParticipationYou are expected to show up on time to class, ready to actively participate, and having completed the reading assignment for the day10
Oral PresentationYou will be asked to prepare two 5-minute presentations on specific ancient monuments, which will be given to the class on-site. The presentations will be chosen from a list provided. When discussing your monuments, you must provide context (historical review, commissioner and reason for commission, intended uses, and propaganda, if any), measurements and dates, archaeological history, discussion of the monument's later life, and passages form 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. You may create illustrations or plans to assist you in your presentation; these should be turned in, as well. 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. 20
Research PaperFor your research paper you will be asked to discuss one aspect of daily life in ancient Rome. In your work, you should include and discuss specific examples of monuments (in ancient Rome, Ostia, and/or Pompeii) associated with this aspect. You should 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

-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:
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.
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):

Note: The date for the day trip to Pompeii will be announced.

Week 1:

Lecture: Course Introduction and Lecture on Early Rome; City Boundaries; Death and Burial

Meeting Place: JCU Classroom (T.B.A.)

Site Visits: Circus Maximus, the Palatine Hill, the Aventine Hill, the Servian Walls, the Pyramid, and the Aurelian Walls

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

Week 2:

Lecture: The Roman Republic and Roman Religion

Meeting Place: The Tower in Largo Argentina

Site Visits: Victory Temples in Largo Argentina, Republican Lower Campus Martius, Tomb of Bibulus, the Capitoline Hill: Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Asylum, and Tabularium

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

Week 3:

Lecture: The Late Republic through Julius Caesar; Rome’s Population & Water; Society and Freedom

Meeting Place: The Tower in Largo Argentina

Site Visits: Theater of Pompey, Porte Maggiore and the Monument of Eurysaces

Readings: Stambaugh, Chapters Three and Six

Week 4:

Lecture: Architecture Walk; Roman Building Methods and Materials; The Triumphal Parade and Route

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

Site Visits: Forum Boarium, Theater of Marcellus, Porticus of Octavia, Excavations at Sant’Omobono, Circus Flaminius location, Fabricius’ Bridge, Tiber Island, and the Cloaca Maxima

Readings: Stambaugh, Chapter Seventeen, and Claridge, Glossary (pp. 39 – 62), and Section “Circus Flaminius to Circus Maximus “ (pp. 274 –

300), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits

Week 5:

NO CLASS

Week 6:

Lecture: Augustan Rome I; City Centers & City Planning; Roman Arts & Propaganda

Meeting Place: Roman Forum, entrance opposite the via Cavour

Site Visits: Forum Romanum, Forum of Julius Caesar, Forum of Augustus

Readings: Stambaugh, Chapters Four and Seven, and Claridge, Section “The Roman Forum” (pp. 62 – 103), and and individual entries as

appropriate for site visits

Week 7:

Lecture: Augustan Rome II; Roman Roads and Commemorative Monuments; Roman Arts & Patronage

Meeting Place: Outside the Auditorium of Maecenas, Largo Leopardi, 2

Site Visits: Auditorium of Maecenas, Augustus’ Horologium, the Ara Pacis & Claudian Altar, Augustus’ Mausoleum, via Flaminia, Column of Marcus Aurelius

Readings: Stambaugh, Chapter Eight, and Claridge, Sections “Field of Mars (pp. 197 – 258) and “Colosseum Valley and Esquiline Hill” (301 – 340), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits 

Week 8: MIDTERM EXAM at JCU (Location T.B.A.)

NO CLASS

Week 9:

Lecture: Rome of the Julio-Claudians and Flavians; Public Venues and Roman Housing 

Meeting Place: Outside the Metro B “Colosseo” stop

Site Visits: Colosseum, Ludus Magnus, Forum of Peace, Forum Transitorium, Arch of Titus, Palatine Hill (Domus Aurea, Domus Tiberiana, Palace of Domitian, House of Augustus, Hut of Romulus, Republic Mansions)

Readings: Stambaugh, Chapters Five and Ten, and Claridge, Sections “The Upper Via Sacra” and “The Palatine Hill” (pp. 104 – 159), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits 

Week 10:

Lecture: Rome of Trajan and Hadrian; Public Venues II

Meeting Place: In front of the Pantheon

Site Visits: Pantheon, Temple to the Deified Hadrian, Stadium of Domitian, Forum and Markets of Trajan, Temple of Venus and Roma

Readings: Stambaugh, Chapters Eleven and Twelve, and Claridge, Section “Imperial Forums” (pp. 160 – 196), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits

Week 11:

Lecture: Ostia Antica I; Homes, Religion and Entertainment

Meeting Place: Ticket booth at Ostia Antica at 9:15

Site Visits: Ostia Antica

Readings: Stambaugh, Chapter Eighteen, and www.ostia-antica.org for individual monuments

Week 12:

Lecture: Ostia Antica II; City and Commerce; Commercial Thoroughfares: The via Ostiensis and the Tiber River 

Meeting Place: Ticket booth at Ostia Antica at 9:15

Site Visits: Ostia Antica, Monte Testaccio (no inside visit), Riverfront Wharves, and the Navalia

Readings: Stambaugh, Chapter Nine, and www.ostia-antica.org for individual monuments

Week 13:

Lecture: Decline and Transformation: Rome from the Antonines through Constantine; End of Empire; Review for Final Exam

Meeting Place: Roman Forum, entrance opposite the via Cavour

Site Visits: Arch of Constantine, Arch of Septimius Severus, Basilica of Maxentius, Baths of Caracalla, Forma Urbis Romae

Readings: Claridge, Section “Caelian Hill and the Inner Via Appia” (pp. 341 – 371), and individual entries as appropriate for site visits

Week 14:

NO CLASS

Final Exam: T.B.A.