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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "SOSC/ITS 380"
COURSE NAME: "Researching Rome: Fieldwork in the City of Rome"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Isabella Clough Marinaro
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TH 2:15 PM 5:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites but it is strongly recommended that students have a background in contemporary Italian studies or anthropology/sociology/urban studies.
OFFICE HOURS: One hour before or after class and by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides structure and guidance to students who would like to do an independent fieldwork project in the city of Rome. As a unique global city, Rome’s contemporary social, economic and political realities provide a fascinating context for observing and analyzing the production of culture, social and political change, and practices of everyday life. This seminar-style course guides each student through the four main phases of their research project, helping them to: a) select a manageable and realistic case-study for their research, b) identify and interpret relevant theoretical and empirical literature, c) choose the most appropriate techniques of fieldwork observation, data collection and recording, and apply them in a rigorous, ethical and reflexive manner in the city of Rome, d) create a sophisticated written and visual report of their research findings and conclusions.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course is structured as an on-going discussion between the professor and students during which, together, they decide the most appropriate ways of carrying out each student’s chosen research project and  of interpreting and presenting the findings. Students are required to read widely on contemporary Rome and global cities more broadly and they are introduced to the main methods of doing urban research. They learn to hone their observation skills, keeping a diary of all their fieldwork sessions, and to actively consider the ethical issues surrounding ethnographic research. Students are introduced to methods and theories of visual sociology and non-participant observation, enabling non-Italian speakers to study Rome’s social environment. They will participate in a variety of fieldwork observation activities with the professor in selected neighborhoods of Rome. Where linguistic skills permit, students are also trained in carrying out interviews and surveys in the field. Students will write a 10-15 page research report explaining the rationale, methods, results and conclusions of the project. They will also present their findings visually in the form of a photographic exhibition, a video documentary or a powerpoint presentation.

Students will present their final projects to the JCU community during the last week of the semester.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

· Identify a key feature of contemporary social, economic or political dynamics in Rome and contextualize it within broader scholarship in    Italian studies and urban studies.

· Demonstrate knowledge of the main methods for carrying out fieldwork observation in an urban context and select the most appropriate for researching their topic.

· Construct an ethically rigorous research project.

· Organize their research time in an independent and disciplined way.

· Carry out their fieldwork observation in a systematic manner, identifying any problems and solving them in dialogue with the professor.

· Question, discuss and analyze their findings, incorporating feedback from class discussions into their final report.

· Present their findings in a clear and engaging manner to a large audience.

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The City Cultures Reader Borden, Iain, Tim Hall and Malcolm Miles (Eds) 2003 Routledge 0415302455   
The City ReaderLe Gates, Richard T. and Frederic Stout (Eds) (2011) Routledge 0415556651  
The New Urban Sociology Gottdiener, Mark and Hutchison, Ray (2010) Westview Press Inc0813344255  
Ethnography and the City: Readings on Doing Urban Fieldwork Ocejo, Richard (2012) Routledge0415808375  
Anthropology in the City: Methodology and Theory Pardo, Italo and Giuliana Prato (Eds) (2012) Ashgate1409408337  
Researching the City Ward, Kevin (2013)Sage 1446202119  
Rome Agnew, John A. (1994)John Wiley and Sons 0471948861  
Whispering City: Rome and its Histories Bosworth, Richard. J. B. (2011)Yale University Press0300114710  
Rome: Continuing Encounters between Past and Present Caldwell, Dorigen and Lesley Caldwell (Eds) (2011) Ashgate140941762X  
Evicted from Eternity. The Restructuring of Modern Rome Herzfeld, Michael (2009) University of Chicago Press 0226329127  
Global Rome: Changing Faces of the Eternal City Clough Marinaro, Isabella and Bjorn Thomassen (Eds) (2014)Indiana University Press 0253012953  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Summary of relevant theories and secondary materials 1,000-1,500 word essay outlining the main theories to be used in the research project and a summary of secondary materials that will be used in answering the research question.(15%)
Field journalStudents keep a detailed diary of their fieldwork sessions and will also be assessed on the progress, detail and sophistication of their fieldwork observation written up in their diary.(15%)
Participation in seminar discussions Students' participation in class discussions, their ability to outline and justify their research choices and refine them based on feedback are graded based on their engagement and responsiveness in class sessions. (10%)
Preliminary findings presentation Students give a 10-minute oral presentation explaining their preliminary findings and explaining how their research strategy will evolve.(10%)
Final visual presentation Students present their findings visually in the form of a photographic exhibition, a 10-minute video documentary or a powerpoint presentation.(20%)
Final report Students write a 10-15 page research report explaining the rationale, methods, results and conclusions of the project. Students may opt to do their research project in groups, ideally made up of Italian and non-Italian speakers , with the prior consent of the professor. They must divide their fieldwork tasks and responsibilities equally. They must write individual field diaries and must make it clear which elements of the presentations and final report they are responsible for, so that each student can be graded individually.(20%)
Research Method PlanStudents hand in a 2-page outline (in bullet points) of their realistic and manageable fieldwork research plan, including observation and/or interview methods and schedule of research.(10%)

-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 cou
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. Letter grades and corresponding percentages for this class 94 – 100 points = A 90 – 93.99 pts = A- 87 – 89.99 = B+ 83 – 86.99 = B 80 – 82.99 = B- 77 – 79.99 = C+ 70 – 76.99 = C 60 – 69.99 = D 59.99 – 0 = F

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is mandatory for every class. More than one absence will result in the student's grade being lowered.
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


SCHEDULE


Session

Session Focus

Reading Assignment

Other Assignment

Week 1

4 Sept

 

In class

Studying the City: Space and Place. Introduction to doing fieldwork in the city.

Identify potential case-studies for research  

Introduction to Cities : How Place and Space Shape Human Experience

.

Chapter 1

(Read online:

ebook through EBL)

Students begin selecting research area/focus

Week 2

11 Sept

 

In class

Lecture: Rome’s Urban and Social Development 

Global Rome: Changing Faces of the Eternal City

Introduction

(Handout/Book on reserve)

Students narrow down research focus

Week 2 B

12 Sept

Optional

Neighborhood walk: Esquilino and Monti

 

 

Week 3

18 Sept

 

 

In class

Lecture: Theories of the City.

Introduction to Cities : How Place and Space Shape Human Experience

.

Chapters 2&3

(Read online:

ebook through EBL)

Students identify narrow research topic/question. Start reading appropriate theoretical and secondary materials

Week 4

25 Sept

 

In class and library

Lecture and discussion on ethnographic research methods.

Library Session

DEADLINE: Students declare  narrow and manageable research topic/question                            

Introduction to Cities : How Place and Space Shape Human Experience

.

Chapter 4

(Read online:

ebook through EBL)

Students write an 8 page summary of the relevant secondary literature on their chosen topic, to be handed in in Week 6

Week 5

2 Oct

 

In class

Lecture and discussion on ethnographic research methods.

Anthropology in the City : Methodology and Theory Chapter 7

(Read online:

ebook through EBL)

 

 

As above

Week 6

9 Oct

 

In class

Class discussion on chosen research methods. Decide schedule for fieldwork.

DEADLINE: Students hand in 8-page literature summary

 

Students write brief research plan justifying their chosen methods of observation, to be handed in in Week 7

Week 6B

10 Oct

Optional

Neighborhood walk: Testaccio

 

 

Week 7

16 Oct

 

On-site

Observation class on-site: Corviale

Studying urban poverty and inequality.

DEADLINE: Students hand in research method plan

Stupendous, Miserable City : Pasolini’s Rome, Chapter 1

(Read online:

ebook through EBL)

 

Week 8

23 Oct

 

Individual

meetings

Students begin fieldwork research. Individual meetings with professor.

 

Students begin fieldwork journal

Week 9

30 Oct

 

On-site

Observation class on-site: Mandrione and Tor Pignattara

Studying ethnic neighborhoods

Global Rome: Changing Faces of the Eternal City

Introduction Chapter 5

(Handout/Book on reserve)

Students continue fieldwork research and journal

Week 10

6 Nov

 

Individual

meetings

Students complete fieldwork research. Individual meetings with professor.

 

Students continue journal and prepare oral presentation on their findings and preliminary analysis.

Week 11

13 Nov

 

In class

DEADLINE: Students do oral presentation on their findings and preliminary analysis. Receive feedback and decide outline of written/visual report.

 

Students complete any outstanding fieldwork research following class feedback

Week 12

20 Nov

 

On-site and in class

Observation class on-site: Jewish Quarter. Studying segregation and gentrification.  

Class discussion on writing up findings, integrating theory, methodology and results.

 

Students work on writing up full research project

Week 13

27 Nov

 

Individual meetings

NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING

MAKE-UP DATE TBA

Individual meetings with students on development of research report

 

Students prepare oral presentations on full research project

Week 14

4 Dec

 

In class

DEADLINE: Students orally present their final project

 

Students use feedback on oral presentations to finalize written project

Exams Week

Participate in Social Sciences poster session

DEADLINE: Students hand in written version of final project and fieldwork journals