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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 290-4"
COURSE NAME: "Ancient Rome and Its Monuments"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Elisabeth Fuhrmann-Schembri
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: T 9:15 AM 12:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; activity fee: €40 or $52
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment (cell +39 329 326 7915)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The goal of the course is to provide an in-depth familiarity and appreciation of the multifaceted nature of Roman art and architecture in its original historical context
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is intended to offer students an introduction to the city of Rome that is architectural, artistic,
and topographic in nature. In our study of Ancient Rome, we will focus on the urban development of the
city and embellishment of the city fabric from its foundations through the Republican, Imperial and Early
Christian periods. As Rome's modern urban fabric is profoundly affected by the events of the ancient
period, this course is also intended as a tool for facilitating understanding of the city in which we
currently reside. Therefore, students are encouraged to exploit the advantage of studying in Rome and
to consider the city and its museums as a laboratory for study. Additionally the visit to Ostia Antica
will provide with a deeper insight of the daily life and functioning of Rome's seaport. Explanation of the
different methodologies of research will supply the student with the necessary instruments for their future
individual studies not only on antiquitiy, art history and architecture
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students become familiar with different methods of art historical analysis and acquire the skills for the critical analysis of visual culture in its original historical context
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
JCU reader Ancient RomeJCUart history departmentxxx     
Rome and its Environs: an archaeological guideFilippo CoarelliUniversity of California978-0-520-07961-8     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
check booklist distributed in class  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
check booklistdistributedin class  
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
 The grade of the course will be calculated as follows: 
oral report8-10 minute presentation (accurate description and contextual interpretation) accompanied by a one-page handout to the class on a monument chosen from a list distributed in class.10 points
midterm examconsists of identification of visual material, short questions and longer essay questions. Study guide will be distributed in class.20 points
final examsee above30 points
research paper10-12 pages: combination of topographic description of a certain area of the Ancient city of Rome and research on a single art object; includes a complete bibliography and uses an adequate system of quotations. Detailed instructions will be distributed in class.25 points
visual analysissketch and accurate description of a work of art or monument presented during class10 points
class participationevaluates the quality of your participation5 points

-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. A 96-100 % A- 90-95%
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. B+ 87-89% B 84-86% B- 80-83%
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. C+ 77-79% C 74-76% C- 70-73%
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. D 60-69%
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. F 0-59%

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
course relies on student participation in class and on-site lectures and discussions. Therefore, promptness and
attendance are mandatory, and students are highly recommended to complete the readings before each lesson - in
order to be prepared to answer and to ask thoughtful questions - as well as to review material covered in class on a
regular basis. Students are responsible on the midterm and final exams for all material including images covered in the
readings and handouts. Unexcused or excessive absences will result in the lowering of the final class grade.
Please refer to JCU's Catalog for a statement regarding absence and grading policies!

NO VISITORS are allowed to class (epecially for legal but also technical reasons)!
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

SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates
week 1) Sep 2Course Syllabus and Procedures. Introduction to Roman Art and Architecture. On-site: Tiber and Tiber Island. Coarelli 1-11(Introduction) Claridge 1-11, 31-59,226-28(Tiber Island),394-397; Ramage introd.; MP: JCU, guarini campus, study room at 9:15 (check info board, though!!) for introd.; then we go on-site!!
week 2) Sep 9From Romulus to Caesar: Early and Republican Rome, Capitoline Hill and Museums. Coarelli 29-43 (Capitoline), 43-47 (Roman Forum: Historical notes)Ramage ch.2; Claridge 6-11, 60-74 (Roman Forum), Capitoline: 229-231, 231-240 MP: Piazza del Campidoglio (Capitoline), in front of ticket office to Museum
week 3) Sep 16Etruscan Art and CultureRamage ch.1; Rasmussen 13-25 in: Henig, ch.1 (Early Roman Art) Claridge 394-397; Spivey, Etruscan Art MP: Obelisk in Piazza del Popolo (class moves together to the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia)
week 4) Sep 23From Roman Republic to EmpireCoarelli 261-285 (Campus Martius I), 307-321 (Forum Holitorium and Forum Boarium) Claridge 177-180 (introd. Field of Mars), 214-228, 243-247; Strong ch.2 & 3 MP: Largo Argentina, in front of Feltrinelli bookstore
week 5) Sep 30Augustus and the Imperial Idea: Political Propaganda in the Field of MarsCoarelli 285-291, 299-304 (Augustan Campus Martius); Zanker, P., Power of Images, 33-43. 118-125, 143-162, 172-183, 335-339; Ramage ch.3 & 4; Galinsky ch.4; Strong ch.4 & 5; Claridge 11-18, Field of Mars: introd. and Augustan monuments (Mausoleum, Altar of Peace, Sundial, early Pantheon). MP: Museum of Ara Pacis, Lungotevere in Augusta (corner Via Tomacelli); near Ponte Cavour
week 6) Oct 7MIDTERM EXAM  MP: JCU G.K.1.1. at 9:15 (check info board, though!)
week 7) Oct 14Imperial Residences on the Palatine and the Development of the Colosseum Valley. Roman Forum from late Republican to early Imperial. Coarelli 131-157 (Palatine), 159-172 (Colosseum etc.), 177-190 (Oppian Hill), 47-57, 63-81, 97-98 (Roman Forum). Ramage ch.5 Claridge 16-17, 116-145, 267-284, 290-93 (Nero's Golden House); Strong ch.6 MP: entrance to Forum Romanum, Via dei Fori Imperiali (half way between Colosseum and Piazza Venezia)
week 8) Oct 21 !! longer class !! Ostia Antica, the Port or Rome. Fieldtrip. Coarelli 451-476; Stambaugh ch.18 www.ostia-org; Hermansen; Meiggs MP: 9:15 outside train station of Ostia Antica !! Take Lido train from Piazzale Ostiense at 8:40!! (bring snacks)
week 9) Oct 28Trajan and the Imperial Fora, Column and Markets. Coarelli 102-128 (Imperial Fora) Ramage ch.6 (Trajan); Claridge 11-18, 146-173; Strong ch.7 MP: entrance to Roman Forum, Via dei Fori Imperiali (half way between Colosseum and Piazza Venezia)
week 10) Nov 4The Field of Mars and the High Empire. !! VISUAL ANALYSIS done during class !! Coarelli 261-266, 286-298 (central Campus Martius) Ramage ch.7 & 8; Claridge 17-20, 177-228(Field of Mars), 369-373 (Mausoleum of Hadrian); MacDonald, Pantheon; Strong ch. 8 & 9 MP: in front of Pantheon
week 11) Nov 11The Centre in the Later Empire and the Baths of CarcallaCoarelli 43-47, 57-63, 81-97, 98-101 (Roman Forum high and late imperial), 11-27 (City Walls)), 326-331 (Baths of Caracalla), 365-367 (Via Appia) Ramage ch. 9 -12; Claridge 20-27, 70, 75-76, 83, 109-111, 115, 272-276, 284-288, 332-335 (Aurelianic Walls), 346-350; Strong ch. 10-14; MP: entrance to Roman Forum, Via dei Fori Imperiali (half way between Colosseum and Piazza Venezia)
week 12) Nov 18Embellishing the City: Roman Painting and Sculpture in the Palazzo Massimo; and Baths of Diocletian. !! DUE: PAPER !! Coarelli 247-252 (Castra Praetoria nad Baths of Diocletian); La Regina, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, 9-13, 23-34, 40-42, 47-48, 87-92, 94-101, 166-7 (portraiture), 51-57 (painted frieze), 59-62 (Altar and Augustus), 121 124, 129, 130, 132, 136, 144 (sculpture), 180-206 (mosaics), 208-335 (wall paintings), 254-258 (marble intarsio). Claridge 352-354 (Baths of Diocletian); Portraiture: review Ramage 42-45, 77-81, 107-112, 138-141 and Strong 38, 44-47, 84-88; Wall paintings and Mosaics: review Ramage 82-95, 123-131, 152 and Strong 63-74, 94-104. MP: Piazza Repubblica, in front of Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli
week 13) Nov 25Constantine the Great: from Pagan to Christian Coarelli 159-163 (Arch of Constantine), 172-175 (San Clemente), 213-223 (Caelian Hill), 224-227 (Lateran),  MP: Arch of Constantine
week 14) Dec 2Masterpieces of the Centrale Montemartini Museum reflecting Roman Civilization ... and ... Review of our semester! TBA;Prepare course material following the study guide!MP: Centrale Montemartini, Via Ostiense 106
week 15)FINAL EXAM  MP: JCU day, time and class TBA