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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CL/HS 231-1"
COURSE NAME: "History of Ancient Rome and Italy"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Benedetta Bessi
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The objectives of this course are to explore and  understand the history of ancient Rome from its earliest times (9th-8th c. BCE)down to the decline and end of the Western Roman Empire (5th c. CE).
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
 This course surveys the history of ancient Rome and Italy. Focus will be on the main lines of the development of Rome from its archaic foundation as an Italic-Latinate kingship down to the age of Constantine. The course will examine the establishment, expansion, and conflicts of the Roman Republic and the political and cultural evolution of the Augustan ‘Principate’ to the rise of the Empire. Readings (in translation) will include the writings of Livy,Cicero, Caesar, Tacitus, Suetonius and other ancient authors, with some consideration of Roman culture, society and religion.
A field trip to a museum/exhibition relavant to the course topic  will be organized in the course of the semester (cost around 10 euros to be paid by the student).
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course, students will have learned of the methods, means, and justifications by which the Roman city-state expanded into a politically and militarily strong, ethnically diverse and geographically complex empire as well as the reasons for its eventual collapse.

Key Skills Taught: Critical analysis of sources - Clearer writing ability - More lucid oral expression - Greater facility in working independently and in team
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
on site report a personal and engaged report on an archaeological monument of choice (1200 words)10%
research paper a formal research paper on a topic of social or cultural history (3000 words, notes and bibliography in Chicago style)25%
midterm exam in class exam with short answers and essay question25%
final exam non cumulative final exam 30%
attendance and class participation 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 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 is mandatory and it will be taken at the beginning of each session. More than 2 unexcused absences will result in the lowering of the grade (A to A-; A-to B+ etc.).
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
  

Course Outline                                                                                                                                                                  

 

                               Theme                                                                                                Assignment

Week 1                                                                                                               

  Jan 19  Introductions                                                                                        Familiarize with MYJCU and library resources                                                               

 Jan 21  Italy before the Romans                                                                          Ch 1

                              

Week 2

Jan 26 Italy before the Romans                                                                 Ch 1

Jan 28 The formation of Rome                                                                  Ch 2

                                                                                                                            

Week 3

 Feb 2     The origins of Rome between history and legend                    Livy, Book1 (online)

 Feb 4     The young republic                                                                   Ch 3

Week  4                

 Feb 9   War and conquest in the early republic                                             Ch 4

  Feb 11  The Punic wars                                                                                Ch 4                   


Week 5            

Feb 16   The consequences of conquest: the Gracchi brothers                         Ch 5 onsite report due             

Feb 18   The rise of personal ambitions: Marius and Sulla                                Ch 6 (only up to p. 136)

                                              

Week 6

Feb 23 Slavery and the slave wars         

Feb 25 Julius Caesar and the fall of the republic                                                  Ch. 6

 

Week 7

 Mar 2 midterm  review

 Mar 4 midterm exam                                                            

 

Week 8

Mar 9 The rise of Octavian and the beginning of the empire                                    Ch 7

Mar 11 Augustus and the organization of the empire                                                Ch 8

  

Week 9

Mar 16 no class

Mar 18 no class

Week 10

Mar 23 The Julio-Claudian dynasty                                                         Ch 9                                                                

Mar 25 The Flavians                                                                              Ch 10 



Week 11

Mar 30 Nerva, Trajan and Hadrian                                                   Ch 11  

Apr 1 The Antonines                                                                      Ch 11


Week 12

Apr 13 Septimius Severus and the Severans                                   Ch 12

Apr 15 The third century crisis                                                  Ch. 13                              

                                                                                                                                                            

Week 13

 Apr 20 Diocletian and his reforms                                               Ch  15  

 Apr 22 Constantine and the legalization of Christianity               Ch 15

 

Week 14

Apr 27 The end of the Roman world                                           Ch 19 (only from par 19.3)

Apr 29 Review session

 

Final exam date TBA