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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 291"
COURSE NAME: "Medieval Rome and Its Monuments"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Lila Yawn
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: T9:15 AM 12:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
COURSE AIMS: 
In AH291 students acquire a first-hand knowledge of the art and architecture of Rome in the period between 250 and 1350, i.e. between the rise of Christianity as a major cultural force in the city and the turbulent fourteenth century, when Rome was wracked by the Avignon papacy and the bubonic plague.  Through direct group and individual explorations of monuments in Rome, lectures, readings, and two examinations, students in the course practice basic art-historical methods, especially iconographic and functional analysis; learn about materials and media; imaginatively reconstruct a selected Roman monument (e.g. St. Peter's Basilica) as it existed at a particular moment in late antiquity or the Middle Ages; and become conversant with Rome's late ancient and medieval history and topography and the dramatic changes that the city underwent during the thousand-year 'Age in the Middle'.
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 essay10
Final examinationWritten, in-classroom, closed-book exam, consisting of monument identifications and essays30
Weekly quizzes (12 total)A brief quiz on factual material will be administered at the start of each class meeting covering study material posted to the class folder and required readings. Although the format of the quizzes will vary, two constants will be: (a) major events in Roman history and their dates; (b) image identifications. For each image posted to the class folder, come prepared to specify the work’s title, location, date, medium, period, and author (if the name has survived). Term definitions, or definitions in need of a term (spelled correctly) may also appear. Weight: 2% each for top ten scores; lowest two scores dropped.20
Research projectOver the course of the term, you will be responsible for researching and producing a multi-media research project, either individually or in a group, focusing on a major monumental area of Rome as it appeared and functioned at the time of a significant event (e.g. sack, council, coronation) during Late Antiquity or the Middle Ages. The project will consist of a preliminary bibliography (citations only); a final bibliography with summaries of content; an outline; an image database; documentation of first-hand visits to pertinent monuments and museums (any required museum or site entrances are at the student’s expense); and a substantial final paper or other form of presentation, to be decided upon in consultation with the professor, group, and class. Further information about the project and its requirements will be distributed during the second week of the term.30
ProfessionalismClass participation, obvious preparation, outside reading, attendance, collegiality, facilitation of positive class dynamic10

-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.

Theme

Monuments & museums (principal)

Preparatory readings

Quizzes, exams, assignments due

 

 

 

Primary (period) sources

Secondary (modern scholarly) sources

 

1

Shape of the course; library resources; medium, style iconography

Aurelian Wall; Synagogue of Vicolo dell'Atleta; Santa Cecilia in Trastevere

 

 

 

2

The Ancient Roman State Religion & its visual codes

Capitoline Museums + Roman Forum (from above)

J. Shelton, As the Romans Did (JCU Library reserves HN10.R7 S45), pp. 359-91.

Study Course Syllabus!

Quiz 1

3

Mystery religions and the earliest Christian art; Illusion and reality

Roman National Museum: Museo delle Terme; time allowing, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme

J. Shelton, As the Romans Did (JCU Library reserves HN10.R7 S45), 391-420; Bible:  Genesis, Ch. 5-9 (Noah story); Gospel of John, Ch. 10: 1-21 (Parable of the Good Shepherd): http://www.drbo.org

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).

Quiz 2;  Projects:  Email topic choices/ groups, with email addresses, to professor by 5 pm, Thursday, February 5th

4

Imperial Christian architecture & art

Lateran Baptistery & Basilica

Eusebius on the Conversion of Constantine:  <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/conv-const.asp>; Bible, 1 Kings 7 (on Solomon's projects) and Psalm 42 (on deer and waters): http://www.drbo.org

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).

Quiz 3

5

Old St. Peter's Basilica + library lesson

Lectures in G.K.1.2 and in JCU Library lab

 Davis-Weyer, Early Medieval Art (JCU Library  Reserves N5975 .D3), pp. 11-15, 17-23, 25-33.

Kessler & Zacharias, Rome 1300: On the Path of the Pilgrim (JCU Library Reserves N7952.R6 K48), Ch. 6, pp. 182-218.

Quiz 4

6

Early Christian funerary and martyrial architecture

Via Nomentana funerary complex:  catacomb; Mausoleum of Constantia;  coemeterium subteglatum; and martyrial church of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura

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

Krautheimer, Rome: Profile, Ch. 2; OR Snyder, Medieval Art, Ch. 3 (pp. 40-65); OR Stokstad, Medieval Art, Ch. 2, pp. 36-48).

Quiz 5; Project:  bibliography (citations) due in group dropbox folder by Thursday, February 26th, 5 pm

7

Churches & mosaics in the age of the Visigothic Sack

Santa Pudenziana; Santa Maria Maggiore

Bible: Ezekiel Ch. 1, and Revelation (entire), esp. Ch. 4: http://www.drbo.org; Procopius on the Visigothic Sack of Rome in 410: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/410alaric.asp

T. Mathews, The Clash of Gods (JCU Library Reserves N7832 .M36), Ch. 4, pp. 92-114.

Quiz 6

8

Churches & mosaics in the age of the Visigothic Sack; the Migrations

Santa Sabina; Museo dell'Alto Medioevo, EUR,  Please visit on your own:  Museo della Crypta Balbi

Bible: Luke Chs. 21-24; Acts Chs. 11 & 15: http://www.drbo.org

Krautheimer, Rome: Profile, Chs. 2-3

Quiz 7; Project:  Bibliography with sources summaries & outline due in group dropbox folder, Thursday March 12th, 5 pm

9

The Gothic War and the Byzantine period

Santi Cosma e Damiano; Santa Prassede

Procopius on the Plague of 542:  http://legacy.fordham.edu/halsall/source/542procopius-plague.asp; Donation of Constantine:  http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/source/donatconst.asp

Krautheimer, Rome: Profile, Chs. 3-5. Optional but highly reccomended: H. Belting, Likeness and Presence (JCU Library Reserves N7850 .B4513), pp. 49-73.

Midterm home essay due in personal dropbox folder Thursday, March 19th, 5 pm

10

Papal-Imperial Conflict and the Schism of 1080-1100

San Clemente

Letter of King Henry IV of Germany to Pope Gregory VII (1076):  http://legacy.fordham.edu/halsall/source/henry4-to-g7a.asp

Yawn, "Clement's New Clothes" in MyJCU

Quiz 9;  Project:  image databank (PowerPoint) due in group dropbox folder by Thursday, March 26th, 5pm

11

The Anacletine Schism (1130-1138); Pietro Cavallini (circa 1290)

San Crisogono; San Benedetto in Piscinula; Santa Maria in Trastevere 

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.

Krautheimer, Rome: Profile, Ch. 7

Quiz 10

12

The Early Ducento

Santi Quattro Coronati; Trinitarian Mosaic; Santi Giovanni e Paolo. Flashbacks:   Santo Stefano Rotondo; Santa Maria in Domnica

Bible: Acts 7:54-60 http://www.drbo.org ; Review Donation of Constantine:  http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/source/donatconst.asp; Recommended:  Thomas of Celano, First Life of St. Francis of Assisi (c. 1228): http://www.indiana.edu/~dmdhist/francis.htm

Krautheimer, Rome: Profile, Ch. 8

Quiz 11

13

The Lateran Palace in the Ducento

Sancta Sanctorum Chapel; Lateran apse & cloister

Jacobus de Voragine (1275), The Golden Legend, Life of St. Nicholas: http://legacy.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/goldenlegend/GL-vol2-nicholas.asp; Bible: Exodus, Chs. 36-49 (on the Tabernacle in the Desert); and 1 Kings 6 (on Solomon's Temple): http://www.drbo.org ;

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.

Quiz 12; Research paper due in group dropbox folder by Thursday, April 23rd, 5pm

14

The Late Duecento and the Avignon Papacy

Santa Maria Maggiore: apse, façade, prasepio; Santa Maria in Aracoeli

Benedict the Canon, Mirabilia urbis Romae (The Marvels of Rome) (JCU Library Reserves DG805 .M57), pp. 17-23, 28-30, 38-39

L. Yawn, "Fields of Dreams" (in MyJCU).  Optional:  Krautheimer, Ch. 14; Optional but fascinating:  R. Musto, Apocalypse in Rome, pp. 1-4, 104-129

 

FINAL EXAM WEEK:  EXAM PERIOD TBA by the JCU ADMINISTRATION