Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 290-3"
COURSE NAME: "Ancient Rome and Its Monuments"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2015

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Lila Yawn
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TH9:15 AM 12:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; activity fee: €40 or $52
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Rome City Series - This on-site course considers the art and architecture of ancient Rome through visits to museums and archaeological sites. The course covers the visual culture and architecture of Rome beginning with the Iron Age and ending with the time of Constantine. A broad variety of issues are raised, including patronage, style and iconography, artistic and architectural techniques, Roman religion, business and entertainment. STUDENTS SHOULD NOT REGISTER FOR BOTH AH190 and AH290.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This section of AH290 focuses on art and architecture as evidence for daily life in ancient Rome. Through the direct study of archeological sites, buildings, sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and other objects, accompanied by directed readings of ancient sources in translation, the course assists students in cultivating a vivid vision of ancient Rome and the lives of its inhabitants—their material surroundings, social ogarnization, work lives, religious practices, and leisure activities. All class meetings, except for those for the midterm and final examinations, take place at archaeological sites and museums in or near Rome.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

In this course students will learn to:

Describe the basic chronology and topography of monumental and visual culture in ancient Rome, citing, dating, and analyzing specific examples.
Discern how ancient Romans worked, governed, practiced their religion, communicated, educated their children, procured the necessities of life, and entertained themselves, and how those practices shaped and were shaped by the material-monumental environment.
Analyze primary sources -- ancient Roman texts, monuments, imagery, objects -- with a critical eye.
Apply methods of art-historical analysis, with special attention to art and artefacts as evidence for social history.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number
Rome and Its Environs	Coarelli, Filippo	University of California Press	9780520282094
As the Romans Did: A Sourcebook in Roman Social History	Shelton, Jo-Ann	Oxford University Press	9780195089745
JCU Coursepack for AH290	JCU	JCU	n/a

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Research project	Components: Phase 1 = Preliminary bibliography - minimum of 7 peer-reviewed scholarly sources and 1 primary (ancient Roman) source outside of textbook. Each source must be listed in a full bibliographic citation followed by a one concise summary (150-300 words) of content. Note that this is not an annotated bibliography but rather a bibliography with summaries of content. Each summary should be rich enough in real content to serve as an effective, concise substitute for reading the source itself. Phase 2: final narrative paper of 2000 words (about 8 double-spaced pages) of text; the minimum word/page count does not include footnotes, captions, or illustrations). Further instructions will be provided at the beginning of the course.	30
Final examination	Written, in-classroom, closed-book exam made up of some combination of monument identifications, short-answer questions, essays.	30
Professionalism	Preparation; punctuality; collegiality; clear and constant engagement during class meetings; well-informed and throughtful contributions to class discussions and group problem-solving; voluntary independent visits to pertinent monuments; contributions to the intellectual life of the class over and above the basic course requirements.	15
Weekly quizzes (12 total)	A brief quiz on factual material will be administered at the start of ten class meetings covering study material posted to the class folder and required readings. The content of the quizzes is summarized in the spreadsheet of class meetings. Although the format of the quizzes will vary, two constants will be: (a) major events in Roman history and their dates; (b) information about Roman society from Shelton; (c) image identifications (title, location, date, medium). The two lowest quiz scores are automatically dropped; three are dropped in the case of students who attend every class meeting in full.	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 cour
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 at all class meetings is mandatory.

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

No	Mo	Day	Meeting Point	Themes	Monuments	Preparatory readings	Activities and assignments
1	9	3	JCU, Guarini Campus, G.K.1.2	Review of syllabus; Introduction to Roman Social History and Topography	Aurelian Wall; Tiber Island, Pons Fabricius, Palazzo Mattei (for the ancient sculpture fragments)		Acquire text books and course pack. Remember to bring the course pack to every class meeting.
2	9	10	Piazza del Popolo, at the Egyptian obelisk	Early Roman History & Topography; Social Structure & Patriarchy	Etruscan National Museum of Villa Giulia & Ancient Villa of the Parco della Musica	Readings for Quiz 1: CLARIDGE, pp. 4-10, 477-481, 494; SHELTON, INTRODUCTION (pp. 1-3), CH. 1: THE STRUCTURE OF ROMAN SOCIETY (pp. 4-8, 11-15); FAMILIES: FATHERS (pp. 16-20); AGRICULTURE (pp. 148-150). Optional: COARELLI, pp. 1-5.	QUIZ 1, which will focus on: EARLY ROMAN HISTORY: & TOPOGRAPHY How and where was Rome founded? What were the main natural features of the territory? What events and other factors conditioned the city's development between the 8th and 6th cents. BC? THE ROMAN IDEAL: What was it? How was it communicated? CLASS STRUCTURE & PATRIARCHY: What were the different levels in ancient Roman society? What determined a person's social level? How did the system change over time? In what senses was Roman society patriarchal?
3	9	17	Capitoline Square (Piazza del Campidoglio), at the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. NB class will end at 10:30	The Roman State Religion; materials; stylistic modes and change in figurative art, Capitoline Hill	Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus and the collections of the Capitoline Museums	Readings for Quiz 2: SHELTON: RELIGION, through section on RITUAL (pp. 359-384); PLUS CLARIDGE, pp. 259-273 OR COARELLI, pp. 28-41. Optional but recommended: CLARIDGE, pp. 460-468.	QUIZ 2, which will focus on: THE ROMAN STATE RELIGION: What were its main beliefs and practices? How did it differ from modern religions? CAPITOLINE HILL: What were the hill's chief areas and monuments? What were their main functions (i.e. how were they used)? Be able to identify the buildings indicated in the ground plans and drawings on Coarelli, pp. 28, 33, and 37 (or equivalents in Claridge) and pertinent monuments in coursepack.
4	9	24	Capitoline Square (Piazza del Campidoglio), at the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius	Research projects: funerary inscriptions as evidence for the lives of ordinary Romans	Funerary monuments in the Capitoline Museums Epigraphic Gallery	DESCRIPTION & RESEARCH PROJECT - introduction & information-gathering session. To prepare, read with care: SHELTON, CH. 8: SLAVES, & CH. 9: FREEDMEN AND FREEDWOMEN	BEGIN DESCRIPTION & RESEARCH PROJECT: choose one of the allowed funerary monuments in the Capitoline Museums. Summary of project: Describe the object in detail, and write a fully footnoted research paper (2000 words of text) in which you attempt to imagine, based on scholarly research, the likely life (social class, activities, living environments, etc.) of the person the object commemorates. What biographical details can be extracted from the object itself? What else can be hypothesized about the deceased's life experiences based on the period and social category to which he or she belonged? Further instructions will be distributed.
5a	9	25	Guarini campus front door 9:15. NB: class will meet from 9:15 to 12:00	Antiquities in Trastevere; resources for research on Roman social history and funerary inscriptions	Antiquities in Trastevere; Books, articles, and databases.	Review and organize your notes and thoughts from class meeting 4. What would you most like to know about the person commemorated in your inscription?	Begin research projects: compile bibliography on your category of Roman person, the kind of life that person lived, etc. Review footnote-writing skills and formats.
6	10	1	Entrance to the Roman Forum in Via dei Fori Imperiali, across the street from the intersection with Via Cavour. NB: This is not quite half way between Piazza di Venezia and the Colosseum on the right side of the street if you are walking toward the Colosseum from Piazza di Venezia.	Roman Government & State Religion (cont.); the Roman Forum	Forum Romanum: Comitium, Curia, Temple of Saturn, Rostra, Basilica Iulia, Temple of the Castors, Temple of Divus Iulius, Temple of Vesta, House of the Vestal Virgins, and Via Sacra	Readings for Quiz 3: SHELTON, CH. 10: GOVERNMENT & POLITICS (entire) and CH. 15, sections on "Officers of the State Religion" and "Deification," pp. 384-388; PLUS COARELLI on the Roman Forum, pp. 42-101, esp. pp. 42-89, OR CLARIDGE on the Roman Forum pp. 62-113	QUIZ 3, which will focus on: GOVERNMENT & PRIESTHOODS: What were the three successive governmental systems in ancient Rome (for help see Shelton, pp. 453-456)? When were they in effect? (Know the dates.) What were the main political offices and bodies and how were people chosen for them? What were the main priesthoods? What roles did they play in government? DEIFICATION: What did it mean to the deified? When did the practice begin? THE ROMAN FORUM: What were the principal areas and monuments? What did they look like? What were their individual functions? When and how did they develop down to the time of Julius Caesar (assassinated in 44 BC)? Study especially the: Comitium, Curia, Temple of Saturn, Rostra, Basilica Iulia, Temple of the Castors, Temple of Divus Iulius, Temple of Vesta, House of the Vestal Virgins, and Via Sacra. Be able to locate those monuments on a ground plan of the forum and to identify them from the other drawings in Coarelli and Claridge.
7	10	8	Front entrance of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, Piazza della Repubblica	Bathing; Houses; Burial; Personal and Mystery Religions	Museo Nazionale Romano di Palazzo Massimo alle Terme	Readings for Quiz 4: CLARIDGE, "Civil Wars" to "The Later Third Century," and "Interior Decoration" pp. 10-24, 51-52; SHELTON, CH. 4: HOUSING AND CITY LIFE, "Single-Family Houses in the City" (pp. 59-top of 63 - pay special attention to the footnotes on pp. 61-62) and "Housing in Rural Areas" (pp. 71-78); and APPENDIX II: ROMAN MONEY (p. 452). See also the online study guide, with images.	QUIZ 4, which will focus on: ROMAN POLITICAL HISTORY; What were the major political changes and phases in Rome between 90 BC and AD 300?; ; ELITE HOUSING: In what sorts of buildings did upper-class Romans live? Were there separate spaces for different activities? If so, what did the Romans call those spaces (See footnotes on Shelton, pp. 61-62; know the terms)? What characterizes the four main Roman painting styles, and when was each style in fashion? MONUMENTS: Be able to identify and date the following monuments from photographs (see image file in MyJCU): the Garden Room from the Villa of Livia at Prima Porta; paintings from the Columbarium of Villa Pamphilj; paintings from the ancient Roman Villa of the Villa Farnesina in Trastevere
8	10	15	Front steps of the Ara Pacis, at the fountain, Lungotevere in Augusto, near Piazza Augusta Imperatore	Augustan Rome & the Imperial Cult	Mausoleum of Augustus; Ara Pacis Augustae; Column of Marcus Aurelius	Readings for Quiz 5: CLARIDGE: "Rome's Building Materials" pp. 39-51; PLUS CLARIDGE "Field of Mars," pp. 196-221 OR COARELLI, CAMPUS MARTIUS - "Historical Notes" (pp. 261-266), "The Northern Campus Martius" (pp. 296-304); and "The Mausoleum of Hadrian" (pp. 360). See also the online study with images.	QUIZ 5, which will focus on: (a) building materials; (b) the monuments covered in the readings - their ground plans, elevations, decorations, and functions. Be able to identify and date the following MONUMENTS from photographs, as well as ground plans and reconstruction drawings (see coursepack and image file in MyJCU): the Ara Pacis Augustae; the Mausoleum of Augustus; the Augustan Horologium (Meridiana); the Column of Marcus Aurelius; the Mausoleum of Hadrian (Castel Sant'Angelo)
9	10	22	Piazza Navona, at the Fountain of the Four Rivers	Architecture, ritual, and entertainment in the Southern Campus Martius	Stadium of Domitian, Pantheon, Temples of Torre Argentina, Theater and Quadriporti-cus of Pompey	Readings for Quiz 6: SHELTON: CH. 14; LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT, esp. "Leisure Activities" through "Baths" (pp. 309-314) and "Theater Events" (pp. 346-348) PLUS COARELLI: "The Southern and Western Campus Martius" (pp. 266-296) OR CLARIDGE from "Pantheon" to "Republican Victory Temples" pp. 226-246	QUIZ 6, which will focus on: BATHS & THEATERS - basic factual material, including the names and functions of the different rooms in a Roman bath (e.g. on Shelton, p. 312); the MONUMENTS covered in Coarelli - their ground plans, elevations, decorations, and functions. Be able to identify the monuments of the southern and western Campus Martius on a ground plan of the area (see Coarelli, p. 276). Also be able to identify and date the following monuments from photographs and drawings (see coursepack and image file in MyJCU): the Pantheon; Stadium of Domitian; Theater and Quadriporticus of Pompey; Theater of Marcellus; Porticus of Octavia. Also on this date: Submit research paper bibliography in print.
10	10	29	Front entrance of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, Piazza della Repubblica	Bathing; Houses; Burial; Personal and Mystery Religions; Cursing and Superstition	Museo delle Terme di Diocleziano	Readings for Quiz 7: SHELTON, CH. PERSONAL CONCERNS, from "Life Expectancy" through "A Funeral Club" (pp. 90-98); CH. 15: RELIGION, from "Religions from the East" through "Curse Tablets" (pp. 391-420)	QUIZ 7, which will focus on: DEATH & BURIAL: Where were the dead buried in ancient Rome and why? How did non-wealthy Romans provide for their own funerals and burials? IMPORTED & MYSTERY RELIGIONS: What were the main religions that ancient Romans could choose to practice? What did the various religions in question have in common? Were they all treated equally by the Roman state?
11	11	5	Entrance to Palatine Hill in Via di San Gregorio (i.e. the road that runs between the Caelian and Palatine Hills straight toward the Arch of Constantine). Entrance is about halfway along.	The Colosseum and its Context	Palatine antiquarium and Imperial Palace Complex; Arch of Titus; Colosseum	Readings for Quiz 8: SHELTON, CHAPTER II: THE ROMAN ARMY, section on "A Triumph" (pp. 251-252) ; CHAPTER 14, section on "Arena Events" (pp. 348-358) PLUS COARELLI, ROMAN FORUM from "The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina" through "The Temple of Venus and Roma" (pp. 93-99) and VALLEY OF THE COLOSSEUM through "The Ludus Magnus" (pp. 159-172 OR CLARIDGE, pp. 113-128, 312-319, 326-28. Optional but recommended: CLARIDGE pp. 135-59.	QUIZ 8, which will focus on: the MONUMENTS covered in Coarelli and Claridge, esp. the Colosseum and Arch of Titus and its relief sculptures. Be able to identify and date these monuments from photographs, ground plans, and elevation drawings. Also covered: basic factual material from Shelton and possibly on-line material regarding arena events and triumphs. Use coursepack.
12	11	12	Entrance to Palatine Hill in Via di San Gregorio	Houses and Tenements, Circuses, Markets	Roman Houses of Santi Giovanni e Paolo; Circus Maximus, Forum Boarium	Readings for quiz 9: SHELTON, CH. 4, from "Apartments" to "Neighbors" (pp. 63-71), and CH. 14 section on "Circus Events" (pp. 337-345), PLUS COARELLI, "City Walls (pp. 10-27); "Temple of Divus Claudius" and "House of SS. Giovanni e Paolo" (pp. 217-223) OR CLARIDGE, pp. 341-345, 348-355.	QUIZ 9, which will focus on: the various sets of city walls and their dates; the kinds of housing for the various social levels; circus events - their structure, setting, and components. This quiz may include some material from previous units. Use coursepack.
13	11	19	The Column of Trajan (freestanding column across the street from the Victor Emmanuel Monument in Piazza a di Venezia, at the beginning of Via dei Fori Imperiali)	The Imperial Fora and Cult	Column of Trajan and Imperial Fora	Readings for Quiz 10: COARELLI, IMPERIAL FORA (pp. 103-128) OR CLARIDGE pp. 161-96.	QUIZ 10, which will focus on: MONUMENTS in COARELLI: IMPERIAL FORA (pp. 103-128) or equivalents in CLARIDGE. Be able to identify each imperial forum and its main components on a ground plan (see p. 102-103), to specify when the forum was built and by which emperor, and to discuss the impetus (e.g. triumph) that prompted its construction. See pertinent ground plans and drawings in coursepack.
5b	12	1	JCU Campus - room TBA	Evening review session - time to be established in consultation with the class. To cover: exam format; student questions; possible essay topics		Review your notes, and some with questions and ideas for exam essays.
14	12	3	Caffé S. Clemente, Via S. Giovanni in Laterano 124. A short walk from the Colosseum; take use your map.		Excavations of San Clemente; Museo della Crypta Balbi	Prepare for final exam	Descriptive & Research papers due at the beginning of class, in print.
			FINAL EXAM, time & room TBA by JCU				Final examination