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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CL/HS 231-1"
COURSE NAME: "History of Ancient Rome and Italy"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session I 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Benedetta Bessi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MTWTH 2:00 PM 3:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course surveys the history of ancient Rome and Italy, focusing on the origins and metamorphoses of Rome from its archaic foundations as an Italic-Latinate kingship to an imperial city. The course examines the establishment, expansion, and conflicts of the Republican period; the political and cultural revolution of the Augustan ‘Principate’; the innovations of the High Empire; and the transition into Late Antiquity. Course materials include the writings of ancient authors in translation (these may include Polybius, Sallust, Cicero, Livy, Augustus, Suetonius, and/or Tacitus) as well as modern historians and archaeologists, along with considerations of Roman art, architecture, and archaeology.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The objectives of this course are to explore and to better understand the history of ancient Rome from the earliest times down to the beginning of the decline of the Roman Empire. Please note that one or two sessions will be dedicated to the visit of local sites and museums and that in case of an entrance fee, this is to be paid by the students (extimated max cost 15 euros).
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this class, the students will be familiar with the main events and characters of Roman history as well as with the main historiographical tools (primary sources, archaeological evidence, epigraphical documents etc.).
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| A Brief History of Rome | M. Boatwright, D. Gargola, R. Talbert | Oxford University Press | 978-0-19-518715-1 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Midterm exam | short open questions and essay | 20% |
| research paper | 2000 word research paper with notes and bibliography on an aspect of social or cultural history (please check separate file on MYJCU) | 20% |
| in class presentation | group oral presentation on a Roman emperor supported by a Powerpoint presentation including not only text but also pictures and other visual resources retrieved from the web | 20% |
| final exam | open questions and 2 essay questions | 30% |
| attendance and participation | In order to be able to actively participate to class activities, students should come to each session well prepared and having read the chapter assigned for that day, display a proactive attitude as well as avoid disruptive and distracting behaviors including the inappropriate use of laptops, iphones, cells. etc. | 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 cours
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:
Please note that since a portion of the grade for the course will be based not only on each student's participation, but also on attendance, it is extremely important that you not only participate in class, but that you attend on a regular basis. Attendance will be taken at each scheduled class session. Each unjustified absence after the first one will affect your final grade.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Week 1
Mon May 25: Introduction of course and course material.
Geographical and historical background.
Tues May 26: Italy in the Early Iron Age and the origins of Rome
textbook, ch. 1
Wed. May 27: Rome's First Centuries
textbook, ch. 2
Thurs. May 23: Rome and Italy in the Fourth Century
textbook, ch. 3
Week 2
Mon. June 1:Bibliographical research workshop
Tues. June 2: National holiday (make up June 12th)
Wed. June 3: The Beginnings of a Mediterranean Empire
textbook, ch. 4
Thurs. June 4: Italy and Empire
textbook, ch. 5
Week 3
Mon. June 8: Italy Threatened, Enfranchised, Divided
textbook, ch. 6
Tues. June 9: The Domination of Sulla and his legacy
textbook, ch. 7
Wed. June 10: End of the Republic: Caesar's dictatorship
textbook, ch. 8
Thurs. June 11: midterm exam
Fri. June 12: Augustus and the Transformation of the Roman world
Week 4
Mon. June 15: The Julio Claudian
textbook, ch. 9
Tues. June 16: The Flavians, Nerva, Trajan
textbool, ch. 10
textbook, ch. 11 (up to p. 2349
Wed. June 17: Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, Commodus
textbook, ch. 11 (from p. 234), ch. 12 (to p. 255)
Thurs. June 18: on site visit to the Domus under Palazzo Valentini (see website for address)
Wek 5
Mon. June 22: The Severan dynasty and the third century crisis
textbook, ch. 12 (from p. 256)
Tues. June 23: Diocletian and the tetrarchy
textbook, ch. 13
Wed. June 24: Constantine and the advent of Christianity
textbook ch. 13
Thurs. June 25: wrap us
Friday June 26: final exam
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