JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY COURSE CODE: "CL/HS 231-1" COURSE NAME: "History of Ancient Rome and Italy" SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2015

SYLLABUS INSTRUCTOR: Benedetta Bessi EMAIL: [email protected] HOURS: MW 10:00 AM 11:15 AM TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45 CREDITS: 3 PREREQUISITES: OFFICE HOURS:

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.

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).

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.).

TEXTBOOK: Book Title Author Publisher ISBN number Library Call Number Comments Format Local Bookstore Online Purchase A Brief History of the Romans M. Boatwright Oxford University Press 97801995187515

REQUIRED RESERVED READING: NONE RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING: NONE

GRADING POLICY -ASSESSMENT METHODS: Assignment Guidelines Weight Midterm exam short open questions and essay 30% research paper 2000 word research paper with notes and bibliography on an aspect of social or cultural history (please check separate file on MYJCU) 25% final exam short open questions and 2 essay questions 35% 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 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: 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.

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

WEEK 1 Mon Aug 31 Introduction of course and course material. Geographical and historical background. Wed Sept 2 Italy in the Early Iron Age and the origins of Rome textbook, ch. 1 WEEK 2 Mon Sept 7 Legendary traditions on the origins of Rome Livy, selected passages Wed Sept 9 Rome's First Centuries textbook, ch. 2 WEEK 3 Mon Sept 14 Rome and Italy in the Fourth Century textbook, ch. 3 Wed. Sept 16 Rome and Carthage WEEK 4 Mon Sept 21 The Beginnings of a Mediterranean Empire textbook, ch. 4 Wed Sept 23 Italy and Empire textbook, ch. 5 WEEK 5  Mon Sept 28 Italy Threatened, Enfranchised, Divided textbook, ch. 6 Wed Sept 30 The domination of Sulla textbook, ch. 7 (up to p. 124)   WEEK 6 Mon Oct 5 Spartacus' revolt and Catilina's conspiracy textbook, ch. 7 (from p. 124) Wed Oct 7  End of the Republic: Caesar's dictatorship textbook, ch. 8 WEEK 7 Mon. Oct 12 Midterm review Wed. Oct 14 Midterm exam WEEK 8 Mon Oct 19 Augustus and the transformation of the Roman world textbook, ch 9   Wed Oct 21 Watch documentary on Augustus WEEK 9 Mon Oct 26 The  Julio Claudian  textbook, ch. 10 Suetonius, selected passages Wed Oct 28 The Flavians, c textbook, ch. 11 (up to p. 227) Suetonius, selected passages WEEK 10 Mon Nov 2 Nerva, Trajan textbook, ch. 11 (up to p. 234) selected passages Wed Nov 4  Hadrian, Antoninus Pius text book ch. 11 (up to the end) and ch. 12 (up to p. 248) selected passages WEEK 11 Mon Nov 9 Marcus Aurelius, Commodus textbook ch. 12 (up to p. 256 selected passages Wed. Nov. 11 The Severan dynasty textbook, ch. 12 (up to the end)     WEEK 12 Mon Nov 16 Roman North Africa Wed Nov 18 The third century crisis Diocletian  and the Tetrarchy textbook, ch. 13 (up to p. 284) WEEK 13 Mon Nov 23 The rise of Christianity Selected passages Wed. Nov 25 Constantine and the Advent of Christianity textbook ch. 13 (from p. 284 to the end)   WEEK 14 Mon. Nov. 30 The fall of Roman Western empire and other (his)tories Wed. Dec 2 Wrap up session and final review