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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CL/RL 288"
COURSE NAME: "Religion in the Graeco-Roman World"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Benedetta Bessi
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is a survey of the elements of traditional religion in the Graeco-Roman world. It is designed to introduce students to the tenets, beliefs, and spiritual practices of classical antiquity and to familiarize them with the social, cultural and political background surrounding ancient religion. Among the topics covered are the range of religious expressions in Greece and Rome, including the approach to the divine, ritual practices, and the organization of time and space. While the first part of the course is dedicated to Greece, in the second half we will concentrate on Roman religion both as a phenomenon in and of itself and as a factor integrated in the socio-political organization of the empire.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The first part of the semester is dedicated to the Greek world and includes the discussion of Greek ritual space behavior, the relationship between myth and cult, the nature of deities (gods and heroes) as well as the role of religion within the community, the family and the individual life. Specific case studies investigated and presented by the students are: the cult of Apollo at Delphi, the cult of Athena at Athens, the cult of Zeus at Olympia, the cult of Demeter at Eleusis, the cult of Dionysos and the origins of theatre, the cult of Asklepios and the birth of medicine and  the Orphic-Pythagorean religion.

The second part of the semester will investigate the Roman world and in addition to a comparison/contrast approach with its counterpart to better understand the peculiarities of both religious phenomenons, we'll cover aspects connected to the Roman ritual, the organization of religious time (calendar) and the role of priests and priestesses in Roman society and politics. For this section, selected topics include the cult of the Capitoline Triad, the cult of Vesta and the Vestal Virgins, the cult of Saturn and Saturnalia, the cult of the Magna Mater, the cult of the Egyptian goddess Isis, the cult of the Persian god Mithras.

At the end of the class, we will also introduce the rise of Christianity and its role in bringing to an end the polytheistic religion the ancient world had been familiar with for thousand years.



LEARNING OUTCOMES:
 By the end of this course, students will be familiar with the most relevant aspects of ancient politheism as manifested in the Greek and Roman antiquity.
They will be able to frame ancient religious behaviours and beliefs within the social, cultural and political background of the Graeco-Roman world as well as to compare and contrast ancient politheistic traditions with modern monotheistic religions.
They will improve their ability to read and interpret critically primary and secondary sources as well as improve their writing and oral skills.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Ancient Greek Religion J.D. Mikalson John Wiley140518177X     
An Introduction to Roman Religion J. Scheid Indiana University Press0253216605     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
in class presentation group or individual presentation in class15%
Midterm examopen questions and essay20%
research paper 2000 word essay with Chicago notes and bibliography25%
Final exam open questions and final cumulative essay30%
Attendance and 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:
This course is a survey of the elements of traditional religion in the Graeco-Roman world. It is designed to introduce students to the tenets, beliefs, and spiritual practices of classical antiquity and to familiarize them with the social, cultural and political background surrounding ancient religion. Among the topics covered are the range of religious expressions in Greece and Rome, including the approach to the divine, ritual practices, and the organization of time and space. While the first part of the course is dedicated to Greece, in the second half we will concentrate on Roman religion both as a phenomenon in and of itself and as a factor integrated in the socio-political organization of the empire.
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.

Intro. Identifying Ancient Religion

.



Wed Sept 2

Ritual Space and the Space of Ritual in ancient Greece

Mikalson ch. 1



WEEK 2

Mon Sept 7

Greek religion and mythology

Mikalson ch. 3



Wed Sept 9

Greek cultual practices

Mikalson ch. 4





WEEK 3

Mon Sept 14

Religion in the Greek family

Mikalson ch. 5



Wed. Sept 16

 Role play on the previous material.



WEEK 4

Mon Sept 21

Religion in the Greek city state

Mikalson ch. 6



Wed Sept 23

Religion and the individual

Mikalson ch. 7



WEEK 5 

Mon Sept 28

The cult of Athena at Athens



Wed Sept 30

 The cult of Apollo at Delphi

 



WEEK 6

Mon Oct 5

The cult of Demeter et Kore at Eleusis



Wed Oct 7

 The cult of Zeus at Olympia



WEEK 7

Mon. Oct 12

Midterm review



Wed. Oct 14

Midterm exam



WEEK 8

Mon Oct 19

Problems and definitions of Roman religion

Scheid ch. 1-2

 

Wed Oct 21

 Roman rituals

Scheid ch. 3



WEEK 9

Mon Oct 26

The division of time and space

Scheid ch. 4-5

 



Wed Oct 28

The Actors of Roman religion I: priests and priestessess

Scheid ch. 6-7



WEEK 10

Mon Nov 2

The Actors of Roman religion II: the gods

Scheid ch. 8 



Wed Nov 4

 Interpretations of Roman religion

Scheid ch. 9



WEEK 11

Mon Nov 9

The cult of Jupiter Optimus Maximus and the Capitoline Games





Wed. Nov. 11

The cult of Vesta and the Vestal Virgins

  



WEEK 12

Mon Nov 16

The cult of  Saturn and the Saturnalia



Wed Nov 18

 The cult of Isis



 Mon Nov 23

The cult of Mithras



Wed. Nov 25

Roman religion in the Provinces: the case of North Africa

B. Shaw, Cult and Belief in Punic and Roman North Africa (available online)

 

WEEK 14

Mon. Nov. 30 Research paper due

The rise and triumph of Christianity

Selected readings



Wed. Dec 2

Wrap up session and final review







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