|
|
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "SOSC/ITS 226-1"
COURSE NAME: "Rome: Modern City (On-site)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session I 2016
|
SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Isabella Clough Marinaro
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 2:00PM 5:45PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
1 hour before each class or by appointment
|
|
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This on-site course, which will be conducted in English, aims to introduce students to a sociological analysis of contemporary Rome. It focuses on the changes which are occurring in the city’s populations, its neighborhoods and patterns of daily life and commerce, and challenges conventional images of what it is to be a Roman today. On-site classes will be held in a variety of neighborhoods in the city in order to analyze the area’s role as a social entity and its relationship with the wider urban context. We will examine the issues and problems facing Rome today, such as housing, degradation and renewal, environmental questions, transportation, multiculturalism, wealth and poverty, social conflict and political identities. These issues will be contextualized within theories of urban sociology and also within an explanation of Rome’s urban development over the centuries and, in particular, since it became the national capital in 1870. Through readings, film clips, interviews and guest speakers, students will also analyze the way the city is narrated by some of its residents.
|
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
On-site classes will be held in a variety of neighbourhoods in the city in order to analyze the area’s role as a social entity and its relationship with the wider urban context. They will include teacher-guided group discussions and observational activities to refine students’ skills of sociological analysis. Lectures and readings before each on-site class will provide students with historical, topographical and sociological information about the area and will introduce relevant urban theories through which to interpret its particular issues. In-class debates will encourage them to question the applicability of theories to the realities observed on-site. We will watch sections of films, read various literary texts and talk to residents of the city (in on-site interviews or with guest speakers) in order to analyze the different discourses through which the city is narrated. Students are expected to do their assigned readings punctually and to follow developments in Roman and Italian society by reading newspapers throughout the semester.
|
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course students should be able to:
1) Demonstrate knowledge of the city’s urban development since it became national capital.
2) Demonstrate familiarity with the economic, political, social, religious, cultural and institutional diversity that characterizes the city of Rome today.
3) Describe individual neighbourhoods and identify their key roles and relations with the broader urban context.
4) Identify the main sociological features of each neighbourhood and, where problems and conflicts exist, propose solutions.
5) Demonstrate familiarity with major theories of urban sociology and apply them to the case-study neighbourhoods in order to assess their validity and relevance for understanding the particular situation of Rome.
6) Students will develop their research and oral presentation skills by carrying out a research project, based on high quality bibliographical research as well as some fieldwork techniques, and discussing their findings with the class.
READINGS: Electronic journal articles will be uploaded on MyJCU and must be read in preparation for each class.
|
TEXTBOOK:
|
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Global Rome. Changing Faces of the Eternal City | Clough Marinaro, Isabella and Bjorn Thomassen (Eds) (2014) | Indiana University Press | 0253012953 | | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
|
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Mid-term Exam | Short answer questions on relevant historical and sociological information on post-1870 Rome. An essay analyzing one of the neighborhoods studied on-site. | 25% |
| Final Exam 35% | 2 essays on sociological issues concerning contemporary Rome discussed throughout the course. | 35% |
| Research presentation 25%, | Students carry out bibliographical research and do fieldwork observation in one Roman neighborhood or on a relevant issue of contemporary Roman life. They give a 10-15 minute oral presentation (plus detailed handout) to the class on their findings. Detailed guidelines are provided in class. | 25% |
| Class Participation 15%. | Attendance in all classes is mandatory and students are expected to arrive on time. Participation involves actively engaging in class discussion, taking detailed notes and asking pertinent questions. | 15% |
-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 co
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 in all classes is mandatory. More than 2 absences will result in the student automatically failing the course.
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
N.B. It is very possible that dates of on-site visits will change. It is your responsibility to be informed of any changes. These will be announced in class and on MyJCU.
|
Session
|
Session Focus
|
Reading Assignment
|
Other Assignment
|
Meeting Place/Exam Dates
|
|
WK 1A
23 May
|
Introduction to Urban Sociology
Lecture on history of modern Rome
|
|
|
In class
|
|
WK 1B
25 May
On site
|
Testaccio: Urbanism, Community and Neighborhood Change
3 Euro donation
|
Global Rome book, Introduction
Rosenthal article
|
|
Meet outside Piramide Metro station (line B)
|
|
WK2A
30 May
|
The Ostiense and Garbatella Districts: Post-industrial urban renewal and rgeneration
|
Garbatella article
|
|
Meet outside Piramide Metro station (line B)
|
|
WK2B
1 June
|
Esquilino: Gateway to the city and melting pot
|
Mudu article
|
|
Meet by steps in the park in centre of Piazza Vittorio (Metro line A)
|
|
WK2C
3 June
FRIDAY
|
MAKE-UP DAY FOR MONDAY 6 JUNE
Monti: Gentrification
(Or join other group 9 am Tues June 7)
|
“What’s Wrong with Gentrification?” article
|
|
Meet Outside Cavour Metro Station (line B) on Piazza della Suburra side
|
|
WK 3A
6 June
|
NO CLASS (MAKEUP DAY 3 JUNE)
|
|
|
|
|
WK 3B
8 June
|
MID-TERM EXAM
Advice for research projects
Watch ‘Monti Moments’ documentary
|
|
|
In class
|
|
WK 4A
13 June
|
Visit the Jewish Quarter, Synagogue and Museum
(Cost approx 4 Euro)
|
Article on reconstruction of Jewish life after WW2
|
|
Meet outside Synagogue on Lungotevere Cenci
|
|
WK4B
15 June
|
From the Ghetto to the Roma Camp. Historical and contemporary forms of exclusion
|
Global Rome book, Chapter 7
|
|
In class
|
|
WK5A
20 June
|
Corviale: The legacies of a controversial public housing project:
|
|
|
Meet at Via Paola No 98 bus stop
|
|
WK5B
22 June
|
Student presentations
|
|
|
In class
|
|
24 June
|
FINAL EXAM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|