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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "SOSC/ITS 226"
COURSE NAME: "Rome: Modern City (On-site)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session II 2016
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Francesca Conti
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 9:00 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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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.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
On-site classes will be held in a variety of
neighborhoods in the city in order to examine the issues and problems facing
Rome today, such as transportation, multiculturalism, poverty and inequalities,
social conflicts to do with housing, degradation and renewal, environmental
issues and politics. This course examines the diversity and
challenges of life in different neighborhoods affected by gentrification,
high cost of living and housing, immigration, political negligence and
multiculturalism. These issues will be contextualized within the history
of Rome since Italy's unification in 1861 and theories of urban
sociology and anthropology. Through direct observation and
participation, readings, documentaries and guest speakers, students will
experience and observe the city from different perspectives and will
familiarize with different aspects of its social life.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course, students
should be able to:
1) Analyze
and discuss different aspects of urbanization and urban life in Rome
2)
Demonstrate knowledge of the city’s development from different
perspectives (social, cultural, religious and urban)
3)
Describe individual neighbourhoods and identify the roots of their
differences and similarities
4)
Identify the main sociological features of each neighborhood in terms of
composition, stratification, history and culture
5)
Identify past and present urban issues, indicate possible solutions and
area of intervention
6)
Identify the main periods of social change in post-war Italy and analyze
today’s Rome within those contexts
7)
Demonstrate familiarity with major theories of urban sociology and familiarity
with fieldwork and participant observation as a methodological tool to gather
and analyze data about the social world.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Global Rome Changing Faces of the Eternal City | Isabella Clough Marinaro and Bjørn Thomassen | Indiana University Press, 2014 eds. | 978-0-253-01301-9 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Final Research Paper | research paper based on one of the problems/issues discussed in the course | 25 |
| oral presentation | each student will brief the class on one of the on-site visit preparing a presentation | 15 |
| class participation | | 20 |
| final exam | a mix of short answer and essay based ones: students critically engage with the materials and debates presented in class lectures, discussions and readings | 25 |
| quiz | based on multiple choice questions | 15 |
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-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 cou
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 is mandatory and, alongside active participation in class.
This makes up 20% of the final grade. One unexcused absence will be tolerated, after which your grade will be lowered in proportion to each class missed. Making up for a second absence is possible through written work .
No more than 3 absences will be allowed in order to pass the course.
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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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Topics and readings
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Meeting place
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Week 1
Tues
July 5
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Introduction
to the course
Readings
from the textbook "Global Rome -The Changing Faces of Rome by Isabella Clough Marinaro and Bjørn
Thomassen.
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In
class for introduction - Trastevere
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Thurs
July
7
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Social
class and the city part 1
Garbatella
Key debates: urban poor and working class in early 20thcentury
Readings
from the textbook: chapt. 3 Diversely global
Social Class and the city part 2
Ostiense - Testaccio
key debates: industrialization, urban requalification; artists and creativity
in the modern city.
Readings:
chapter 4 - housing issues
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Meet
in class for introduction
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Week 2
Tues
12
July
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Fascist
Italy
Visit to EUR
key debates:
buildings and political ideologies in the city - the legacy of fascism and
mega-event
Readings:
history of fascism
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Meet
in class for introduction
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Thurs
14 July
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the former Jewish
Ghetto
Key debates:
Religious pluralism in the city:
the role of religion in society,
diversity, tolerance and discrimination
Readings:
Chapter 2, The Liberal, the Neoliberal
and the Illiberal: Dynamics of Diversity and Politics of Identity in
Contemporary Rome by Michael Herzfeld
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Meet
in class at 9am
Entrance
ticket to the museum - aprox. 5 euros
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Week 3
Tues
19 July
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Monti: Gentrification
Readings:
Introduction
from M. Herzfeld “evicted from eternity”
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Meet
in class for introduction 9-9.30
visit
to Monti, from 10-12.45
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Thur
21 July
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Quiz and Debates on the neighborhoods visited
‘Monti
Moments’ documentary
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In
class
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Week 4
Tues26
July
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multiculturalism: Piazza Vittorio (Esquilino)
chapt. 6 Foreign
Pupils, Bad Citizens. The Public Construction of Difference in a Roman School
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meet
in class for introduction
visit
to Piazza Vittorio will follow
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Thur
28
July
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Refugees
welcome?
Visit
to Casa Scalabrini (refugees centre)
via
casilina- Tor Pignattara
chapt.
5 Torpignattara/Banglatown: Processes of Re-urbanization and Rhetorics
of Locality in an Outer Suburb of Rome
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In
class for introduction
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Week 5
Tues
2
August
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the
city centre: issues and trends in the Centro Storico
chapt.
12 Rome’s Contemporary Past VALERIE HIGGINS
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meet
in class at 9.00
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Thur
4
August
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recap
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In
class
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5 August
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FINAL EXAM
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