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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CL/HS 231"
COURSE NAME: "History of Ancient Rome and Italy"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Dustin Gish
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 2:00PM 3:45PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment

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:

This course on the History of Ancient Rome and Italy 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, through its growth and success as a Republic, to its transformation into an imperial capital.

We will examine:

-- the founding of the kingship and the revolutionary re-founding of Rome as a Republic
-- the establishment, expansion, and conflicts during the extraordinary Republican period
-- the political, cultural, and artistic revolution that occurred in the Augustan Principate
-- the elements of success during the Empire, and Rome's transformation into the capital
-- the decline and fall of Rome and its empire in late antiquity

Course readings will be selections (in translation) from the writings of ancient authors, such as Vergil, Livy, Polybius, Cicero, Sallust, Augustus, Suetonius, and Tacitus (among others). We will also be looking briefly at the work of modern historians and archaeologists. Our study of the history of ancient Rome will also include serious considerations of the visual rhetoric of Roman art, architecture, and archaeology. (Please note that a few sessions of this course may be held on-site or in nearby museums.)

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

 At the end of this class, students will be familiar with the main events, key figures, and broad chronology, that constitute Roman history. Students will be working with primary sources (in translation), artistic and archaeological evidence, major documents, etc.

 

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Additional readings will be made available online or as handouts in class....     
History of Ancient RomeEdited by Glay, Voisin, Bohec, et al. Blackwell (3rd or 4th Edition)978-1405183277     
Fall of the Roman RepublicPLUTARCH (revised edition)Penguin, 2006978-0140449341     
The History of Rome, Books 1-5LIVY (trans. Warrior)Hackett, 2006978-0872207233     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Reflection Papers2 500-word Reflections Papers (on aspects of Roman history)30%
Final ExamIdentification Questions, Short Essays50%
AttendanceStudents are expected to attend each session.10%
ParticipationStudents are also expected to have prepared the assigned readings in advance and to participate in discussions.10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A Work 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
B This 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.
C This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
D This 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.
F This 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 REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY

You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to otherwise meaningful conflicts (such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, misunderstandings or personal convenience) will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
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

Background readings each week from our course textbook will supply students with the broad historical, geographical, archaeological, and artistic information to prepare them for discussions of primary sources.

 

Week 1

FOUNDINGS and REVOLUTIONS Origin and End of the Roman Kingship

Selections from: Vergil and Livy

Week 2

CONQUESTS and ACQUISITIONS Growth of the Roman Republic

Selections from: Livy, Polybius, and Plutarch

Week 3

CIVIL WARS and CONSPIRACIES Beginning of the End of Republican Rome

Selections from: Cicero and Caesar

Week 4

FROM "REPUBLIC" TO "EMPIRE" Transformation of Republican Rome

Selections from: Augustus, Vergil, Suetonius, and Tactius

Week 5

CENTER versus PERIPHERY Expansion, Decline, and Fall of the Roman Empire

Selections from: Marcus Aurelius, Constantine, and Augustine