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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CL/HS 231-1"
COURSE NAME: "History of Ancient Rome and Italy"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2016
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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:
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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.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course surveys the history of ancient Rome and Italy. Focus will be on the main lines of the development of Rome from its archaic foundation as an Italic-Latinate kingship down to the age of Constantine. The course will examine the establishment, expansion, and conflicts of the Roman Republic and the political and cultural evolution of the Augustan ‘Principate’ to the rise of the Empire. Readings (in translation) will include the writings of Livy,Cicero, Caesar, Tacitus, Suetonius and other ancient authors, with some consideration of Roman culture, society and religion.
A field trip to a museum/exhibition relavant to the course topic will be organized in the course of the semester (cost around 10 euros to be paid by the student).
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course, students will have learned of the methods, means, and justifications by which the Roman city-state expanded into a politically and militarily strong, ethnically diverse and geographically complex empire as well as the reasons for its eventual collapse.
Key Skills Taught: Critical analysis of sources - Clearer writing ability - More lucid oral expression - Greater facility in working independently and in team
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TEXTBOOK:
Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
A Brief History of the Romans | M. Boatwright and others | Oxford University Press | 9780195187151 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
research paper | a formal research paper on a topic of social or cultural history (3000 words, notes and bibliography in Chicago style) | 25% |
midterm exam | in class exam with short answers and essay question | 30% |
final exam | non cumulative final exam | 35% |
attendance and class 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:
Attendance is mandatory and it will be taken at the beginning of each session. More than 4 unexcused absences will result in the lowering of the grade (A to A-; A-to B+ etc.).
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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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WEEK 1
Aug 29
Introduction of course and course material.
Geographical and historical background.
Aug 31
Italy in the Early Iron Age and the origins of Rome
textbook, ch. 1
WEEK 2
Sept 5
Legendary traditions on the origins of Rome
Livy, selected passages
Sept 7
Rome's First Centuries
textbook, ch. 2
WEEK 3
Sept 12
Rome and Italy in the Fourth Century
textbook, ch. 3
Sept 14
Rome and Carthage
WEEK 4
Sept 19
The Beginnings of a Mediterranean Empire
textbook, ch. 4
Sept 21
Italy and Empire
textbook, ch. 5
WEEK 5
Sept 26
Italy Threatened, Enfranchised, Divided
textbook, ch. 6
Sept 28
The domination of Sulla
textbook, ch. 7 (up to p. 124)
WEEK 6
Oct 3
Spartacus' revolt and Catilina's conspiracy
textbook, ch. 7 (from p. 124)
Oct 5
End of the Republic: Caesar's dictatorship
textbook, ch. 8
WEEK 7
Oct 10
Midterm review
Oct 12
Midterm exam
WEEK 8
Oct 17
Augustus and the transformation of the Roman world
textbook, ch 9
Oct 19
The Julio Claudian
textbook, ch. 10
WEEK 9
Oct 24
The Flavians,
textbook, ch. 11 (up to p. 227)
Oct 26
Research skills workshop
Library material
WEEK 10
Oct 31
Nerva, Trajan
textbook, ch. 11 (up to p. 234)
Nov 2
Hadrian, Antoninus Pius
text book ch. 11 (up to the end) and ch. 12 (up to p. 248)
WEEK 11
Nov 7
Marcus Aurelius, Commodus
textbook ch. 12 (up to p. 256)
Nov 9
The Severan dynasty
textbook, ch. 12 (up to the end)
WEEK 12
Nov 14
Chicago style notes and bibliography workshop
Library material
Nov 16
The third century crisis
Diocletian and the Tetrarchy
textbook, ch. 13 (up to p. 284)
WEEK 13
Nov 21
The rise of Christianity
Nov 23
Constantine and the Advent of Christianity
textbook ch. 13 (from p. 284 to the end) RESEARCH PAPER DUE
WEEK 14
Nov 28
The fall of the Roman Western empire and other (his)tories
Nov 30
Wrap up session and final review
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