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Loyola University John Felice Rome Center The Topography of Ancient Rome (CLST/ROST 395) SPRING 2017: TUES. 9:30-12:30 Prof. Sharon Salvadori Office Hours by appointment Email: [email protected] Cell phone: 339 545 9356 COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES This is an upper level survey course on the topography of the city of Rome from its origins (c. 753 B.C.) to the reign of Constantine (312-337 AD). The definition and development of urban space are examined in the context of their political, religious, military and social functions and meanings. Public monumental art and architecture are the “primary sources” for this examination of the built environment and visual culture of the Ancient city. Key themes include the urban articulation of Roman identity, the city as memory theatre, the Roman reception of Greek art and architecture, the interplay between the emperor and the city, and the impact of the Empire on the city of Rome. The primary aim of the course is to provide an in-depth familiarity and appreciation of the multifaceted nature of city in its original historical context. The class is taught at archeological sites and in museums in Rome. LEARNING OUTCOMES understanding key aspects of urban layout and spatial organization in Ancient Rome understanding key structural, functional and stylistic aspects of Ancient Roman art and architecture ability to analyze and interpret the urban topography and development of Ancient Rome and, more specifically, the motives in the creation, use and reception of areas, neighborhoods and monuments in their original (Ancient) political, religious, and social contexts skills for the critical analysis of urban topography and visual culture generally familiarity with different methods of art historical analysis and terminology and the ability to deploy them successfully ability to apply critical thinking and analysis generally ability to select and organize material to produce a coherent and cogent argument both orally and in writing- and to do so to so respecting deadlines. ability to exchange ideas and engage in discussion with peers REQUIRED COURSE TEXTS Coarelli, F. (2007) Rome and its Environs: An Archaeological Guide (to purchase) Course handbook (to purchase) Kleiner, D.E.E. (1992) Roman Sculpture (Lib. reserve) Stamper, J. (2005),The Architecture of Roman Temples. Republic to Mid-Empire (Lib. reserve) **********See also below: “Course Reading Looking and Note-Taking” *********** 1 COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND LOGISTICS Final grades are based on attendance, participation, 1 mid-term (consisting of 2 tests), 1 final exam, 1 presentation, and 1 term paper, as follows: Attendance required, not graded Participation 5% Quizzes 25% Presentation 15% Term Paper 25% Mid-term exam 15% Final exam 15% ATTENDANCE (REQUIRED NOT GRADED) All scheduled classes are mandatory. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. You are allowed one unjustified absence- no questions asked- but two unjustified absences will result in a failing grade for the course (because each class is a double period the 2 classes are the equivalent of 4). Justified absences are documented illness and accidents (doctor’s note required). Travel mishaps do not constitute a justified absence. On-site courses obviously require moving, you must therefore always be punctual at our initial meeting points (specified below in the class schedule). You should calculate 90 minutes travel time from JFRC and this means you must be out of the door by 8:00 AM! It is your responsibility to find out where the meeting places are. You may ask me in advance, but no later than during the class the week before. I will not respond to last minute emails or phone calls. Coarelli, F. (2007) Rome and Environs. An Archeological Guide (your textbook!) has many useful maps to locate sites. For subway and bus lines consult www.atac.it (available in English). PARTICIPATION (5% OF COURSE GRADE) Active participation is expected of all students, but the level or amount of your engagement is graded. P Although it is only 5% of the course grade it could ensure an A rather than an A- as your final grade. Participating means coming to class having read the week’s assignment (listed in the schedule below), prepared to ask and answer questions and to share any pertinent observations. Remember too that the more you engage, the more fun the class will be not only for you but also for everyone else (me included). QUIZZES (25% OF COURSE GRADE) 6 quizzes will be given in the course of the semester (the dates are inserted in the course schedule.) The quiz with the lowest score will be omitted from the final tally; the remaining 5 quizzes are therefore each worth 5% of the course grade. Each quiz will consist in a series of questions on specific areas, monument types (including individual structural or stylistic features), individual monuments or sets of monuments in Ancient Rome. They are designed to assess your knowledge of essential facts and your ability 2 to critically interpret and asses their historical significance. You may be asked the name of an area or monument, its location, its date, its function, its patronage; you may also be asked to describe it (main physical characteristics, structural and decorative components, materials used, etc); or you may be asked to a question on some aspect of its historical significance (e.g. the possible motivations for designating an area of the city with specific functions or the intended meaning- political, religious, social aesthetic, etc.- of individual monuments). The questions will be based on material that we have already covered in class, but completing the required reading is necessary to pass each and every quiz. Answers to individual questions should always be brief: in some cases one or two words or word or a short phrase will suffice and no answer should require more than two or three sentences. Depending on the quiz, you will be given anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes to answer. PRESENTATION (15% OF COURSE GRADE) The presentation consists of a 15-minute report (no less, no more) to the class on a monument or artwork in Rome and will take place before the monument or artwork itself. It is intended to develop your skills in independent research, observation, interpretation, evaluation and public speaking (developing the ability to express yourself orally in a clear, concise and effective manner is as important as the content of the presentation …content without form undermines content itself...) The presentation topics have been inserted in the course schedule. You will be required to sign up Tuesday Feb. 3 (class three). The presentation in class must include: • a descriptive account of the monument/artwork (date, location, medium, size, technique, composition, texture, costume, gestures, etc., as relevant) • a contextual and interpretative discussion (function, patronage, impact, associations, etc., as relevant) • a pertinent Ancient source to be read to the class (Aicher 2006 and Shelton 1998 are two good sourcebooks) • 2-3 questions raised by the monument, artwork or subject addressed to the class to engage them directly in your topic and so further develop it. This also means that you should avoid “quizzing” the class on ascertained facts (e.g. “who was the patron of the Colosseum?”). Rather the questions should consist in “whys”, that is questions that address issues of interpretation, motivations, reception, etc. e.g. how does Vespasian’s patronage of the Colosseum relate to Augustus’ architectural patronage in Rome? Why was Augustus one of his chosen models? How did it benefit his rule? etc. Your presentation must clearly demonstrate that 1. you have read and understood the required reading listed on your syllabus for your topic 2. you have read and understood at least two additional academic sources on your topic; the most obvious and sure-fire (and easiest) option is to choose relevant publications from the "Suggested Reading" listed on your syllabus; but other pertinent books and periodicals available in the JFRC library, or available through JSTOR, MUSE and other legitimate academic publication data bases may also be used. Please be aware that for other Internet sources, the rule of thumb is if it exists in print it is acceptable, if doesn't it isn't. So, e.g. an article from an academic periodical that has been made available on line is fine, but a web-site on 3 monuments, historical background, etc. is not. Also be aware that our knowledge about Ancient Rome has grown in time and so too research questions have evolved so please be wary of older publications (say pre- 1980) unless you are certain they are still valid. When in doubt, ask me. On the day of presentation you must submit: 1. one-page or two-page handout to all members of the class (including me) with an outline of indicating the key points of your presentation and a bibliography which must include: A. relevant titles from the required reading on your syllabus B. the reference for the ancient source quoted during presentation C. The additional title/s from the suggested reading or your own research If appropriate, please also provide copies of supporting images from books or the internet (please search ARTSTOR and Vroma.org before using other internet image data bases). If pertinent plans, images etc. are available in course handbook, make sure to refer to them by page numbers. 2. A detailed summary (c. 3-4 pages) of your presentation to be turned into me. **The presentation itself combined with 1-2 above is the basis of your grade TERM PAPER (25% OF THE COURSE GRADE) Due Date: Tues. Apr. 18. No late papers accepted. Early papers welcome. Format: in hard copy in class and in electronic form (= via email) by end of day = 7pm Length: 3000 words (c.
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