Memory and Monuments in Ancient Rome (Study Abroad Summer 2015)
Instructor: Edward Dandrow Office: Colbourn Hall 541 Email: [email protected]
Description: This program will introduce students to Roman Republican and Imperial history through material culture such as civic monuments and space, temples and churches, domestic sites and space, and art objects preserved in museums. Students will learn the history surrounding particular sites and objects, their meanings in a social, political and cultural context, and various interpretations. In this program they will learn to locate both sites and events within a larger historical context. In addition, they will discuss how the ancient world is utilized for modern purposes, in particular how Italian personal, local and national identities rely on these sites and the public memory associated with those sites. Finally, they will also be introduced to and discuss issues of preservation.
Expectations and Goals:
In this program, you will • Complete all readings and be prepared daily to discuss the various sites and their histories. • Identify and explain key developments and events in Roman History • Identify and analyse the central problems in studying Roman History • Identify and explain the important textual and material sources for the study of Roman History • Identify various sites and artifacts and relate their historical importance. • You will describe and analyze the ways in which ancient sites and history are used for modern purposes and the construction of civic, regional and national identities. • Negotiate foreign environments successfully • Acquire and identify accurately the geography of the region • Express and examine preconceptions, cultural prejudices, and attitudes
Webcourses Website: In order to participate in this course, students must access the course website through Webcourses. Prior to traveling abroad, we will use this website as a forum to communicate with each other and to discuss expectations, concerns, anxieties, etc. While abroad, I strongly encourage you to bring your laptops and make sure that you have wireless connection (which hotels should provide). For those without laptops, internet cafes and hotel computers will be sufficient. The following will be posted on the course website: • Syllabus and calendar • List of expectations while abroad and for participating in class • All required readings, organized by site and day • Web journaling • Grades for all assignments • Instructions and expectations for research paper • Emergency contact information
Assignments: • You will be graded based on your daily attendance and participation in the following: 1. Every morning (around 9 AM) we will meet to discuss the readings for that day. Failure to attend will result in a 1% deduction. 2. You are required to go to each site. Failure to attend the day’s sites will result in the loss of one letter grade from your final course grade for the first day missed (unless excused), and you will be required to return back to the United States at your expense if you miss a second day (unless excused). 3. Every afternoon (around 4 PM) we will meet for a debriefing to discuss what we saw that day. Failure to attend will result in a 1% deduction. • You are required to maintain an online daily journal. Entry lengths may vary, but I expect minimally one (1) paragraph (5-6 lines). You may write whatever you wish, but please be aware that I will be reading these. • Upon returning to the University of Central Florida, students will write an 8-10 page research paper pertaining to one of the sites we attended and the history around it or how that site is utilized in the present. 1. You may select whatever site interests you, but keep in mind that this is a research paper and some sites will have more published on them than others. 2. I am looking for individual sites that we have experienced. I am not looking for a study of Rome, Pompeii, Herculaneum or Ostia. 3. Papers must have a title, page numbers and standard margins. Write in size 12 Times New Roman font, double spaced. 4. Use footnotes per Chicago Manual of Style/Turabian. 5. You must have a minimum of ten (10) sources. Online sources can only be used if vetted by professionals in the field. Sources such as Wikipedia do not count. 6. Papers must be turned into the History Department main office by the end of the day (5 pm) on August 1, 2015. 7. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Please read UCF’s policies regarding plagiarism if you are uncertain what it is. If you are caught plagiarizing, I will file a complaint with the Office of Student Conduct. • Breakdown of grades: Attendance/Participation 40% Journal Writing 20% Paper: 40%
• Each student will receive a numerical grade: 100-90 = "A"; 89-80 = "B"; 79-70 = "C"; 69-60 = "D"; 59-0 = "F." At my discretion I will give plus or minus grades or an incomplete ("I").
• Assignments are due at the beginning of class on their respective due dates. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY LEGITIMATE AND VERIFIED REASON. FAILURE TO TURN IN AN ASSIGNMENT WILL RESULT IN A 0 FOR THE ASSIGNMENT.
Texts:
Prior to leaving, I expect everyone to read:
Potter, D. Ancient Rome. A New History. 2nd Edition (New York: Thames & Hudson, [2009] 2014).
It will be best to bring this along as I will make reference to events, persons and trends mentioned within.
In addition, I will also assigned readings pertaining to the sites. These will be posted online.
Daily Schedule:
May 19, 2015: Arrive in Rome
May 20, 2015: Roman Forum
Today we will go to the Roman Forum to examine its layout and the various monuments and buildings that comprise it. We will also look at the Fora of Julius Caesar, Augustus, Vespasian, Nerva and Trajan and how they connect to the main Forum and each other. We will look at how space is utilized and also discuss the problem of absence (when a site disappears, but we know that it was once present).
Schedule: • 7 AM Wake up. • 7:30-8:15 AM Breakfast • 8:30 AM Discussion of today’s itinerary and the readings. • 9:30 Travel to site • 1 PM Break for Lunch • 2-4 PM Break • 4-5 PM Debriefing • 5 -7 PM Free time • 7-9 PM Group Dinner • 9-12 AM Free time
Lecture: Public Life, Power and Identity in the Rome Empire
Readings: TBA
May 21 2015: Colosseum, the Palatine Hill, and the Circus Maximus
Today we will go to the Colosseum, which was built during the reigns of Vespasian and Titus, and examine the surroundings, such as the Arch of Constantine and the Ludus Magnus. Then we will walk to the Palatine Hill and look at the imperial palaces (particularly that of Domitian), the Palatine Museum and discuss the transformation of this once posh neighborhood of the Roman aristocracy to one of a single household under the emperors. From the Palatine we will look over the remains of the Circus Maximus and discuss the relationship between imperial patronage and public entertainment.
Schedule: • 7 AM Wake up. • 7:30-8:15 AM Breakfast • 8:30 AM Discussion of today’s itinerary and the readings. • 9:30 Travel to site • 1 PM Break for Lunch • 2-4 PM Break • 4-5 PM Debriefing • 5 PM-12 AM Free time
Lecture: Public Entertainment and Power in Rome
Readings: TBA
May 22, 2015: Pantheon, Area Sacra di Largo Argentina, Forum Boarium, Iseum, and the Church of St. Clemente
Today we discuss Roman religion. We will begin at the Pantheon and then walk to the Area Sacra di Largo Argentina, the Forum Boarium (and the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin), and finally to the Church of St. Clemente. There is a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes. Midway through our excursion we will encounter the Theater of Marcellus, son-in-law of the Emperor Augustus, and other early imperial structures. We will eat lunch in the Jewish Quarter that has existed since the Empire.
Schedule: • 7 AM Wake up. • 7:30-8:15 AM Breakfast • 8:30 AM Discussion of today’s itinerary and the readings. • 9:30-1 PM Pantheon, Area Sacra di Largo Argentina and Forum Boarium • 1 PM Break for Lunch • 2-4 PM Santa Maria in Cosmedin and Church of St. Clemente • 4-5 PM Debriefing • 5 PM-12 AM Free time
Lecture: Roman Religion
Readings: TBA
May 23, 2015: The Via Appia Antica and Baths of Caracalla
Today is a long day with a lot of walking (and I mean a lot). A taxi bus will take us about 5 miles up the Via Appia Antica, the ancient road that connected Rome to southern Italy. Along this road are a number of funerary monuments, catacombs, and inscriptions. We will walk back to the city, which will take us to the Baths of Caracalla. Because the last 1.5 miles into the city is filled with traffic and dangerous to walk, I will plan to have a taxi bus waiting for us at a certain spot and time. We will bring a lunch and drinks, so be prepared for some hiking.
Schedule: • 7 AM Wake up. • 7:30-8:00 AM Breakfast • 8:00 AM Discussion of today’s itinerary and the readings. • 9:00 Travel by van to the Via Appia Antica. • 9:30-4 PM Walk the course of the Via Appia Antica (about 4 miles) • 1 PM Break for Lunch (we will pack lunches for this day trip) • 4-5 PM Baths of Caracalla • 5 PM Return to Hotel • 6 PM Debriefing • 7 PM-12AM Free time
Lecture: Death and Dying in Rome
Readings: TBA
May 24, 2015: Mausoleum of Augustus, Ara Pacis, and the Column of Marcus Aurelius
Today is a relatively easy day with a visit to a few sites that a close to one another. We begin with the Mausoleum of Augustus and then walk across the street to see the Ara Pacis (in an air conditioned building). Afterwards, we will walk about 1 km to the Column of Marcus Aurelius. For a break, I will take everyone to the Trevi Fountain.
Schedule: • 7 AM Wake up. • 7:30-8:15 AM Breakfast • 8:30 AM Discussion of today’s itinerary and the readings. • 9:30-1 PM At sites • 1 PM Break for Lunch • 2-4 PM Free time • 4-5 PM Debriefing • 5 PM-12 AM Free time
Lecture: War and Peace in Rome
Readings: TBA
May 25, 2015: Capitoline Museum
Today we travel back to the area of the Roman Forum to look at the Capitoline Museum. The Capitoline Hill was very important in antiquity, and the ruins of several important temples rest under the Museum. We will see the foundations for the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus there. The Museum houses a number of important pieces as well as a large number of funerary inscriptions, which I will help you read. I expect everyone not to wander off, as I will be lecturing on select pieces and quizzing you on various subjects. We will spend a fair amount of time here.
Schedule: • 7 AM Wake up. • 8 AM Breakfast • 9 AM Discussion of today’s itinerary. • 9:30-2 PM At Museum • 2 PM Break for Lunch • 3-4 PM Free time • 4-5 PM Debriefing • 5 PM-12 AM Free time
Readings: TBA
May 26, 2015: Vatican Museum
Today we are going to perhaps one of the largest and most important museums in the world. Again, I expect everyone to be attentive and engaging and not wander off. We will see numerous busts, statues, bronzes and then Renaissance art. We will conclude with the Sistine Chapel. This will be a long day, but it is worth it. We will have dinner together afterwards, where we can relax and debrief.
Schedule: • 7 AM Wake up. • 8 AM Breakfast • 9 AM Discussion of today’s itinerary. • 9:30-4 PM At Museum • 4-5 PM Dinner and debriefing • 5 PM-12 AM Free time
Readings: TBA
May 27, 2015: Travel to Pompeii and Guided Tour
Today we travel to Pompeii and examine the ruins. We will pack for a couple of days and store the rest of our luggage at the hotel. We will catch an express train from Termini to Naples in the mid-morning. The trip takes about 1 hour. Then we will catch a local train between Naples and Sorrento. We will get off at Pompeii (a 35 minute trip: the train stops about 1 block from the ruins). We will get lunch once we arrive and then meet up with our tour guide who will show us around the ruins for about 2 hours. Afterwards, we will catch the local train to Sorrento to go to our hotel, which will be about a 30 minute trip. Once settled in, we will gather for dinner and debrief.
Lecture: Life outside of Rome
Readings: TBA
May 28, 2015: Pompeii and Herculaneum
Today we will return to Pompeii for about 3-5 hours to look at other parts of the city and then travel to Herculaneum, another town buried by the eruption of Vesuvius. We will spend about 2-3 hours there. At the end of the day we will return to the hotel in Sorrento.
Readings: TBA
May 29, 2015: Free Day
May 30, 2015: Travel to Rome and the Palazzo Massimo and Baths of Diocletian
Today we return to Rome. We will catch the early morning local train from Sorrento to Naples and then the express train to Rome. Total time should take about 3 hours. When we return to Rome, we will convene for lunch and then visit the Baths of Diocletian and the Palazzo Massimo. There are some interesting pieces in the museum, but the exciting part is seeing some of the intact portions of the baths as well as the courtyard. Afterwards, we will cross the street to the Palazzo Massimo, part of the National Museum of Rome. Within there are wonderful pieces, especially bronze statues.
Schedule: • 6 AM Wake up. • 7 AM Breakfast • 8 AM-12 PM Travel back to Rome • 1 PM Break for lunch • 2-5 PM Baths of Diocletian and the Palazzo Massimo • 4-5 PM Debriefing • 5 PM-12 AM Free time
Lecture: Transformation of the Empire
Readings: TBA
May 31, 2015: Ostia
Today we travel to the harbor town of Ostia, which gives us insight into the nature of a “working-class” community in antiquity. The town has been excavated over the past decades and many of the original structures are still standing. It is much like Pompeii. We will have a guided tour for a couple of hours and then we will explore the town by ourselves.
Schedule: • 7 AM Wake up • 8 AM Breakfast • 9AM Travel to Ostia • 10 AM-12 PM Guided tour • 12 PM Break for lunch • 1-4 PM Explore Ostia • 4-5PM Return to hotel • 5-6 PM Debriefing • 6 PM-12 AM Free time
Lecture: Daily Life in Ancient Rome
Readings: TBA
June 1, 2015: Hadrian’s Villa
Today we travel outside of Rome to visit Hadrian’s Villa. We will examine this site as an example of how the wealthy and powerful lived during the Roman Empire and look at the various ways domestic space was used for self-presentation.
Schedule: • 7 AM Wake up • 8AM Breakfast • 9AM Travel to Hadrian’s Villa • 10 AM-12PM Explore Hadrian’s Villa • 12PM Break for lunch • 1-3 PM Explore Hadrian’s Villa • 3-4 PM Return to hotel • 4-5 PM Debriefing • 5 PM-12 AM Free time
Readings: TBA
June 2, 2015: Leave Rome (End of Program)