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Description

This course focuses on life in ancient Rome by examining Pompeii as a model of Roman society. In this course, students will study the ancient Roman city of Pompeii before its destruction by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. By examining the surviving artworks (fresco's, sculpture, objects d'art and architecture), and by reading primary sources, students will explore the daily life of ancient Pompeii including its economy, religious practices, entertainment, urban development, politics and relationship with Rome.

Students will spend five days on-site between Rome and Naples. Students will visit in Rome: the forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, National Museum of Rome and Baths of Caracalla before moving on to Naples where they will finish their presentations on-site in Herculaneum and Pompeii and Rome.

Objective
The aim of the course is to examine Roman society and culture in microcosm through the study of the archaeological remains of Pompeii. The course proposes an archaeological approach to the study of the history of Pompeii: through a direct contact with archaeological remains (structures and materials) students will learn how to reconstruct everyday life in an ancient Roman town.

REQUIREMENTS

Class Schedule
Monday - Friday 9 :00 - 11 :30 AM.

Credits
6

METHOD
Lectures with slides, class discussion, videos, museum visits and field trip. Handouts to support lectures and visits will be provided by the teacher. Classes usually start with a short discussion of the given readings and a brief summary of the arguments treated in the previous lecture. Two oral presentations "on site" (Pompeii and Rome) of a topic chosen will be required of each student. As this is a super intensive course - students will be required to attend visits and screen films outside of the regular class "lecture" time.

ATTENDANCE-ABSENCE POLICY
Academic integrity and mutual respect between instructor and student are central to FUA's academic policies. This is reflected in the attendance policy.
Class attendance is mandatory and counts towards the final grade.
Each absence from class will negatively impact your final grade. (Attendane and Participation)
After the second (2nd) absence the instructor may lower the final grade by one letter grade at the end of the term. (Example: 90/A- = B-)
After the third (3rd) absence the student may receive an Automatic Failure. (WF) It is always the student's responsibility to know how many absences they have in a course.

TESTS - ASSIGNMENTS -SOURCES
Students are required to study the assigned readings before coming to class and, divided into groups, to discuss them briefly. All information given during lectures, visits and field trips, in addition to those found in the readings and handouts will be considered part of the program, and students are expected to include them in the preparation of exams and tests.
Students are expected to write a research paper (minimum 8 - maximum 12 pages) -- on selected topics which focus on one of the aspects treated in class as well as on the readings provided during the lessons. All papers must include proper footnotes and a bibliography of the sources selected.
Mid-term and final exams will consists of a written text based on open answer questions and short essay answers.

EVALUATION - GRADING SYSTEM

Attendance: 5%
Participation: 5%
Mid Course Quiz: 15%
Pompeii Presentation: 15%
Rome Presentation: 15%
Final Exam: 20%
Research Paper + Final Presentation: 25%

FUA Grading Scale:100-93=A; 92-90=A-; 89-87=B+; 86-83=B; 82-80=B-; 79-77=C+; 76-73=C; 72-70=C-; 69-60= D; 59-0=F;

TEXT BOOK - FURTHER READINGS
Students will be provided with a course reader and handouts throughout the course.

Further suggested readings: (all books are in the FUA Library): Eva Cantarelli & Luciana Jacobelli A Day in Pompeii - daily life, culture and society, Naples 2003
J. E., Stambaugh, The Ancient Roman City, The John Hopkins University Press, 1988.
R. Etienne Pompeii: the Day a City Died, NY, 1992
The National archaeological Museum of Naples - Catalogue, Naples, 1996
Jo-Ann Shelton As the Romans Did. A Sourcebook in Roman Social History. nd. ed. Oxford 1998
A. Varrone, Eroticism in Pompeii, Erma di Breitschneider, 2001.
A. D' Ambrosio, Women and beauty in Pompeii, Erma di Breitschneider, 2001
E. de Carolis, Gods and Heroes in Pompeii, Erma di Breitschneider, 2001
A. Wallace-Hadrill, Houses and society in Pompeii and Herculaneum, Princeton, 1994.
L.Richardson, Jr. Pompeii: An Architectural History, Baltimore 1988
R. Harris, Pompeii.
M. B. Rowler, Dining posture In ancient Rome. Bodies, values and status, Princeton University press, 2006.

LAB- FEES
There are no lab fees for this course. What is included:
· All admissions to museums and sites that are part of the course.
· All transportation (bus to Fiesole, train to Naples, Sorrento, Rome and back to Florence as well as buses (when used) in Rome.
· No meals are included.
· Four nights accommodation in a hostel (Sorrento -Jan18 and 19 and Rome on Jan 20 and 21).
· It is mandatory to be present at all site visits as this is a highly intensive course.

VISITS-TRIPS
Site visits are a fundamental part of this course - all visits are listed below in the section "Lessons". Please note that days and times of the visits may change.

FINAL EXAM-FINAL PAPER
Guidelines and details will be made available on the first day of class. Final exam will consists of a written text based on open answer questions and short essay answers.

LESSONS

Week I

Monday, January 7th
Introduction to the course: presentation of the syllabus and information on presentations, exams, sources and site visits.
Introduction to ancient Rome.
Introduction to Archaeology: case study Pompeii.
Walking tour of "Roman" Florence (Florentia) please note the walking tour will be after class from approximately 12:30 - 1:30 pm.
Readings: will be assigned from the coursepack.
Assignment: Student perceptions and conceptions of ancient Rome.
Tuesday, January 8th
Pompeii: from an Etruscan and Samnite settlement to a Roman colony. Theory and practice of "town building" and urban development.
Visit: University of Florence - Department of Archaeology (approximately 2 hours - time: TBA)
Video: Pompeii (part I)
Readings: Will be assigned from the coursepack.
Assignment: TBA
FILM: Rome: Power and Glory documentary - Part I (60 minutes) 12:30 - 1:30 pm.***
**Students will be required to view this three part documentary series outside of class. Students will be required to submit a copy of notes taken during the screening as "homework" at the following class meeting.
Wednesday, January 9th
Before the Romans: The Etruscans
Visit to the Archaeological Museum of Florence - please note the visit to the museum will be after class - the visit will last from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.
Readings: Will be assigned from the coursepack
Assignment: Students will have individual assignments to complete in the museum and at home.
Thursday, January 10th
City Government: The Forum Area
Research project topics to be assigned.
Readings: Will be assigned from the coursepack.
Research Hour: from 12:30 - 1:30pm students will work with the instructor in the library to begin assemblying materials for their on-site presentations and research papers.
FILM: Rome: Power and Glory - Part II (60 minutes) 1:30 - 4:00pm***
Friday, January 11th
The City and the Gods: the temple, state cults, private beliefs and mystery cults.
On-site Presentations: How to give a presentation, what is expected of each presentation etc.
Video: Pompeii (part II)
Readings: will be assigned from the coursepack.
Assignment: Research paper outline and basic bibliography to be turned in on Monday, January 14.

Week II

Monday, January 14th
Leisure Time: Games, sports, baths and brothels.
Review for midcourse quiz.
Research paper outline and bibliography due.
Readings: will be assigned from coursepack.
Students will receive their itinerary and "trip packs" for Rome and Pompeii.
FILM: Gladiators: Bloodsport of the Colosseum (60 minutes) - 12:30 - 2:00pm***
Tuesday, January 15th
Midcourse Quiz
The Roman Family: Paterfamilias
Readings: will be assigned from coursepack.
Following class the instructor will meet with students in the library from 2:30 to 4:30 to discuss their progress on their papers and presentations.
Wednesday, January 16th
Households and Housing: The family and the house.
Gender roles in ancient Rome.
Readings: will be assigned from coursepack.
Visit: Fiesole: Roman theatre and museum - the visit will be after class and last from approximately 2:30 to 6:00pm.
Thursday, January 17th
Economy of the commercial city
Video: Herculaneum
FILM: The Gladiator (this film will be viewed from 12:30 - 3:30 pm)
Friday, January 18th
Students will depart in the morning by train from Santa Maria Novella (Florence) for Naples. The group will change to a local commuter train "circumvesuviana" and proceed to Sorrento.
Class meeting and short lecture to discuss the itinerary for Saturday and student presentations.
Dinner at Pizza al Metro in Vico Equense. (not included please budget between 12 to 15 Euros)
Saturday, January 19th
Visit Ercolano and Villa Oplontis. (please bring water with you)
The visits will take place from approximately 9:30am to 4:30pm - students will have ninety minutes for lunch.
Students are free for the balance of the day/evening.
Sunday, January 20th
Visit to Boscoreale and Pompeii - the visit will last from approximately 9:30 - 4:30pm. Students will bring their luggage with them that will be put in the left luggage room at Pompeii. Following the visit to Pompeii the group will take the circumvesuviana back to the Naples train station and then proceed to Rome. Check-in to hostel in Rome.
Walking Tour: There will be an introductory walking tour of Rome.
Dinner: L'Orbitorio Pizzeria in Trastevere (not included students should budget between 10 to 15 Euros)

WEEK III

Monday, January 21st
Visit: Rome - the visit will be all day ( 9:00 - 5:00pm). There will be two one hour breaks and numerous stops for cappuccino and maybe something stronger as the day wears on.
The visit will begin in Piazza Venezia - sites include: Campidoglio, Capitolini Museums, Roman Forum, Colosseum.
The visit will terminate at approximately 5 - 6 pm in Campo dei Fiori. Students are free for the balance of the day.
Tuesday, January 22nd
Visit: Rome - site visits on this day will inlcuced the Catacomes of S. Priscilla or S. Callisto (depending on scheduling), the Pantheon, Piazza Navonna, the tomb of X and Santa Maria degli Angelli.
We will depart for Florence at approximately 8pm. The meeting point will be in front of the Mc Donalds inside Termini station at 7:30pm.
Wednesday, January 23rd
Guest lecture: Roman Influence in Modern Italian Culture and Society
Instructor will distribute take home essay questions for the Final Exam.
Thursday, January 24th
Class review for the exam as well as library time (2:30 - 4:30pm) with the instructor to discuss final presentations and research papers.
Friday, January 25th
Student presentation of research papers.
Final Exam