Weber State University History 4720: Roman World

History 4720: The Roman World

Syllabus: Fall 2011

Instructor

Class information

Assignments/schedule

Grading

Useful websites

Instructor: Kathy Payne
Office: 145 Stewart Library
Phone: 626-6511
email: KLPayne@weber.edu
website: http://faculty.weber.edu/klpayne/historyroman

Class meets: Tuesday/Thursday 10:30am - 11:45pm, Library 231 (Special Collections - large room)

Office hours: I’m usually around the Reference area or in my office, but if you want a guaranteed time, catch me after class, call or email to set up an appointment.

Students with Disabilities: Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability must contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in room 181 of the Student Service Center. SSD can also arrange to provide course materials (including this syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary.

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Class Information

Description: This course will survey the world of ancient Rome from its prehistoric beginnings through its transformations in late antiquity.

Learning objectives:

Students will become familiar with the history of Rome itself as well as the ancient cultures that contributed to the development of the Roman Empire
Students will explore the types of tools and resources needed to study ancient history.
Students will learn about the ancient roots of some current events.

Class etiquette: I am intolerant of students who act in a manner that disturbs me or other students.

You may eat and drink in class IF: you don't bother anyone AND you don't make a mess.

Cell phones are a pet peeve of mine. Consider yourself warned.

Attendance: Class participation is expected. Students will receive points based on regular class participation. Unexcused absences will have a negative effect on your grade.

I give extensions only for medical and similarly urgent problems. I define what's "urgent".

Acceptable reasons may include illness, family emergencies, deployments, and business trips.
Reasons that are usually unacceptable: Marriages, alien abductions, vacations, skiing/snowboarding/hunting season etc.

You may need to provide documentation such as a letter from your health care provider or deployment orders.

Group work: Group work is acceptable when I give specific permission. Otherwise, group work is considered cheating and dealt with accordingly.

Academic Integrity: It is assumed that students will act in an ethical manner. Students engaging in unethical conduct will be subject to academic discipline, including the imposition of University sanctions, as described in the WSU Student Code of Conduct. Examples of unethical conduct include, but are not limited to: willful damage of materials, theft, hiding of library materials, plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized use of computers and computer accounts, and intentionally spreading viruses.

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Texts:

Required:

Ward, Allen M., Heichelheim Fritz M. and Yeo, Cedric A. 2009. A History of the Roman People. 5th edition. Prentice Hall.
ISBN: 978-0205695263

Used copies should be available for about 1/2 price - check the bookstore and online
There will also be a copy available on Reserve in the library.

Not familiar with the Roman numerals in your book? Check out this chart from the Cincinnati City Schools:
http://literacy.kent.edu/Minigrants/Cinci/romanchart.htm

Assignments:

Paper:

Motel of the Mysteries: (25 pts) Write a 2-3 page essay describing the implications of the book for the study of ancient history. Use specific, concrete examples from the book to support your argument. Due Tuesday, Jan. 18 at the beginning of class OR via email by midnight, MST the same day.

While I give most weight to the content, all papers must be typed, double-spaced, use correct grammar and be free of gross spelling errors or your grade will suffer. This is a formal assignment and not an email to a friend.

In-class assignment:

Epigraphy (25 pts) - all information handed out in class (Tuesday, Sept. 6)

Presentations: 3 presentations at 50 pts each - total = 150 pts

Each presentation should be 15-20 minutes long
Place your presentation in time & space: show locations on a map, briefly describe the physical environment, and give the time period covered. (The map does not count as one of your sources, but be sure to give credit for it, any images, etc.)
Be prepared to answer questions.
Presentations will be graded as papers are - on content, organization, and sources. If you haven't done a presentation before, don't worry. While presentation will play a part in your grade, as long as content, organization and sources are good, your grade will be good.
You may also use CDs, DVDs, Youtube videos as long as they are good sources and are used only for illustration. They should not last more than 2 minutes.
Base the presentation around Powerpoint - if you've never used Powerpoint, let me know and I'll show you how
You must have at least three primary sources. One should be text, the other two may be art, archaeological information, etc. These sources should be incorporated into your presentation.
You must have at least two scholarly sources
You may use other sources if you like, but the majority of the presentation must be based on the primary sources and the scholarly sources
You will need to email the Powerpoint for me. I will post it on the class website. I will also grade it and return it to you via email.
Use the newest edition of Turabian/Chicago (note/bibliography style), APA, or MLA style in your citations. I don't care if you have every period or comma correct, but I want all the important information there and in a consistent format. Be sure to include stable URLS for all electronic sources.

Presentation topics: Choice of topic must be emailed (KLPayne@weber.edu ) no later than 1 week before the presentation. If you do not email me, I won't grade the presentation.

YOU ONLY HAVE 15-20 MINUTES. BE SPECIFIC! DON'T CHOOSE GLADIATORS, CHOOSE A SPECIFIC TYPE, OR HOW THEY TRAINED OR WHAT THE CROWD EXPECTED.

Presentation I: That's Entertainment

Possible topic areas: hunting, gladiators, chariot racing, gambling, hobbies, theater, dance, the baths

Presentation 2: Home, Sweet Home

Possible topic areas: Upper class women, children's toys, pets, food and food preparation, domestic slaves, interior design

Presentation 3: Christianity

Possible topic areas: house churches, slavery, Christian soldiers, female patrons, Church & State, martyr stories, missionary work, heresies

Blogging: 4 blog posts plus comments at 25 points each - total = 100 pts

You need to do a total of 4 (four) blog post, each about 300 words (about = 1 double spaced typed page)
You need to comment on everyone else's posts
Each post is work 20 points, the comments are worth 5 for a total of 25 points

Each post should be on a focused topic of interest to you
You need to place the topic in time and space
Each post should include one image - either a picture of an object, a map, etc. that is directly related to your topic. Be sure to explain how the image relates to your post. Be sure to cite the image completely. Ask for permission if necessary.
Each post should use one primary source. The source can be from a text, it can be an object, etc. You can use the same image for both your image and your primary source.
You need at least two scholarly references
You may include other references
Be sure to give credit for all references and images that you use. You do not have to use a formal style, but I expect to see all essential information available.

Grading the blogging assignment: I will send a paragraph with a number grade and the reasons I gave that grade to your Wildcat email address. Because of History Department regulations, I must use the Wildcat email. Don't use Wildcat email? Forward it to the email you do use: http://libguides.weber.edu/aecontent.php?pid=25558

Blogging instructions are available at: http://faculty.weber.edu/klpayne/History4210/blogginginstructions.htm

Class Participation - 50 points

Schedule

Date	Time Period	Topic	Readings & Assignments
Tuesday Aug. 23	In the beginning . . .	Class intro
Thursday Aug. 25		The Etruscans	Ward, et al. I.1 Roman History - p. 1-7 I.2 Phoenicians, Greeks & Etruscans p. 11-26
Tuesday Aug. 30		Patrons & Clients	Ward, et al. I. 3 Early Rome - p. 27 - 38 I. 4 Early Roman Society - p. 39 - 54
Thursday Sept. 1	The Republic	Foundation Stories	Ward, et al. I. 5 The Evolution of the Constitution - p. 55 - 73 I. 6 The Roman Conquest of Italy - p. 74 - 87
Tuesday Sept. 6		Sources for Roman History - non-textual	Ward, et al. II.7 The First Punic War & other problems - p. 88 - 99 Motel of the Mysteries paper due beginning of class OR by midnight MDT via email. DVD - Birth of Rome
Thursday Sept. 8		Sources for Roman History - textual	Ward, et al. II. 8 War with Hannibal - p. 100 - 109 Epigraphy - in class assignment (25 pts)
Tuesday Sept. 13		Rome at war: The Punic Wars	Ward, et al. II. 9 Roman Imperialism - p. 110 - 126
Thursday Sept. 15		Things change	Ward, et al. II. 10 The Transformation of Roman Life - p. 127 - 140 II. 11 The Great Cultural Synthesis - p. 141 - 151
Tuesday Sept. 20		Class warfare	Ward, et al. III.12 The Gracchi and Reforms - p. 152 - 162
Thursday Sept. 22		Rome at war: The army evolves	Ward, et al. III.13 Breakdown of the System & Marius - p. 163 - 173 III.14 Civil War & Sulla - p. 174 - 181 Blog 1 - (25 pts)
Tuesday Sept. 27		Caesar	Ward, et al. III.15 Personal Ambitions - p. 182 - 197 III.16 Caesar - p. 198 - 214 DVD - Killing Caesar
Thursday Sept. 29		A life in letters: Cicero - Rome & the "new man"	Ward, et al. III.17 The Last Years of the Republic - p. 215 - 228 III.18 Life in the Late Republic - p. 229 - 247 Read: Letters of Cicero XII (Pompey), LXI (exile), CV (mostly politics), CVI (daily life), CCLXXV (family matters & politics), CCLXXVII (sucking up, Roman style), CCLXXVIII (asking favors), CCLXXIX (reporting in), CCLXXXI (family & other concerns), CCLXXXII (family matters), CCC (Caesar crosses the Rubicon) CMIX (Brutus, yes!), DCCCXIII (his last letter) Translation: M. Tullius Cicero, Letters Evelyn Shuckburgh, from Perseus (Tufts.edu) Caesar Commentary on the Civil War – Crossing the Rubicon Translation: C. Julius Caesar, Commentaries on the Civil War William Duncan, Ed from Perseus (Tufts.edu) Catullus Poems Numbers: 1 (dedication of book), 5 (Lesbia), 13 (poverty, etc.), 23 (insults), 70 (on the fickleness of lovers), 85 (on love and hate), 93 (on Caesar), 96 (consoling a friend) Translations: http://www.vroma.org/~hwalker/VRomaCatullus/list.html From: Henry J. Walker, VRoma & Bates College
Tuesday Oct. 4	The Principate	Presentations: That's Entertainment!	Ward, et al. IV.19 The Principate takes Shape - p. 248 - 260 IV.20 Imperial Stabilization - p. 261 - 276 Presentation 1 - (50 pts)
Thursday Oct. 6		Gladiators	Ward, et al. IV.21 The Impact of Augustus - p. 277 - 291 DVD - Secrets of the Gladiators
Tuesday Oct. 11		Rome at war: daily life in a legion	Ward, et al. IV.22 The First Two Julio-Claudians - p. 292 - 303
Thursday Oct. 13		Pompeii	Ward, et al. IV.23 Claudius, Nero & the End of the Julio-Claudians - p. 304 - 314 DVD - Doomsday Pompeii
Tuesday Oct. 18		Daily life in Pompeii	Ward, et al. IV.24 The Crisis of the Principate & the Flavians - p. 315 - 324 Blog 2 - (25 pts)
Thursday Oct. 20		A life in letters: Pliny the Younger - the life of an imperial gentleman	Ward, et al. IV. 25 The Five "Good" Emperors - p. 325 - 340 Letters from Pliny the Younger (from the Internet Ancient History Sourcebook) Use print preview or you will get over 100 pages! 1. XXXVIII* To Fabatus* On Patronage 2. LIV* To Marcellinus* Death of a Friend’s Daughter 3. LIX, LX To Calpurnia To his wife 4. LXXII* To Maximus* About gladiators 5. C To Junior On Boys will be boys Pliny to Tacitus on the Eruption of Vesuvius (from Eyewitnesstohistory.com) Letters between Pliny & the Emperor Trajan (from the Internet Ancient History Sourcebook)
Tuesday Oct. 25		Life on the frontier: the Vindolanda Tablets	Ward, et al. IV. 26 Imperial Culture & Society - p. 341 - 364 For a nice intro to Vindolanda: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/vindolanda_01.shtml Read tablets: 154, 156, 168, 261, 291, 301, 310, 311, 346 (from: Vindolanda Tablets Online)
Thursday Oct. 27		Presentations: Home, sweet home	Ward, et al. V.27 Conflicts & Crises - Commodus & the Severi - p. 365 - 379 Presentation 2 (50 pts)
Tuesday Nov. 1		Civis Romanus sum - life in the empire	Ward, et al. V.28 The Third Century Anarchy - p. 380 - 389
Thursday Nov. 3		Dura Europos - Pompeii of the sands	Ward, et al. V.29 Changes in Roman Life & Culture - p. 390 - 405
Tuesday Nov. 8	The Tetrarchy	East meets West - divide and rule	Ward, et al. V.30 - Diocletian - p. 406 - 417 Blog 3 - (25 pts)
Thursday Nov. 10		Rome and Christianity	Ward, et al. V. 31 Constantine & Christianity - p. 418 - 429 Martyrdom of Perpetua & Felicitas Acts of Paul & Thecla
Tuesday Nov. 15		Blues, greens, heretics and barbarians - Christian life in the later empire	Ward, et al. V.32 From Constantine to Theodosius - p. 430 - 436
Thursday Nov. 17		Presentations: Christianity	Ward, et al. V.33 The Evolving World of Late Antiquity - p. 437 - 451 V.34 Christianity & Classical Culture - p. 452 -470 Presentation 3 (50 pts)
Tuesday Nov. 22		A life in letters: Sidionius Apollinaris - living with barbarians	Ward, et al. VI.35 Germanic Takeover in the West - p. 471 - 485 Sidonius Apollinaris on Life in Barbarian Gaul (from Internet Medieval Sourcebook) Symmachus (c.340-c.402): Relation 3, 384 CE [At Calgary] via the Internet Ancient History Sourcebook
Thursday Nov. 24	Thanksgiving Holiday - no class
Tuesday Nov. 29		Justinian, Belisaurius, and the re-conquest of the West	Ward, et al. V.36 Justin & Justinian - p. 486 - 500 Blog 4 - (25 pts)
Thursday Dec. 1	The Legacy of Rome	Romans - Byzantines, Franks, and others	Ward, et al. V.37 The Transformation of the Late Antique Roman World - p. 501 - 515 V.38 The Church & the Legacy of Rome - p. 516 - 520

Grading

Total points = 350

95 - 100% A
90 - 94% A-
87 - 89% B+
84 - 86% B
80 - 83% B-
77 - 79% C+
74 - 76% C
70 - 73% C-
67 - 69% D+
64 - 66% D
60 - 63% D -
<= 59% E

Useful Websites

Livius.org - generally very good articles with nice illustrations and very good use of primary sources

VRoma - a community of teachers and students who create online resources about Latin and Rome

Ancient Rome in 3D - from Google Earth. You will need to download free software.

UNRV - History - started as a resource for an online roleplaying game, now its own entity. Generally good, short articles, but they are done by a variety of people, so evaluate!