History: Ancient Roman Culture &History

See Schedule of Courses for specific titles. Prerequisite: Three hours of History.

Summer travel course; OIE GoAbroad App Deadline: 1/27/2025 In-country dates 5/27/25-6/14/25; Location: Italy Instructor permission required; Program fee $4,576 minus $450 deposit; airline is additional; tuition is additional cross listed with CLAS 2990; total enrollment = 14 Out of Pocket Expenses (approx. $640) are additional Open to degree and PACE students; Special Topics courses cannot carry CC designations.

In this course students will learn about the history and culture of ancient Rome from the Iron Age (900-700 BCE) to the imperial period and the rule of Constantine. This course will be based in the city of Rome, which will be our classroom for three weeks. Through close readings of primary source texts pertinent to the ancient sites we visit, students will learn to synthesize historical, literary, and archaeological evidence to better understand the complex tapestry of events, identities, and voices of ancient Rome. Readings will combine primary sources (in English) such as Virgil, Livy, Tacitus, and Pliny, as well as modern scholarship and introductions to the archaeology and material culture of ancient Rome. In addition to ancient ruins, we will also visit churches, since many ancient sites became or were incorporated into the architecture and ritual life of early Christians. A typical day will include two sites visits with time for homework in the evening. Examples of site visits include, but are not limited to, the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill, the Colosseum, ancient Roman baths and stadia, the Vatican, as well as various churches and museums. There will be three trips, each lasting one day: the ancient port city of Ostia on the coast of Italy, the cave and dining hall of the emperor Tiberius in Sperlonga (also on the coast), and the monasteries of Subiaco. There will be an overnight trip to Naples, including a visit to Pompeii and a hike to the top of Mount Vesuvius. Students will be living in apartments shared with other participants and are expected to deliver short presentations about a topic on site. These topics will be assigned in advance.

Students are expected to complete all readings and assignments. Students are expected to attend all site visits and participate in all activities on the itinerary.

Students will complete short writing assignments and site worksheets, submit readings reflections, and deliver one site report.