Course Syllabus

Printable Version of the Syllabus (from past version of this course): ARCH_0520_RomanArchaeology.pdf

Assignments:

1) The Intellectual Uses of Russell Crowe — Gladiator (due in class)

Watch the movie, ‘Gladiator’ (or any other professorially-approved ‘Rome’ movie/TV show; there are a TON out there). Identify an item of material culture (building, object, ‘thing’) that is important to the plot and structure of the movie, and write a brief explanation of what it is, and how and why your choice is so effective in the film’s context.

Points for finding and discussing something a bit different! (picking the Flavian Amphitheater, aka the Colosseum, is not inspiring).

Final product should involve the equivalent of at least two pages of written work.

2) Rome Conquers the RISD Museum (due in class)

You will be given a ‘scavenger hunt’ to complete on a visit to be made, individually or in very small groups, to the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. In addition, select one artifact or art work on display that dates to the Roman period, and EITHER write a detailed description of it, explaining its style, craftsmanship and function (using readings for class, and independent research; we can supply bibliography) OR craft a fictional account (prose, poetry) that somehow involves or revolves around the piece — putting it back in its original Roman context, or retailing its history since ancient times. Be creative.

The ‘scavenger hunt’ will be posted to the class wiki two weeks before the assignment is due.

Final product (apart from the ‘scavenger hunt’) should involve the equivalent of at least three pages of written work.

Scavenger Hunt: ARCH0520_RISD_Museum_Assignment.docx

3) Do It Yourself Rome (due in class)

Re-enact, and document for posterity, some aspect of ‘daily life’ in ancient Rome. Cook a Roman dish. Wrap yourself in a Roma toga or stola. Recreate a Roman funeral. Perform a mock Roman sacrifice. Play a Roman game. Anything as long as it doesn’t end in blood, death or dismemberment, pretty much anything goes.

We might ask people to do re-enactments in class, but the assignment is to ‘try this at home’ and record it with video or photography, with a short written description of what lay behind your choice, how you did it, and how pleased you were (or surprised you were) by the result.

Bibliography to be drawn from the readings for class, or to be supplied as needed.

Final product should involve the equivalent of at least three pages of written work, as well as imagery.

4) Rome Rebuilt at Brown (due in class)

Wander the Brown campus and/or Providence, and locate and document (through video, photos, performance art, drawings or written descriptions) at least five places that are unquestionably influenced by Roman architectural models.

For inspiration, watch ‘Classical Providence: landscapes, monuments, rediscovery’ [link] but extra credit to people who find examples not on display there.

Final product should involve the equivalent of at least three pages of written work, as well as imagery.