Course Syllabus

Hum 110: Humanities in Republican and Imperial Rome California State University, Fresno Fall, 2013 (MMXIII) M 6:00-8:50, McKee-Fisk 202 (CCII) Schedule #73430 (III units) Prof: Curtis J. Eastin Office: Peters 335 (CCCXXXV) Hours: M 4:00-4:50, W 4:00-4:50 Phone: (559) 278-1108 email: cjeastin@csufresno.edu

If a man were called to fix the period in the history of the world, during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous, he would, without hesitation, name that which elapsed from the death of Domitian to the accession of Commodus. Edward Gibbon, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 1776

Roman civilization stands as one of humanitys greatest achievements. One might say Romes was a civilization that transcended all boundaries boundaries both figurative and physical of the ancient world into which it emerged. From humble origins, a tiny village made itself master of its world. Its government, legal system, literary sophistication, contributions to philosophy, entertainment, art and architecture, engineering, and military arts show but a few facets of its sweeping and dynamic culture. Many opinions prevail about Roman culture in our contemporary discourse. Was it decadent? What was the cause of its fall? What do we mean when we talk of the fall of Rome? Do we mean the end of the res publica (republic) and accession of the first emperor, Augustus? Or do we mean the sack of the Eternal city (410 and 455), or the abdication of Romes final emperor, Romulus Augustus, in 476, and with this latter the so-called end of Roman civilization itself? Will we in the Western worldmore specifically we here in the United Statessuffer a similar fate? Are we, too, destined to fall? Is Rome and romanitas expressed best by the severitas and gravitas of a republican icon like Cato the Elder; the military genius of a Julius Caesar; the mellifluent language of a Cicero; the Machiavellian political genius of Octavian, or the debauchery of a Caligula? Or was it the populus Romanus (the Roman people), and the many artists, writers, soldiers and citizens that made Rome great? In this course we shall inquire into the question: who were these people we call Romans? And no less to the point, who did the Romans themselves think they were? What did it mean to be a Roman? Our answers will prove significant. Because to study the Romans strange though they are to us moderns is to examine what sort of society we in our own modern age have.

Course Description: This course is an examination of the unique cultural environment of the ancient city of Rome and the people who made it, its art, architecture, literature, social and political structures, and their interrelationships as manifested during Republican and Imperial periods of Rome. Prerequisites: Junior and Senior standing only. G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area C. Required Texts: Apuleius, The Golden Ass (Oxford University Press, New York 1994) Livy, The Early History of Rome, Books I-V. (Penguin Classics, 2002) 9780140448092 Plautus, Pot of Gold and Other Plays (Penguin Classics, 1965) 9780140441499 Plutarch, Plutarch, The Makers of Rome (Penguin Classics, 1965) , The Fall of the Roman Republic (Penguin Ckassics, 1968) Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars (Penguin Classics, 1989) Virgil. Aeneid. Trans. Robert Fitzgerald (New York, 1983) 0679729526 Course Reading Packet (available at Kennel Bookstore)

Course Requirements: Attendance and participation: Map quiz: Midterm : Essay: Final Examination: Examinations and Major Assignments: 5% 5% 30 % 25 % 35 %

Grading Scale: 100-90 = A 89-80 = B 79-70 = C 69-60 = D 59 or lower = F

Attendance: This course depends, in part, on the active involvement of students, so attendance essential and will be documented. Students are expected to come to class on time and preparedhaving read the days assignmentready to answer any questions distributed/posted by the instructor. Classroom discussion will be considered as participation. NB: If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made while you were absent. Exams: The final exam will consist of short answer and multiple choice and matching questions; identification of key names, places, and terms; identification of passages from the assigned readings; and one or two short essay questions. For the passage selections, students will be expected to identify the author, the work, the speaker (if applicable), and provide the context and significance of the passage. Grading will be based on accuracy and analysis. Make-up policy: A make-up examination will be granted only for legitimate and documented emergencies. Students who find themselves in this situation must contact the instructor as soon as possible with documentation. Written Essay: The course essay (1200-1500 words) will address issues in Roman history, philosophy, culture and literary criticism, and will be evaluated on the use of primary sources and critical analysis of the assigned question. Grading will also be based on clarity of the thesis, the argument, and prose (English grammar and spelling), as well as the general presentation. Make-up policy: Late essays will not be accepted. NB: You must complete every assignment by the date of the final exam, or you will not receive credit for the course. Classroom Conduct: As one expects of the instructor, so the instructor expects of you. Please arrive to class prepared; turn off all electronic devices; and behave professionally and courteously throughout the class period. [N.B.: It is RUDE to text during class. Pay attention instead. Worst case scenario, you will learn one thing; best case scenario, you will learn many things.] Class preparation includes not only having completed the assigned reading but being prepared to participate in and contribute to class discussions via the corresponding questions which accompany each reading assignment. ****BRING THE ASSIGNED READING MATERIAL TO CLASS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE NOTES.*******

Course Goals and Primary Learning Outcomes: The study of Roman literature and culture cultivates intellect, imagination, sensibility and sensitivity in several ways: 1) learning the history of key themes such as the relation of reason to passion or the best form of government increases student knowledge; 2) reading and analyzing excerpts from masterpieces of Latin literature increases sensibility and sensitivity to poetry and philosophical ideas, thereby broadening imagination while at the same time cultivating via analysis an intellectual response to subjective emotional experience. Finally, an intimate knowledge of Latin literature and Roman culture, as well as its influences on later Western literature and culture, will result in the student's better understanding of the interrelationship between the creative arts, the humanities and the self. By studying the humanities in ancient Rome, students will come to understand, appreciate, and analyze the meaning of our civilization, its cultural background, and the nature and role of language. Modern European and American culture is in many of its essentials derived from ancient Roman culture, whether we are speaking of poetic forms, aesthetic assumptions, or philosophical ideas about the self and society, not to mention the role of Latin in influencing the English language: hence studying the humanities will promote an understanding of the development of contemporary civilization through its historical roots. Class Schedule (This syllabus is subject to revision by the instructor, provided that written or verbal notice is given in class.) Week of:
I Aug. 26 II Sept. 2 III Sept. 9 IV Sept. 16 V Sept. 23 VI Sept. 30 VII Oct. 7 Philosophy & Rhetoric Ciceropater patriae Commentarii Julius Caesarveni, vidi, vici. Cicero, selections (Reader) Caesar, selections (Reader) Plutarch, Life of Julius Caesar Plutarch, Life of Cicero

Topic
Introduction to the course Why study the Romans? Course outline: ab urbe condita to Empire The Regal Period The Regal Period Comedy: the voice of the republic Politics The Rise of Rome Lecture on the Roman Constitution Roman Expansion in the Mediterranean Mare Nostrum

Reading Assignment
Assigned readings posted in this column are due on the day they are listed. Intro to Livy, Book I Livy, Book I (cont.) Livy, Book I (cont.)
Books 2/5 selections

Plautus, Pseudolus; Watch A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Polybius, from The Rise of the Rome

Plutarch, Life of Cato the Elder Plutarch, Life of Tiberius Gracchus

VIII Oct, 14

IX Oct,21 X Oct. 28 XI Nov. 4 XII Nov. 11

Poetry and free speach Catullusodi et amo Imperium Sine Fine: Virgils Aeneid Imperium Sine Fine: Virgils Aeneid Roman, these are your arts Virgils Aeneid

Catullus, selections (Reader) Virgil, Aeneid: Books I, II, IV, VI & XII Virgil, Aeneid: Books I, II, IV, VI & XII Virgil, Aeneid: Books I, II, IV, VI & XII

Poetry Poeta nascitur non fitThe Augustan Poets XIII Nov. 18 Testimonial AugustusI found the city brick and left it marble. History & Biography, Satire, and the Ancient Novel: The Roman Empire (imperium sine fine) Empire (cont.) during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous Roman Empire (cont.)

Augustan poets (selections from the reader) Augustus, Res Gestae (reader)

XIV Nov. 25

Suetonius, Life of Tiberius & Life of Nero Selections from the reader

XV Dec. 2 XVI Dec. 9

The Golden Ass, read in toto

The Golden Ass, read in toto

See the following link for the Final Exam Schedule: http://www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/classschedule/finals/2013fall.html

Applicable University Policies 1. Students with Disabilities: Upon identifying themselves to the instructor and the university, students with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation. For more information, contact Services to Students with Disabilities in University Center Room 5 (278-2811). 2. Honor Code: Members of the CSU Fresno academic community adhere to principles of academic integrity and mutual respect while engaged in university work and related activities. You should: a) understand or seek clarification about expectations for academic integrity in this course (including no cheating, plagiarism and inappropriate collaboration) b) neither give nor receive unauthorized aid on examinations or other course work that is used by the instructor as the basis of grading. c) take responsibility to monitor academic dishonesty in any form and to report it to the instructor or other appropriate official for action. 3. Cheating and Plagiarism: "Cheating is the actual or attempted practice of fraudulent or deceptive acts for the purpose of improving one's grade or obtaining course credit; such acts also include assisting another student to do so. Typically, such acts occur in relation to examinations. However, it is the intent of this definition that the term 'cheating' not be limited to examination situations only, but that it include any and all actions by a student that are intended to gain an unearned academic advantage by fraudulent or deceptive means. Plagiarism is a specific form of cheating which consists of the misuse of the published and/or unpublished works of others by misrepresenting the material (i.e., their intellectual property) so used as one's own work." Penalties for cheating and plagiarism range from a 0 or F on a particular assignment, through an F for the course, to expulsion from the university. For more information on the University's policy regarding cheating and plagiarism, refer to the Class Schedule (Legal Notices on Cheating and Plagiarism) or the University Catalog (Policies and Regulations). 4. Computers: "At California State University, Fresno, computers and communications links to remote resources are recognized as being integral to the education and research experience. Every student is required to have his/her own computer or have other personal access to a workstation (including a modem and a printer) with all the recommended software. The minimum and recommended standards for the workstations and software, which may vary by academic major, are updated periodically and are available from Information Technology Services (http://www.csufresno.edu/ITS/) or the University Bookstore. In the curriculum and class assignments, students are presumed to have 24-hour access to a computer workstation and the necessary communication links to the University's information resources." 5. Disruptive Classroom Behavior: "The classroom is a special environment in which students and faculty come together to promote learning and growth. It is essential to this learning environment that respect for the rights of others seeking to learn, respect for the professionalism of the instructor, and the general goals of academic freedom are maintained. ... Differences of viewpoint or concerns should be expressed in terms which are supportive of the learning process, creating an environment in which students and faculty may learn to reason with clarity and compassion, to share of themselves without losing their identities, and to develop and understanding of the community in which they live . . . Student conduct which disrupts the learning process shall not be tolerated and may lead to disciplinary action and/or removal from class." 6. Copyright policy: Copyright laws and fair use policies protect the rights of those who have produced the material. The copy in this course has been provided for private study, scholarship, or research. Other uses may require permission from the copyright holder. The user of this work is responsible for adhering to copyright law of the U.S. (Title 17, U.S. Code). To help you familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, the University encourages you to visit its copyright web page: http://www.csufresno.edu/library/libraryinformation/campus/copyright/copyrtpolicyfull.pdf 5