This course is a survey of the political, social and cultural history of ancient Rome from the earliest times to the Byzantine era.
Credits: 3
Hours: 45 (Lecture Hours: 45)
Total Weeks: 15
Prerequisites:
First year history course
OR consent of Instructor.
Non-Course Prerequisites:
None
Co-requisites:
None
Course Content:
- Course Introduction
- Early Roman Society
- Early Rome to 500: Social Values
- Rise of the Republic and Conquest of Italy
- The First Punic War
- The Second Punic War
- Imperialism, East and West
- Transformation of Roman Life; Social changes
- Gracchi and Land Reforms; Breakdown of the System
- Marius and Sulla; Ambitions and Crises
- The Rise and Fall of Caesar
- Last Days of the Republic
- The Augustan Age
- Claudius, Nero and the Conquest of Britain
- The Flavian Dynasty and the Good Emperors
- Culture and Thought, Pre- and Post Augustan
- Changes and Conflicts; Third Century Anarchy
- Diocletian reforms and Constantine Empire Building
- From Constantine’s Dynasty to Theodosius the Great
- Christianity and Classical Culture in the 4th Century
- Fifth-Century West
- Survival of the Empire; Justinian’s Autocracy
- Universal Empire
- Rome After the Fall
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
- Understand how the Roman state came to dominate the ancient Mediterranean
- Explain the limits and problems the Romans faced when governing an empire
- Explain the fall of the Roman Republic and the transformation into an empire
- Discuss the forces of integration within the Roman Empire and its legacy
- Explain the legacy of Roman political and social institutions
Learning Objectives:
- To learn as much about the history of ancient Rome as our time and format permits |
- To make this period of history interesting to you without sacrificing academic integrity
- To encourage precision in the way you think and in the way you express that thinking
- To develop your ability to critically analyze, appreciate and effectively use cultural information
- To develop skills in research, and written and oral communication.
- To have gained an appreciation of classical history as a distinct academic discipline, understanding its unique outlook, scope and methods and what distinguishes it from other disciplines
Grading System: Letters
Passing Grade: D (50%)
Percentage of Individual Work: 95
Percentage of Group Work: 5
Textbooks:
Textbooks are subject to change. Please contact the bookstore at your local campus for current book lists.