Department of Humanities and Philosophy
Fall 2010
HUM 3990 Ancient Rome: Film and Reality
CRN 14279 W 4:30-7:15 pm LAR 243
Dr. Margaret W. Musgrove mmusgrove2@uco.edu
Office: LAR 205C (495) 974-5852
Office Hours: MWF 11-12, TR 2-3
Description
This course will use popular films that feature the culture of ancient Rome to examine common misconceptions and the truth behind them. In addition, the course will use these films to discuss ancient and modern attitudes toward controversial aspects of ancient
Roman culture (e.g., sexual behavior, slavery, religion, violence). Note that this is a course in ancient Roman culture, not in film history. Prerequisite: none.
Objectives
Students will read primary ancient sources and identify biases in those sources. Students will compare different ancient accounts of the same figures and events. After watching modern American films, students will be able to identify factual errors, accurate or inaccurate cultural artifacts, and modern attitudes.
Required materials and texts
1.
http://www.the-romans.co.uk/ A companion website to the book by Anthony
Kamm, The Romans; this site contains a basic cultural and historical introduction to ancient Rome.
2.
Plutarch: biographies of Julius Caesar, Crassus, Antony, Cicero, Brutus, and
Pompey. These are all available online through various sites (posted on WebCT) or available in two Penguin editions ( Makers of Rome and Fall of the Roman
Republic) .
3.
Suetonius: biographies of Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, and Nero.
Available online and in various translations (including a Penguin edition).
4.
Shakespeare, Julius Caesar . Any edition will do, but try to acquire a hard copy that you can bring to class.
5.
Other texts as assigned (handouts or online)
Grades

Each student will give an oral report of about 10 minutes on a different topic. A list of topics will be circulated.

There will be 4 reading quizzes over the various primary sources.

The mid-term and final exam will consist of short answer questions and essay questions.

The paper will be a research paper of about 7-10 pages on a topic to be decided in consultation with the instructor; paper topics will focus on Roman culture, with

modern films as a resource or point of departure. A schedule of deadlines for components of the paper will be handed out separately.
Grading Criteria oral report 20% average of 4 reading quizzes 20% mid-term 20% paper 20% final exam 20% (Final Exam: Wed. Dec. 15, 5:30-7:20 p.m.)
Grading scale: 90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; below 60% = F
Policies
1.
Attendance: Since we meet only once per week, missing a single class is the equivalent of missing three sessions of a MWF course. The class will meet 15 times. Students who miss two or more sessions may have their final grade lowered by one letter. Students who miss 5 times or more will be considered not to have taken the class and will receive an F.
2.
Late work: Oral reports must be given on the date scheduled. Late papers will have one letter grade deducted for each day late.
3.
Makeup work: Quizzes must be taken on the date scheduled. If you miss a quiz, you may take one makeup quiz (different topic) on a designated date at the end of the semester. Exams may be made up only with a serious, documented excuse.
4.
Readings: It is essential that you read the primary sources and the background material before coming to class. Only if we know our facts in advance can we be informed and critical viewers of the films. Hence the quizzes.
5.
General deportment: a.
Computers may only be used during class for class purposes (notetaking or reading online texts). Misuse of computers during class may result in their total banishment from class. b.
Please try to avoid walking in and out of class during a session. We will try to take breaks so that interruptions are unnecessary.
Turnitin.com Plagiarism Statement
UCO subscribes to the Turnitin.com plagiarism prevention service. Students agree that by taking this course, all required assignments may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to
Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted assignments will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com restricted access reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such assignments. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.com website. Turnitin.com is just one of various plagiarism prevention tools and methods which may be utilized by your faculty instructor during the terms of the semesters. In the UCO Student Handbook, there is a process for contesting any plagiarism allegations against you.
Student Information Sheet for Fall 2010
Print a copy or bookmark this page for handy information. http://broncho2.uco.edu/academicaffairs/FORMS/Student%20Information%20SheetFal1
0.pdf

HUM 3990: Ancient Rome: Film and Reality
Schedule
Week/Date
1.
(8/25) Introduction; preconceptions; background. Reading: Kamm (Origins,
Republic, Caesars)
2.
(9/1) The One that Started the Boom: Quo Vadis (1950); slavery, sex, gladiators, and Christians. Reading: Kamm (Religion, Life); Lucan ( Civil War I)
3.
(9/8) More Romans and Christians: The Robe (1953) Reading: Suetonius
(Tiberius, Caligula).
4.
(9/15) Fall of the Roman Republic: some important figures. Spartacus (1960).
Reading: Plutarch (Crassus).
5.
(9/22) Spartacus continued: gladiators. Reading: TBA
6.
(9/29) Romans and the provinces: Ben Hur (1959). Reading: TBA
7.
(10/6) The beginning of the end: The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964). Reading:
Kamm (Empire); Marcus Aurelius handout.
8.
(10/13) The Revival: Gladiator (2000). Reading: handout on Roman geography of the Empire and the city of Rome.
9.
(10/20) More of the end and the Roman army: King Arthur (2004). Reading:
Kamm (Army).
10.
(10/27) Julius Caesar, Part I: Cleopatra (1934). Reading: Plutarch (Caesar,
Antony, Brutus).
11.
(11/3) Julius Caesar, Part II: Two Shakespearean Caesars. Reading: Shakespeare,
Julius Caesar.
12.
(11/10) Julius Caesar, Part III: Cleopatra (1963). Reading: Suetonius (Julius
Caesar).
13.
(11/17) HBO Rome : Up close and personal: Women of the imperial family.
Reading: Suetonius (Augustus); Plutarch (Cicero).
14.
(12/1) Spoofing the ancient Romans: Mel Brooks, History of the World, Part I
(1981); Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979).
15.
(12/8) Review/Wrap-up
Final Exam: Wed. 12/15: 5:30-7:20 pm