Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS)150: Ancient Rome

CAMS 150 examines the features and development of the physical world of the ancient Romans. Beginning with the earliest evidence for material culture in and around the city of Rome, we will proceed to examine how both the Roman city and the material objects associated with Roman life (including art, architecture, and technology), developed and changed as Roman influence expanded, Roman culture came into contact with neighboring cultures, and Roman rule came to dominate the Mediterranean basin. The course focuses on the city of Rome, but will also examine several other cities and sites, including Pompeii and Ostia. We shall attempt to understand the development of urban and extra-urban space in Rome, and how Roman material culture reflected cultural forces present in Rome and elsewhere in the Roman world. Toward these ends, we shall read literary sources pertaining to the physical landscape of the city and Roman art, as well, and discuss the outlines of Roman history when appropriate.

What will I learn in this course?

At the conclusion of this course, you should be able to:

    1. Understand the development of urban and extra-urban space in Rome
    2. Understand how Roman material culture reflected cultural forces present in Rome and elsewhere in the Roman world

This course meets the General Education Humanities (GH) requirements, the International Cultures (IL) requirements, and the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. See your advisor if you have questions about how this course can be used in your program of study.

Are there any prerequisites for this course?

No specific classes are required before taking CAMS 150.

I've never taken an online course before. What is it like?

This course is taught completely online. We'll use Penn State's course management system, ANGEL, for CAMS 150, and you will be able to communicate with the professor and your classmates through chat, e-mail, and threaded discussions within ANGEL.

You do not need to come to campus at any time, and you do not need a proctor or remote testing site.

However, an online course is not easier than on-campus course. In fact, it takes a lot more self-discipline. You must be willing and able to commit the same amount of time as you would for attending class and studying for a traditional course. You must also be a motivated, organized student who feels confident about reading to learn and who is comfortable working independently. If you're wondering whether an online course is right for you, take this short survey to find out more about how online learning is different.

What are the technological requirements for this course?

To complete this course, you must have the following equipment or capabilities:

  1. have access to a computer that meets the ANGEL technological requirements.
  2. have Quicktime installed on your computer to view embedded Quicktime files.
How is the course structured?

This online course consists of 15 lessons and runs for 15 weeks in the fall and spring semesters.  Course lessons consist of narrated slideshow files, which you can view through ANGEL.  In addition, you will collaborate with a group of your classmates in an online project using VoiceThread, an application that can be accessed through ANGEL or through VoiceThread’s own website (voicethread.com). You do not need any special software or hardware to use VoiceThreads. 

There will be three online quizzes and an online comprehensive final exam. 

Where can I get more information?

For more information about CAMS 150 Online, see a recent course syllabus. To register, visit the Office of the University Registrar. At the beginning of each semester, all enrolled students should access CAMS 150 at the site of Penn State's course management system, ANGEL.

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Roman Marble Head of Niobe

The ill-fated queen of Thebes, Niobe boasted of her superiority to Leto because the goddess only had two children, the twins Apollo and Artemis, while Niobe had fourteen children (the Niobids), seven male and seven female. The children were slaughtered by Apollo for her hubris.

Wikipedia: public domain

The Algiers Relief with Mars, Venus and Divus Julus

The pairing of Venus (presented as the classical Aphrodite type, according to Zanker's Macht der Bilder5) with Mars, both on the pediment and inside the temple, would have inevitably recalled their illicit love affair immortalized by Homer, regardless of any attempt to shift the focus to their role of ancestors of Augustus.

Wikipedia: public domain