AH30620 Roma: Caput Mundi

Academic Year 2020/2021

This Module sets out to explore the creation of the city of 'Roma, Caput Mundi', by all accounts, the greatest city in the world. Rome has been at the centre stage of civilisation since antiquity, perceived as caput mundi or capital of the world. This image has endured and the myth is perpetuated by the evidence of the sheer wealth of visible remains of city. In this module, it is intended to examine the history, literature, topography and imagery of the city of Rome as the city was shaped by changing circumstances and to reflect on the physical evidence of the art and architecture of the ancient city, on the one hand, and as time passed, on the manner in which Rome was depicted and understood in the early modern period on the other. This approach, by way of alternate contrasts of ancient and modern perceptions, will aim to assist in appraising Rome's enduring influence in both myth and in reality through different artistic styles from Ancient to Medieval, from Renaissance to Baroque and with a view of the impact of Rome as a nexus from 1800 onwards to the Modern period.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

The learning outcomes for students should be drawn from the course outline and the students should be aware of the morphology of the urban situation of 'Roma, Caput Mundi' as it changes over time maintaining the reputation as being the greatest city in the world. The students should comprehend the detailed profile of the topography of the city of Rome through the ages from antiquity to the present day. The students should be appraised of the material decoration and classical detailing of public and civic as well as domestic, recreational and religious buildings of the city. The student should be able to assess the influence of imperial patronage and architectural influence on the built environment from ancient Rome; and papal patronage from the Medieval period onwards.

Indicative Module Content:

The course will focus on parallel themes considering ancient topography and the building of the early modern city of Rome. The impact of the Christianising of Rome and its rebirth during the Medieval period is also considered. An important theme of the course of lectures will relate to the iconography, imagery and perception of Rome from the sixteenth through to the eighteenth century, when a lasting impression of the city was created in the artistic movement that grew out of travel and the Grand Tour, and through to the nineteenth century when many travellers and artists perpetuated the myth of Rome in their works of art. The city also acted as a backdrop for the historical events of the twentieth century which will also be considered.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

10
Seminar (or Webinar)

20
Field Trip/External Visits

6
Specified Learning Activities

95
Autonomous Student Learning

95
Total

226
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This course will be made up of live online lectures delivered with a distinct lecture- led component with some reflective practice and then recorded and posted on line plus student seminars which will be performed by students presenting their research material together with an online live participatory discussion. Field trips will also form part of the course: to the UCD Special Collections for module source materials and to Marsh's Library, Dublin for material on the 'Triumph of Antiquity' , as well as a close up view of a private collection of Piranesi engravings of as a part of the module. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Class Test: Slide Test Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

40
Attendance: Participation assessment Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

10
Continuous Assessment: Presentation; essay Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Online face-to-face feedback will be provided indiviually to students after their seminars.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Conor Lucey Tutor
Mrs Sarah Maguire Tutor