The American Institute for Roman Culture
Engaging History Series Summer Programs
June 11-July 6, 2012
Application Deadline: March 15, 2012
Email inquiries: studyabroad[at]romanculture.org
Engaging History: Living Latin, Living History in Rome
Living Latin is an intensive program that brings students into contact with Rome's layers of history on a daily basis. Classroom instruction is expertly conducted by Ph.D. professors who are familiar with the city and its history. Instructors teach Latin grammar, syntax, and vocabulary through related readings (poetry and prose) from various periods in Rome's history. They also help students make Latin their own by using the best of modern-language teaching techniques.
Morning classroom teaching is followed with afternoon walks through the city reading ancient authors in the locations where history happened, as well as reading inscriptions in their original locations. Each Saturday will include a day trip outside the city with related readings.
Engaging History: Ancient Rome and Roman Culture
Examinesthe politics, economics, religion, social structure, daily life, physical infrastructure, art, and historical development of Rome, from its beginning to the 6th century AD. The morning on-site lectures will also offer numerous opportunities to discuss important issues such as conservation/ preservation of cultural heritage, new and ongoing excavations, and technology and media in the humanities. Self-guided afternoon assignments will introduce the successive historical periods, from the Medieval/ Renaissance to the present day.
Designed for majors and minors in Classics, ancient/ Classical civilization, history, art history, ancient history, archaeology, anthropology, and religious studies.
Engaging History: Media Studies in Rome
Besides gaining a grasp of the overall historical framework, main protagonists, and key sites and collections, students will learn through on-site exploration and study, including hot topics such as digital/virtual archaeology (latest immersive displays in new sites), and media and video production. Students will come away with a solid grasp of the layout of the modern and ancient city, its history, and its development through time, as well as a completed media project that communicates one or more aspects of Roman culture to a broad audience in a compelling way.
Designed for majors and minors in journalism/communications, photography, and media/film.
Engaging History: Roman Archaeology
The course will offer students an introduction to important disciplines affiliated with archaeology such as artifact studies, paleobotany, geology/geomorphology, remote sensing of the environment (aerial photography, geophysical prospection), and the application of digital technologies to archaeology (video documentation, laser positioning and scanning, virtual reality, photogrammetry, geographic information systems), as well as to emerging sub-fields such as speleo-archaeology.
Students will also learn about the fundamental aspects of doing archaeology in Rome. How are the two Roman archaeological services (municipal and national) structured and operated? Which sites are managed by each service? How is an application for a research project involving access to museum collections or excavation prepared and submitted? How are photographic reproduction rights obtained? How do the Italian and international laws on cultural heritage function as deterrents to illegal trafficking of artifacts? Where are the major research libraries located, and how is access to them obtained?
Designed for advanced undergraduates, postgradutes/post-baccalaureates, and graduate students in archaeology, ancient history, Classics, and Classical archaeology.