HUM 2251 - Heritage of the Western World: Rome and Christianity

1. Explain, through the use of examples, the following cultural studies concepts and principles associated with the ancient Roman world: world civilization; Iron Age civilizations vs. barbarian tribes; republic vs. empire; Roman imperialism in art and society; classic architecture; Roman virtue; Pax Romana; and Greco-Roman culture.
2. Articulate, in the student’s own words, concepts associated with such ancient Roman writers as Suetonius, Livy, Tacitus, Vergil, Lucretius, Marcus Aurelius, and Horace.
3. Articulate, in the student’s own words, such artistic expressions associated with the ancient Roman world such as: classical architecture and engineering; Roman sculpture; satire; comedy; and mythology.
4. Describe, in the student’s own words, the variety of cultures in existence throughout the Roman world.
5. Demonstrate an awareness of how Roman culture impacted and changed the culture of the people and territories they conquered and ruled.
6. Read, view, and/or listen to and then critically respond to primary sources.
7. Demonstrate an awareness of the scope of the social revolution in beliefs and values associated with the ancient Roman world.
8. Demonstrate an awareness of how primary sources studied not only create and reflect Roman ideas and culture, but also respond to Roman interaction with the provinces and the frontier of the Empire.
9. Formulate a discussion, both written and oral, which integrates any or all texts from the course into a personal response to the materials presented.
10. Analyze the emotional and intellectual messages embedded in ancient Roman texts studied; connect and discuss how these messages continue to have influence on how the Western world defines and responds to the globe.
11. Understand and be able to discuss the implicit and explicit symbolism common to the ancient Roman world; connect and discuss how this symbolism continues to be used by the Western world as a way to define and respond to the globe.
12. Identify, analyze, and discuss the formal elements of ancient Roman texts - visual as well as verbal; connect and discuss how these formal elements may continue to be used by the Western world as a way to define and respond to the globe.
13. Exhibit an ability to present an opinion based on ancient Roman texts rather than on the popular culture notions of the Ancient World.

1. Survey of the creative legacy of Ancient Rome
2. Major characteristics of the ancient Roman world
3. Examination of the informing ancient Roman civilization ideas, images, templates, and sounds which the Western Hemisphere shares with Europe
4. Response of the ancient Roman world to global influences
5. Examination of how the ancient Roman world contributes to the student’s own beliefs and America’s beliefs and values