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Roman Art and Archaeology

The objective of this course is to provide an overview of the culture of ancient Rome beginning about 1000 BCE and ending with the so-called "Fall of Rome". We will look at some of the key people who played a role in Rome, from the time of the kings through the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. We will also focus on the city of Rome itself, as well as Rome's expansion through Italy, the Mediterranean, and beyond.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to 'Roman Art and Archaeology'

Here you can find all of the introductory information, course syllabus, and helpful resources.

The Early Romans and Their Ancestors (ca. 1000 - 500 BCE)

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Teaches the history of ancient Rome from its origins to its fall, which is a foundational topic for understanding modern history

Introduces learners to key figures, including emperors, who played significant roles in the Roman Empire

Provides insights into the expansion of ancient Rome geographically and culturally, which is valuable for understanding the influence of ancient Rome on modern civilization

Examines the art, culture, and architecture of ancient Rome and its impact on Western civilization

Develops an understanding of the rise and fall of ancient Rome, which is a valuable historical case study

Taught by David Soren, an experienced instructor in ancient Roman history, archaeology, and art

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Reviews summary

Broad survey of roman art & archaeology

According to learners, this course offers a broad and engaging overview of Roman art and archaeology, covering a vast chronological span. Students consistently praise the instructor's deep knowledge and passionate delivery, making complex topics accessible. The course is structured in a clear, chronological manner, providing a solid foundation especially for beginners and hobbyists. While the readings are generally helpful, some reviewers note that the lecture material can occasionally feel superficial in parts due to the breadth covered. A recurring minor critique mentions variable production quality, specifically regarding audio or video clarity in some segments. However, the quality of the core content and instruction appears to outweigh these technical issues for the vast majority of students.

Quizzes sometimes feel nitpicky or misaligned.

"Quizzes were fair, but sometimes the questions felt nitpicky."

"The quizzes didn't always align well with the lecture material."

"The quizzes are okay, but I found myself wanting more engaging assessment methods."

"The quizzes helped reinforce the concepts discussed in lectures."

Provides a solid base, especially for beginners.

"A solid introduction to Roman art and archaeology... provides a good overview."

"Really enjoyed this course as a hobbyist with no prior background."

"It's a good foundation, but I think I'll need to supplement with other resources for a deeper understanding."

"Excellent course... Highly recommend for anyone interested in the subject, whether student or layperson."

"Good for beginners and those new to the topic."

Covers vast period, excellent historical context.

"Absolutely loved this course! The lectures were clear and engaging, covering a huge span of Roman history and material culture."

"A solid introduction to Roman art and archaeology. The structure is chronological and easy to follow."

"Really enjoyed this course as a hobbyist... It gives a broad scope from early Italy through the empire's decline."

"I appreciated the chronological approach and the inclusion of both art and architecture."

"Provides a very broad overview of art and archaeology from early Rome to the late Empire."

"Learned a lot about the timeline and development of Roman art and civilization."

Expert instructor passionate about the subject.

"Absolutely loved this course! The instructor is clearly passionate and knowledgeable."

"Fantastic course! Prof. [Instructor Name] is a superb lecturer. I learned so much..."

"Excellent course! Prof [Instructor Name] is extremely knowledgeable and presents the material in an accessible way."

"The instructor's enthusiasm is infectious. The quizzes reinforced the concepts."

"I appreciate how knowledgeable the instructor was and how well he knew the history of the region."

"The lecturer is very knowledgeable and good at communicating his knowledge."

Some lectures have poor audio/video quality.

"Disappointing. The audio quality in some lectures was poor..."

"Content is good but the production value is low. Some videos are hard to hear or have poor visuals."

"Could benefit from higher production quality in video and audio."

"Technical issues with sound quality sometimes made it difficult to follow."

Wide scope means less depth in specific areas.

"Some parts, like the early Republic, felt a bit rushed, but overall, it provides a good overview."

"The content felt superficial, jumping quickly through centuries without much detail."

"It's a good foundation, but I think I'll need to supplement with other resources for a deeper understanding."

"I wish there were more visuals or deeper dives into specific sites/artifacts."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Roman Art and Archaeology with these activities:

Review your notes from previous history courses

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Recall and reinforce your existing knowledge of Roman history.

Browse courses on Ancient Rome

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Gather your notes from previous history courses.
Review your notes.
Make any necessary updates or additions.

Read 'The History of Rome' by Theodor Mommsen

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Understand the broader historical context of ancient Rome.

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Gather your materials.
Read the introduction.
Read the chapters in order.
Take breaks as needed.
Make notes as you read.

Research Roman history

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Review some key aspects of the history of Ancient Rome, such as the founding of the city, the rise of the Republic, and the establishment and fall of the Empire.

Browse courses on Roman History

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Seven other activities

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Show all ten activities

Practice Roman numerals

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Practice converting Roman numerals to Hindu-Arabic numerals and vice versa.

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Find a website or app that generates Roman numeral conversion problems.
Practice converting Roman numerals to Hindu-Arabic numerals multiple times.
Practice converting Hindu-Arabic numerals to Roman numerals multiple times.

Watch Professor Hart's 'Fall of the Roman Empire' lectures

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Get an overview of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire with expert guidance.

Browse courses on Roman Empire

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Find the lectures online.
Set aside time to watch the lectures.
Take notes during the lectures.
Review the lectures later.

Practice identifying Roman emperors on online quizzes

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Improve your recognition and recall of Roman emperors.

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Find online quizzes.
Take the quizzes multiple times.
Review your results and learn from your mistakes.

Join a study group to discuss course topics

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Engage with peers and gain different perspectives on course material.

Browse courses on Ancient Rome

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Find or create a study group.
Meet regularly to discuss course topics.
Share notes, ideas, and questions.
Prepare for exams and assignments together.

Create a timeline of key events in Roman history

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Visualize and understand the chronology of major events in Roman history.

Browse courses on Roman History

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Gather information about key events.
Create a timeline using a tool or template.
Add the events to the timeline in chronological order.
Review and refine your timeline.

Write a short essay on the causes of the Punic Wars

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Apply your understanding to analyze a specific aspect of Roman history.

Browse courses on Roman History

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Research the Punic Wars.
Identify the main causes of the wars.
Write an outline for your essay.
Draft your essay.
Revise and edit your essay.

Contribute to the Wikipedia page on 'Ancient Rome'

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Engage with the scholarly community and deepen your understanding of ancient Rome.

Browse courses on Ancient Rome

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Create a Wikipedia account.
Find the Wikipedia page on 'Ancient Rome'.
Identify an area where you can contribute.
Write your contribution and cite your sources.
Submit your contribution for review.

Career center

Learners who complete Roman Art and Archaeology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Art historian

An Art Historian is responsible for the study of the history of art, including its techniques, styles, and meanings. They typically work in museums, galleries, or universities. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of Roman art and architecture, which will be essential for your success as an Art Historian.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art historian

Professor

A Professor is responsible for teaching and research in a college or university. They typically have a PhD in their field. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in Roman art and archaeology, which will be essential for your success as a Professor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Professor

Research Associate

A Research Associate is responsible for conducting research under the supervision of a senior researcher. They typically work in universities, research institutes, or museums. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in Roman art and archaeology, which will be essential for your work as a Research Associate.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Associate

Museum Educator

A Museum Educator is responsible for developing and delivering educational programs for museum visitors. They typically work in museums, galleries, or historical societies. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of Roman art and archaeology, which will be essential for your work as a Museum Educator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Educator

Curator

A Curator is responsible for the care and management of museum collections. They typically work in museums, galleries, or historical societies. This course will provide you with a broad understanding of Roman art and archaeology, which will be essential for your work as a Curator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curator

Archaeologist

An Archaeologist is responsible for the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts. This course in Roman Art and Archaeology will provide you with a strong foundation in the history, culture, and art of ancient Rome, which will be invaluable in your work as an Archaeologist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archaeologist

Historian

Historians study the past. They typically have a PhD in History. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of Roman history, which will be essential for your success as a Historian.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Architectural Historian

Architectural Historians study the history of architecture. They typically have a PhD in Architectural History. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of Roman architecture, which will be essential for your success as an Architectural Historian.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Historian

Architect

Architects design buildings and other structures. They typically have a Master's degree in Architecture. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of Roman architecture, which will be essential for your success as an Architect.

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Art dealer

Art Dealers buy and sell works of art. They typically have a strong knowledge of art history. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of Roman art, which will be essential for your success as an Art Dealer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art dealer

Cultural Anthropologist

Cultural Anthropologists study the culture and society of different groups of people. They typically have a PhD in Cultural Anthropology. This course will provide you with a broad understanding of Roman culture, which will be helpful in your work as a Cultural Anthropologist.

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Foreign Service Officer

Foreign Service Officers represent the United States abroad. They typically have a Master's degree in International Relations or a related field. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of Roman history and culture, which will be helpful in your work as a Foreign Service Officer.

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Art Therapist

Art Therapists use art to help people improve their mental and emotional health. They typically have a Master's degree in Art Therapy. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of Roman art, which will be helpful in your work as an Art Therapist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Therapist

Journalist

Journalists write and report on news and current events. They typically have a Bachelor's degree in Journalism or a related field. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of Roman history and culture, which will be helpful in your work as a Journalist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Librarian

Librarians help people find and use information. They typically have a Master's degree in Library Science. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of Roman history and culture, which will be helpful in your work as a Librarian.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Reading list

We've selected 16 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Roman Art and Archaeology.

The Art of Ancient Greece

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Provides a comprehensive overview of Roman art, from its Etruscan origins to its late antique transformations. It would be a valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the artistic styles and techniques of the Romans.

Roman Art and Archaeology

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Broad survey of roman art & archaeology

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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