Time Schedule:
Alain M. Gowing
HSTAM 330
Seattle Campus
Detailed study of the history and culture of the reign of Augustus, the first Roman emperor (31 BC-AD 14). Includes readings in Augustan authors such as Virgil, Ovid, and Horace as well as the study of Augustan art and architecture. Offered: jointly with CLAS 330.
Class description
This course will examine all aspects of the Age of Augustus (31 BC - AD 14), a period of profound political and cultural change that permanently altered the course of Roman history. The history, politics, literature, art, architecture, and religion of the period will all come under scrutiny as we investigate the various ways in which Rome's first emperor sought to repair and redirect a society fragmented by years of civil war -- and the various ways in which the citizens of Rome reacted to the Augustan reforms. The readings will be drawn largely from primary texts, including Augustus' own account of his rule (the Res Gestae); selections from the works of Vergil, Ovid, Horace, and other Augustan writers; Suetonius' Life of Augustus; and numerous inscriptions illustrating various aspects of life in Rome as well as in the provinces.
A previous syllabus used the last time this class was taught (Winter Quarter 2002) may be viewed at http://faculty.washington.edu/alain/CLAS.HSTAM330/330syl02.htm
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Lecture; discussion
Recommended preparation
No prerequisites.
Class assignments and grading
Midterm Examination and Final Examination. Both exams will consist of short answer and brief essay questions. While the final exam will focus principally on material covered in the second half of the course, familiarity with the issues covered in the first half will be assumed. In addition, students will write two 3-5 page papers in the course of the quarter. These are not traditional research papers. Rather, the principal aim of each paper is to have the student compose something (for example, a letter, fragment of a history, etc.) addressing a particular topic from the perspective of a person living in the Augustan period. You may opt to to extra writing in order to earn W credit for this class.
Performance on exams and papers.
