The course aims at providing students with background knowledge of the fundamentals of Classical Archaeology. It will mainly focus on Greek and Roman architecture, with particular attention to the architectural elements of buildings, in order to foster undegraduates’ understanding of the issues relating to the anastylosis of ancient monuments.

The aim of the course is to make students familiar with Greek and Roman architecture, sculpture and pottery after introducing them to terminology, types of monuments, sources, methods of analysis and select bibliography. Undergraduates will have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge taking part in excavation and restoration campaigns both in the Archaeological Park of Forum Sempronii and other sites along the ancient Via Flaminia in July, August and September. 

Course topics:

1. Introduction to the Classical Archaeology

2. Greek sculpture from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period

3. Outlines of Greek architecture

4. Greek building materials and techniques

5. The Doric order: characteristics and applications. Anastylosis problems

6. The Acropolis of Athens

7. Greek ceramics of the archaic and classical age 

8. Outlines of Roman architecture

9. Roman building materials and techniques

10. Roman sculpture: the portrait and the historical relief

11. Roman ceramics: the terra sigillata and pareti sottili techniques. The coarse pottery

12. Greek and Roman painting

13. The Greek and Roman floors: cocciopesto, mosaics, opus spicatum

14. Rome: the imperial fora. The Trajan column

15. Selinunte: the eastern hill. Anastylosis and restoration problems: Temple G

16. The archaeological excavation and restoration: the case of Forum Sempronii 

17. The archaeological excavation and restoration: the activity of the Archaeological Mission of the University of Urbino in Cyrene

Students should have general knowledge of Greek and Roman history.

The student will be evaluated according to the following learning outcomes:

1. Knowledge of the main problems related to Greek and Roman archeology and understanding of the various phases of the history of ancient art.

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding in the context of the discipline.

3. Acquisition of critical skills and independent judgment in relation to the issues addressed during the course; ability to synthesize and scientifically interpret archaeological data.

4. Communication skills and use of a language appropriate to the characteristics of the subject.

5. Learning skills aimed at acquiring the bases for any future knowledge in the historical-artistic and archaeological field. 

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Visits to archaeological sites, museums and monuments.

Teaching

Frontal lessons.

Attendance

Attendance is not mandatory but strongly recommended.

Deepening essay.

Course books

Classical Archaeology:

T. Hölscher, L’Archeologia Classica. Un’introduzione. Roma, L’Erma di Bretschneider, 2010.   

Greek archaeology:

A. Giuliano, Storia dell’arte greca, Carocci editore

G. Bejor, M. Castoldi, C. Lambrugo, Arte greca, Mondadori

Roman archaeology:

M. Papini, Arte romana, Mondadori 

R. Bianchi Bandinelli, Roma. L’arte romana nel centro del potere, BUR  

Further bibliography will be provided during the lessons.

The course texts will be available at the archaeological library (Palazzo Albani, Via del Balestriere 2).

Assessment

Oral examination.

The exam will have an evaluation on a scale from 18 to 30 and shall comprise the presentation of the essay assigned to each student and several follow-up questions on the topics of the course. The acquisition by the student of critical abilities and autonomy of judgment with regard to the issues of the course and also the use of an appropriate speech to the characteristics of the subject will be verified. The student will also have to demonstrate his understanding of the main notions of urban planning, architecture and Roman art.

Evaluations of excellence: excellent critical and in-depth skills; ability to orientate himself within the discipline and to establish links between the main issues addressed during the course; use of an appropriate language.

Good evaluations: good critical and in-depth skills; ability to establish links between the main issues addressed during the course; use of an appropriate language. 

Sufficient evaluations: achievement of a basic knowledge of the topic of the course and of the main problems inherent to the discipline; use of a language that is not completely appropriate.

Negative assessments: lack of basic knowledge of the discipline, training gaps; use of an inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students are required to contact the professor to discuss the exam program.

Attendance

Attendance is not mandatory but strongly recommended.

Deepening essay.

Course books

Classical Archaeology:

T. Hölscher, L’Archeologia Classica. Un’introduzione. Roma, L’Erma di Bretschneider, 2010.   

Greek archaeology:

A. Giuliano, Storia dell’arte greca, Carocci editore

G. Bejor, M. Castoldi, C. Lambrugo, Arte greca, Mondadori

Roman archaeology:

M. Papini, Arte romana, Mondadori 

R. Bianchi Bandinelli, Roma. L’arte romana nel centro del potere, BUR  

Assessment

Oral examination.

The exam will have an evaluation on a scale from 18 to 30 and shall comprise the presentation of the essay assigned to each student and several follow-up questions on the topics of the course. The acquisition by the student of critical abilities and autonomy of judgment with regard to the issues of the course and also the use of an appropriate speech to the characteristics of the subject will be verified. The student will also have to demonstrate his understanding of the main notions of urban planning, architecture and Roman art.

Evaluations of excellence: excellent critical and in-depth skills; ability to orientate himself within the discipline and to establish links between the main issues addressed during the course; use of an appropriate language.

Good evaluations: good critical and in-depth skills; ability to establish links between the main issues addressed during the course; use of an appropriate language. 

Sufficient evaluations: achievement of a basic knowledge of the topic of the course and of the main problems inherent to the discipline; use of a language that is not completely appropriate.

Negative assessments: lack of basic knowledge of the discipline, training gaps; use of an inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Contact:

Office: Palazzo Albani, via del Balestriere 2 - Urbino.

Phone: 0722 303766

email: oscar.mei@uniurb.it