Unless otherwise noted, each morning will consist of lectures, multimodal presentations, and group discussions about a topic concerning the history of the ancient Roman world. Each afternoon, groups will collaboratively develop lesson plans, pedagogical strategies, and projects related in some way to the material presented that morning.
Please note that this schedule will likely change over the course of the next few months. It is our goal to share a more detailed schedule, complete with accompanied resources and readings, by February 15, 2022. Please return to this page soon for more information.
Sunday, July 17 Arrival in St. Peter. Welcome dinner at Director Matt Panciera’s house.
Monday, July 18 The organization and infrastructure of Rome and various aspects of the Roman Forum.
Tuesday, July 19 Underlying planning, engineering, and key materials that were used in the basic elements (wall, column, colonnade, arch, vault, dome) of some generic Roman constructions (road, aqueduct, temple, basilica, house, bath).
Wednesday, July 20 Form, function, and symbolism of temple architecture in both traditional Roman temples but also non-traditional buildings like the Pantheon, and the importance of public ritual and sacrifice as seen in monuments like the Ara Pacis.
Thursday, July 21 The Roman military and the way it waged war as depicted on monuments like the column of Trajan; the celebration of Roman victories as seen on a variety of triumphal monuments in Italy and beyond.
Friday, July 22 Emperors and the ideology of empire as seen in the imperial fora of Augustus and Trajan and Hadrian’s villa at Tivoli. In the evening, we will gather to watch some episodes of HBO’s Rome and informally discuss pedagogical strategies.
Saturday, July 23 All day field trip to Minneapolis-St. Paul to see the classical collection at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and tour the twin cities followed by a group dinner.
Sunday, July 24 Day Off
Monday, July 25 Emperors and the ideology of empire as seen in coins, gems, cups, and statuary.
Tuesday, July 26 Mass entertainment, including the spectacles that took place in the Colosseum, chariot racing in the Circus Maximus, and foot races in the Stadium of Domitian.
Wednesday, July 27 Daily life in the cities of Ostia, Pompeii, and Herculaneum. Special focus on the role of the house, food, and sex in the ancient city.
Thursday, July 28 Bathing culture, street life, and the daily grind.
Friday, July 29 All day participant presentations that highlight examples of Roman material culture that were not covered earlier in the seminar and preview some of the lesson plans, pedagogical strategies, and projects that participants developed over the course of the seminar followed by a final group dinner.
Saturday, July 30 Departure from St. Peter.