Course Description & Objectives
        Between classical and medieval, pagan and Christian, Roman and "barbarian", the late antique world was a civilization in transition.  This course will focus on the Mediterranean region from the end of the second to the beginning of the seventh century.  We will examine political, cultural, religious and socio-economic transitions that characterized this period looking at elements of continuity as well as change.  We will consider the significance of such factors as the conversion of Constantine, the rise of Constantinople, Christian responses to culture, the monastic movement, the persistence of paganism, the fall of Rome, barbarian invasions, Christianization, and developments in philosophy, theology and education.

        The course has two complementary goals:
        1. To familiarize students with the cultures and societies that co-existed around the Mediterranean in the late antique era (from approximately 150 to 650 CE) and introduce students to the principle developments and events that shaped and changed the Mediterranean world during this period.
        2. To help students acquire a critical and analytical approach to history in general through careful reading, writing about and discussion of primary and secondary sources.

Reading
        The following books are required and available for purchase at Gator Textbooks:

             Peter Brown, The World of Late Antiquity
             Robert Wilken, The Christians as the Romans Saw Them
             Ammianus Marcellinus, The Later Roman Empire
             St. Augustine, Confessions
             Procopius, The Secret History
             
            Recommended:  Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks (This text is available on-line, but since we will be reading                     major portions, you may prefer to purchase an inexpensive Penguin edition through Amazon.com or at another bookstore.)

        In addition, rather than buy a thick and expensive course packet, you will read many important primary sources (either whole texts or excerpts) in the Internet Medieval Sourcebook and the Internet Ancient History Sourcebook.  These sources will eventually be accessible through links on the course web page.  At times you will be asked to bring a printed copy of a reading to class for the purpose of discussion.

        Note: You should come to lecture each day already having read whatever is listed for that day on the class schedule.  Whatever reading is assigned is fair game for a pop quiz.

Course Requirements

Attendance, Reading, Participation
        Students are required to attend all class meetings.  You will miss lectures and discussions at your own peril since we will often cover material that is not included in your survey.  If you must miss a lecture due to illness or some other unavoidable conflict be sure to get notes from another member of the class.  Absences will adversely affect your grade for the course.  3 missed classes will result in a half grade reduction on your final grade; each additional absence will result in a futher half grade reduction.
        Though this is primarily a lecture course, at least some time during most class periods will be devoted to questions and/or discussion.  On 7 or 8 class days during the semester we will devote a more substantial period of time to discussion of the readings.  You will also be asked to write short (1-paragraph to 1-page) responses to primary source texts we are discussing.  These short assignments will count toward your participation grade for the course.  Your short (2-page) written response to the reading of Augustine's Confessions will receive a separate grade.  Occasional pop quizzes will also be administered.  These quizzes will be based on the assigned reading.

Two Short Papers
        a) The first paper will be a 3-page (800-900 word) analysis of a chapter in Robert Wilken’s book The Christians as the Romans Saw Them.  Although your paper will focus on a chapter of your choice, you must hand in notes on the entire book.  Further description of this paper assignment will be given in class.

         b) The second paper, approximately 6 pages in length will be a chronicle or autobiographical account covering a short period of the late antique world and written in the voice of a late antique man or woman of a particular geographical region.  For example, one might adopt the persona of a Roman senator, an Egyptian monk, a wealthy ascetic woman, a barbarian soldier, a pagan philosopher, a North African peasant or a Gallic aristocrat.
        Creativity is encouraged in the composition of these chronicles!  However, any descriptions of geography, culture(s) or major events must be historically accurate and based on solid research.  You must also submit your paper topic to me for approval before you start writing.  This paper is due in class the last day, April 19, or in my office by noon on Thursday, April 25.  It must include a bibliography of sources consulted in research, and it may also incorporate footnotes.

Mid-Term and Final Exam
        The mid-term and final exams will include a combination of objective questions (multiple choice/short-answer/ identifications) and essays.  These exams will be designed to test both your mastery of significant details (who, what, when, where) of the history the course covers and your ability to synthesize details and themes in support of a coherent argument.

Policies
        In writing papers, be certain to give proper credit whenever you use words, phrases, ideas, arguments, and conclusions drawn from someone else’s work.  Failure to give credit by quoting and/or footnoting is PLAGIARISM and is unacceptable. Please review the University’s honesty policy at http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/academic.htm

        Late work will not be accepted without penalty.  Please make every effort to apprise the instructor of adverse circumstances that affect your ability to complete assignments on time.  Official documentation is required to schedule make-up assignments.  Forged or invalid documentation will be investigated and presented to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs for review.

        Please do not hesitate to contact the instructor during the semester if you have any individual concerns or issues that need to be discussed. Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office (http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drp/).  The Dean of Students Office will provide
documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the instructor when requesting accommodation.

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