THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
SUMMER SESSION II - 2015 SYLLABUS
COURSE TITLE:
THE BLACK DEATH IN ITALY – AD 1347-1350
COURSE NUMBER:
ANT 283
PRE/CO-REQUISITES:
5/21/2015
NONE
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
The Great Mortality : An Intimate History of the Black Death, the Most Devastating Plague of All Time / John Kelly. New York : HarperCollins Publishers, 2005. ISBN: 978-0–06–000693–8 (pbk.)
SELECTED READINGS:
CREDITS:
ONLINE THROUGH AUR - LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
3
INSTRUCTOR: RICHARD P. WATSON, PH.D.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: (The Black Death in Italy)
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to study the Black Death by experiencing firsthand where it occurred, and to see the consequences of a pandemic that killed as much as one half the
population of Italy and Europe in less than four years! Students will study descriptions of the Black Death
as recorded in eyewitness accounts, and will examine its biological, social, economic, political, and cultural
consequences through the eyes of modern scholars. By studying what the Black Death was, where it
occurred, and why it occurred where it did, students gain an understanding of how pandemics have, and
continue, to shape the world in which we live. From this geographical perspective students will study how
the Black Death provides an important analog to the spread, and potential consequences, of epidemic and
emerging diseases in the modern world.
This course contributes towards AUR General Education embedded skills requirements of oral
presentation and/or Information Literacy.
Additional Information on this course is available at: http://GeogWorld.com.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (CO)
The purpose of this class is to provide an overview of the Black Death in Italy during the mid-14th
Century. The study of the Black Death in this course is intended to provide a case study of a demographic
catastrophe that altered the world of the Late Middle Ages and set the stage for the subsequent
transformation of the Renaissance, but at a terrible human cost. The study of the Black Death and its
consequences offers insight into how humans adapted to the greatest depopulation ever faced in the
Western World prior to the 20th Century while providing a valuable analytical framework for
understanding human resilience and adaptability in the face of what surely was “The End of The World.”
•
•
•
•
Expose students to a natural phenomenon that changed the world and shaped the future in
only four years.
Engage students in an analysis of the biological processes, geographic, and cultural
mechanisms by which the Black Death spread throughout Italy and Europe in the Late
Middle Ages.
Expose students to the broad impact of the Black Death on the social, economic, political,
and cultural consequences of the Black Death.
Engage students in a critical assessment of whether a similar pandemic can occur today and
the potential consequences of a modern “Black Death.”
1
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
SUMMER SESSION II - 2015 SYLLABUS
5/21/2015
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to accomplish the following
outcomes.
1
Demonstrate knowledge of the essential aspects of the Black Death in the Late Middle
Ages in Italy and Europe using the historical, cultural, and geographical studies
frameworks.
2
Compare and contrast alternative explanations for the Black Death and its impact on Italy
and Europe as a whole.
3
Critically analyze the consequences of the Black Death from an historical, cultural, and
geographic perspective, identifying key issues and themes.
4
Analyze the implications of the Black Death as an analog to the epidemic and emerging
diseases facing the modern world.
5
Demonstrate information literacy skills that enable them to conduct high quality
bibliographical research, consult academic electronic sources, and master citation
techniques with competence and in accordance with anti-plagiarism standards and
regulations.
6
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding through original academic and/or creative
works that show a considered understanding of the nature and consequences of the Black
Death stemming from their study of its impact on Central Italy in AD 1347-1350.
7
Demonstrate effective communication through presentation of their findings and/or
creations to the class using appropriate media, technology, and visual aids.
COURSE LEARNING ACTIVITIES
COURSE ACTIVITIES
CLO
Out of class reading and writing assignments: Students will read the assigned
texts for each class session in preparation for seminar style discussion.
1-4, 6
In class discussions: Students will participate in discussions; sustain their views
and ideas using the appropriate geographical and historical lexicon.
Oral presentations: Students will choose a topic from a provided list as the basis
for an oral presentation to the class. The presentation will use appropriate
technology and/or media.
In-class and on-site lectures: Lectures will provide guided observation, analysis,
and discussion of relevant issues.
Preparation of a research paper, portfolio, video or other creative work:
Students will prepare a research paper, portfolio, video, short story, screenplay or
other creative work on the same topic selected for oral presentation to the class.
1-4, 6
2
5-7
1-4
5-7
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
SUMMER SESSION II - 2015 SYLLABUS
5/21/2015
ASSESSMENT METHODS AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Assessment Methods and Course Requirements
Percent Grade
Grade Points
Course Requirements
Students will be required to participate, i.e. attend all in-person class
sessions, to read the assigned materials, and to participate in class
discussions and exercises. (100 pts)
Write a 3-5 page synthesis paper comparing and contrasting 2 or more of
the course readings. (100 pts)
Submit a 1-2 page proposal describing the proposed Final Project
research/portfolio topic. The Final Project Proposal will be submitted as a
draft proposal. The draft proposal will be reviewed by the Instructor and
returned with comments allowing sufficient time for revisions prior to the
submission of the final proposal. (100 pts)
Prepare a 15-20 page paper/portfolio that addresses one of the major
themes discussed in the course. (The paper/portfolio can consist of: a
formal research paper with complete citations; an original themed
photographic, video, short story, play, screenplay, art portfolio - of no
fewer than 10 pages (30 Original Photos), or one or more original videos
totaling approximately 7 minutes. This assignment should illustrate one of
the major course themes addressed in the course as listed below.) (500 pts)
• Biology and Epidemiology of the Black Death
• Demographic Consequences of the Black Death
• Social Consequences of the Black Death
• Economic Consequences of the Black Death
• Political Consequences of the Black Death
• The Black Death and The Arts
• Implications of the Black Death for the modern world
Students will present the results of their final research paper/portfolio to
the class using appropriate technology and/or media. (200 pts)
TOTAL
3
10%
100
10%
100
10%
100
50%
500
20%
200
100%
1000
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
SUMMER SESSION II - 2015 SYLLABUS
5/21/2015
Class Schedule
Class
Meetings
Discussion Topic
Day
Date
R
2nd
F
3rd
M
6th
T
7th
Topic 1: The Biology of the Black Death and Its Demographic Consequences
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
Session 4
Course Introduction & What was the Black Death Anyway? – The
Biology and Epidemiology of the Bubonic Plague.
DISCUSSION OF FINAL PROJECT
Introduction to the Black Death in Italy – How did it get here, and where
did it go?
The Evidence for the Black Death – What do we know about the Black
Death and how do we know it?
PAPER/PORTFOLIO PRE-PROPOSAL DUE!
The Consequences – The Death Toll in Italy and Europe.
PAPER/PORTFOLIO PRE-PROPOSAL RETURNED WITH
COMMENTS
Session 5
What Happened When Half of the Population Died?
W
8th
Session 6
Field Trip 1 - The Black Death in Italy (Off Campus)
FINAL PAPER/PORTFOLIO PROPOSAL DUE!
R
9th
Topic 2: Introduction to the Medieval Period and the Social Consequences of the Black Death
Session 7
Session 8
Session 9
The Cultural and Historical Background of the Medieval Period: What
Was Life Like in the Middle Ages?
The Geographic Background of the Medieval Period: Mapping the
Middle Ages
The Maintenance and Breakdown of the Social Order.
M
13th
T
14th
W
15th
Topic 3: The Economic and Political Consequences
Session 10
Trade, Food, and The Spread of the Black Death.
R
16th
Session 11
The Breakdown of the Economic System.
M
20th
Session 12
Political Efforts to Halt the Spread of the Black Death: Successes and
Failures.
T
21st
Topic 4: The Cultural Consequences & Implications of the 14th C Black Death for the Modern World
Session 13
The Consequences of the Black Death: The Redistribution of Wealth and
Power.
SYNTHESIS PAPER DUE!
W
22nd
Session 14
The Black Death, Art, and Religion.
R
23rd
Session 15
Field Trip 2 - The Black Death in Rome (Off Campus)
M
27th
T
28th
W
29th
Session 16
Session 17
Can it happen again? Is Ebola the 21st Century Black Death?
Implications for the modern world.
FINAL PRESENTATIONS & COURSE SUMMARY
FINAL PROJECT DUE!
4
GRADE CALCULATION:
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
SUMMER SESSION II - 2015 SYLLABUS
5/21/2015
Course Grades will be assigned in accordance with the AUR Grade System.
AUR Grade Values
Points/Percent Grade
Ranking
94.00 – 100.00
A
“Excellent”
90.00 – 93.99
A87.00 – 89.99
B+
83.00 – 86.99
B
“Good”
80.00 – 82.99
B77.00 – 79.99
C+
73.00 – 76.99
C
“Satisfactory”
70.00 – 72.99
C“Less than Satisfactory”
60.00 – 69.99
D
“Poor”
59.99 – 0.00
F
“Failing”
AUR ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance Policy
In keeping with AUR’s mission to prepare students to live and work across cultures, the University places a
high value on classroom experience. As a result attendance is expected in all classes and attendance records
are maintained. The University’s attendance policy is as follows:
Minimum Attendance Requirement
Students must attend a minimum of 70% of a course in order to be eligible to be considered for a passing
grade.
Absences
• Students will not be penalized for one absence from classes meeting once a week;
• Students will not be penalized for three absences from classes meeting twice a week;
• Students will not be penalized for four absences from classes meeting more than twice a week, as in
the case of some intensive courses.
If further absences are recorded, grade penalties will be applied according to the instructor’s specific
attendance policy, as stated in the syllabus. If the instructor does not specify an attendance policy, there
will be no grade penalty other than that attached to the minimum attendance requirement.
Cases of prolonged absences caused by an emergency or a medical condition may require students to
withdraw from some or all of their courses. Under such circumstances students should first consult
their academic advisors.
The Professor may include a specific policy for this class.
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THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
SUMMER SESSION II - 2015 SYLLABUS
5/21/2015
AUR ACADEMIC INTEGRITY CODE & POLICY AGAINST PLAGIARISM:
“Integrity is fundamental to the academic enterprise. It is violated by such acts as borrowing or purchasing
assignments, including but not limited to term papers, essays, and reports; lending to or producing
assignments for others (either for or without payment); using concealed notes or crib sheets during
examinations, copying the work of others and submitting it as one’s own; and otherwise misappropriating
the knowledge of others. Such acts are both dishonest and deceptive: the work submitted to instructors is
not the work of the person whose name it bears. In consequence, the sources from which one derives
one’s ideas, statements, terms, and facts, including internet sources, must be fully and specifically
acknowledged in the appropriate form. Failure to do so, intentionally or unintentionally, constitutes
plagiarism.”
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THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - SUMMER SESSION II - 2015
SYLLABUS APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: Guidelines for Research RESEARCH TOOLS The use of a research tool like Zotero (www.zotero.org) can greatly simplify your research and paper preparation. We will discuss how to use Zotero during the in-­‐person part of this course. Zotero is not the only such tool available it is just the one I use. Zotero is free and runs on several different platforms. ESSAYS / DISCUSSIONS / PROJECTS / BLOGS / WIKIS For any assigned Essays, Projects, Blogs, Wikis, and even in the Discussions Forum, students are expected to provide resources for any cited material. This includes pictures, photos, diagrams, charts, tables, etc. Providing references gives merit and credibility to your statements, and provides copyright credit to the original author. Researching the Problem or Question: For essays and projects, you will be expected to provide at least four to five sources for each problem/subject. The textbook may be used as a guideline, and should be cited if used, but may not be counted as the required minimum of additional sources. (You don’t have to stop at four or five sources just because that’s the minimum requirement. Meeting only the minimum is only satisfactory, not outstanding.) The Internet may be used, if properly cited; however, Wikipedia may NOT be used for essays and assignments (Wikipedia, may be used as a reference in Discussions, but only if the original source is also cited.) Be sure all sources are reliable and that the information checks out with other sources. Be sure to give credit to your sources within your document or presentation, whether just paraphrasing or quoting word-­‐for-­‐word. Sources should be included in a bibliography at the end. Do not copy and paste from your sources, except for short quotes that you designate as such. When citing a website, be sure to include the complete URL web address of the specific portion of your source that you are using in the bibliography. Include author, article name, publication name, and date accessed, as well. Websites change so it is critical that you note when you accessed the site. Here are some examples of website citations: Blackboard, Inc., 2011. Blackboard Learn, Release 9.1, On Demand Learning Center for Students. Retrieved August 28, 2011 from http://ondemand.blackboard.com/students.htm. Iguchi, L. (2003, February 3). Japan warfare. History of Japan. Retrieved March 11, 2004, from http://book.edu/japan Drums from Africa. (2002). Retrieved May 17, 2005, from http://www.abcd.com/africa/b2k 7
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - SUMMER SESSION II - 2014
SYLLABUS APPENDICES - 15 JUNE 2014
APPENDIX B: Avoiding Plagiarism Tips to Avoid Plagiarism: You must give credit for the following: 1) Direct quotations from your source. 2) Facts, data, and information based on other people’s research. 3) Paraphrases of another’s work (putting ideas or information in your own words). 4) Ideas, opinions, and interpretations that are not your own or that you got from another source. 5) Charts, graphs, pictures, images, and raw data that you did not put together yourself. 6) Comments from lectures, conversations, and interviews. How to give credit 1) Use quotations around anything borrowed "word for word." 2) Cite your quotations and factual information using an appropriate format for your discipline (e.g. citation number, parenthetical citations, etc.). 3) Introduce your source within the text of your paper (state the author/text in your text). 4) When paraphrasing, be sure to give credit to the source from which you gathered the data. (see #2) 5) While researching, making sure to take careful notes and write down all the information needed for citing your work as you find material you want to use. Absolutely Do Not 1) Do not turn in a single paper for more than one class. 2) Do not turn in a paper that you did not write. 3) If you cannot find the source where you got your data or information, DO NOT USE IT. Plagiarism – Use of another person’s or of a group’s words or ideas without clearly acknowledging the source of that information, resulting in their false representation as one’s own individual work. More specifically, to avoid plagiarizing, a student or other writer must give credit when he/she uses: • another person’s idea, opinion, or theory • any facts, statistics, graphs, drawings—any pieces of information—that are not common knowledge • quotations of another person’s actual spoken or written words • paraphrases of another person’s spoken or written words • another person’s data, solutions, or calculations without permission and/or recognition of the source, including the act of accessing another person’s computerized files without authorization Plagiarism may be either deliberate or unwitting; that is, it is the responsibility of a college student to know what constitutes plagiarism; ignorance is not a legitimate defense against a charge of plagiarism. Papers submitted for courses at AUR may be subject to a security/integrity check that uses online tools and historical algorithms to identify cases of plagiarism. 8