Cities and Countryside in the Ancient World

Instructor: Shawn Graham

This course looks at the relationship between cities and countryside in the ancient world, as evidenced through archaeology and field survey (primarily Greece and Rome, though we might look at other cultures such as the Etruscans).  I will be arguing, amongst other things, that the form of that relationship is the key indicator for understanding the mindset, the nature of, that particular culture. What do extra-urban sanctuaries really mean? How do cities warp the economic and cultural geography of a region? What does the idea of countryside mean to the Romans, the Greeks?

We will be using GIS and other digital tools to explore and understand that mindset.  Assignments will be crafted around the idea of building knowledge online. Readings will be culled from journals and archaeological project websites.