Extra-credit Quizzes for the Exam Period

Dear Roman Readers,

Welcome to what might be the last post before this blog changes its name to Writing Rome.

Appropriately, this post is about the extra credit quizzes Dr. Spinner and I have decided to offer from now until the end of the exam period. Please read it carefully so that you can make an informed choice about whether or not you want to participate.

We've looked at the averages for all the multiple choice quizzes this term. Not counting the tragedy that was quiz 25, which is too fresh to permit any kind of retake, these three quizzes had the lowest overall averages:

• Quiz 7: Advanced Roman Topography (avg. 27 pts. / 32 total);
• Quiz 20: Popes & Pilgrims (avg. 20 pts. / 25)
• Quiz 21: Medieval & Renaissance Rome (avg. 29 pts. / 34)

If you're interested in earning bonus points toward your quiz total, which was sent to you by email this morning, you can take any or all of these quizzes by 11:59 p.m. on May 8, the very end of the spring exam period.

However, to earn the points, you have to beat the class average on any given quiz. So, if you take quiz 7, you need to score a minimum of 28 in order for the points to count; quiz 20, 21 points; quiz 21, 30 points. We've put this condition in place to help ensure that the retakes are thoughtfully done.

When you take the quiz, all protocols and procedures are the same as they were during the regular term. You may access any quiz as often as you like, but you may only submit one set of answers; and you'll get an email confirming your score.

If that score beats the class average, your total will be increased by that number of points. If your score meets or falls below the average, the points will not be counted.

Note that there will be no penalty to your current totals for wrong answers. You can only earn points, not lose them. And, this opportunity is optional: if you're happy with your current totals, you needn't do anything at all.

Good luck, and please let us know if you have questions.

www.skidmore.edu/~dcurley/rome/login-only/quizzes/

DC/gs

Quizzes for Week 15

Dear Readers of Rome,

Our last round of quizzes — due Tuesday, April 28, at 11:59 p.m. — are now up and running:

• Quiz 1: Basic Roman Topography (17 pts., 90 seconds)
• Quiz 25: Modern Rome (37 pts., 8 min.) 

Quiz 25, multiple choice, synthesizes material on modern Rome (the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries). Reviewing the timeline of modern Rome will very important, but other presentations and readings should not be neglected.

Quiz 1 brings us back to the start, now with a timer at 90 seconds. Can you do it?

https://www.skidmore.edu/~dcurley/rome/login-only/quizzes/

Please remember that the due date is Tuesday, the last day of classes, not Wednesday.

Good luck!

DC

Quizzes for Week 14

Dear Readers of Rome,

Our quizzes for next week are now up and running. Due Wednesday, April 22, at 11:59 p.m., they are:

• Quiz 19: Basic Roman Basilica (11 pts., 3 min.)
• Quiz 23: Grand Tourism (15 pts., 4 min.) 
• Quiz 24: Women in Rome (10 pts., untimed.)

Quiz 23, multiple choice, synthesizes material on the Grand Tour, Nightingale, Petigru Carson, and Piranesi.

Quiz 24, a short-answer quiz, asks you to select and discuss two paragraphs from the Roman letters of Nightingale and Petigru Carson.

https://www.skidmore.edu/~dcurley/rome/login-only/quizzes/

Good luck!

DC

Quizzes for Week 13

Dear Readers of Rome,

Our quizzes for next week are now up and running. Due Wednesday, April 15, at 11:59 p.m., they are:

• Quiz 1: Basic Roman Topography (17 pts., timer now at 100 seconds!)
• Quiz 21: Medieval and Renaissance Rome (34 pts., 7 min.) 
• Quiz 22: Masterpieces (10 pts., untimed.)

Quiz 21 synthesizes much of the material from the past two weeks. Careful review, especially of the various timelines and factsheets, will be key. PRO TIP: Use this blog to backtrack through the assignments and the readings.

Quiz 22, a short-answer quiz, asks you to select and compare two works from our trio of Renaissance Roman artists.

https://www.skidmore.edu/~dcurley/rome/login-only/quizzes/

Good luck!

DC

Quizzes for Week 12

Dear Readers of Rome,

Three "maintenance" quizzes for you next week, all on ancient Rome and due Wednesday, April 8, at 11:59 p.m.:

• Quiz 2: Hills of Rome (a two-parter) (20 pts., 3 min.)
• Quiz 7: Advanced Roman topography (32 pts., 6 min.) 
• Quiz 10: Basic Roman Infrastructure (19 pts., 6 min.) 

Quiz 2 asks you first to type the names of the 10 natural hills of Rome, and then to state whether they are or aren't among the canonical seven. Remember to do the two parts one right after the other.

Quiz 7, multiple-choice, digs into the text portions of the Basic Roman topography page.

Quiz 10, a map quiz, asks you to locate key features of Roman infrastructure. Use the best browser you can, and a large monitor.

https://www.skidmore.edu/~dcurley/rome/login-only/quizzes/

Good luck!

DC

Quizzes for Week 11

Dear Roman Readers,

The quizzes for Week 11, due Wednesday evening (April 1), at 11:59 p.m., are now up and running.

Please take the following three quizzes:

• Quiz 18: Christian Rome Review (26 pts., 5 min.)
• Quiz 19: Basic Christian Basilica (11 pts., 3 min.)
• Quiz 20: Popes & Pilgrims (26 pts., 5 min.)

Quiz 18 compiles the biggest, boldest questions from the Unit 2 multiple choice quizzes, and adds a few new ones. This is a maintenance quiz, designed to stimulate your recall of essential facts.

Quiz 19 is a visual matching quiz on the features of the idealized Christian basilica plan.

Quiz 20, multiple choice, recaps our discussions of the papacy and pilgrimage from last Monday and Wednesday.

https://www.skidmore.edu/~dcurley/rome/login-only/quizzes/

Good luck!

DC/gs

(No) Quizzes for Weeks 9 and 10

Dear Readers of Rome,

After the quizzes due tonight (Week 8), there will be no quizzes due Week 9 (the week of break) or Week 10 (the week after). Rather, Prof. Spinner and I want you to concentrate on the annotated bibliographies for your site reports, due Sunday, March 29 (not the 28th, as mentioned in class today).

We'll resume with quizzes in Week 11. At some point you can expect a large review quiz on Unit 2, but not just yet.

Happy researching,

DC

Quizzes for Week 8

Dear Roman Readers,

The quizzes for Week 8, due Wednesday evening (March 11), at 11:59 p.m., are now up and running.

Please take the following three quizzes:

• Quiz 15: Ancient Rome Review (46 pts., 7 min.)
• Quiz 16: Martyrs & Relics (15 pts., 3 min.)
• Quiz 17: Christians in a Pagan World (15 pts., untimed)

Quiz 15 compiles the biggest, boldest questions from the Unit 1 multiple choice quizzes. This is a maintenance quiz, designed to stimulate your recall of essential facts. You have seen all of these questions before.

Quiz 16, multiple choice, recaps our discussions of sanctified economies from last Monday and Wednesday.

Quiz 17, short answers, focuses on the intersection of Roman and Christian values as exemplified by apostolic and saintly lives.

https://www.skidmore.edu/~dcurley/rome/login-only/quizzes/

Good luck!

DC

Some Announcements

Dear Readers of Rome,

Please read the following post carefully, since it offers some policies and suggestions for the immediate future. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact either me or Dr. Spinner.

(1) SATURDAY EVENING DEADLINES for both writing assignments and the site reports will now be moved to Sundays at noon. This includes the upcoming writing assignment (#2).

(2) WEDNESDAY QUIZ DEADLINES will be extended to 11:59 p.m.

(3) TIME ON QUIZZES (except on those repeated over the course of the term) will be extended slightly to allow more time for completion.

Items 1–3 are in response to suggestions and comments from you, the students. We hope the new policies will prove helpful.

(4) PLEASE STAY PUT DURING CLASS, unless you are suddenly and seriously ill. There's been a rash of folks getting up and leaving in the middle of things lately, and it's distracting for everyone else.

(5) SITE REPORTS: Now that you've all been oriented by our peer mentor, let me suggest that you begin researching your sites before break. Put in a little time this week, maybe as much as 2–3 hours, going through the books we've set aside and taking your first round of notes. Otherwise, when we come back from break, you'll have less than a week to get started.

DC

Quizzes for Week 7 -- Part B

Dear Roman Readers,

As promised, the third quiz for this week, due Wednesday evening (March 4), at 11:00 p.m., is now up and running

For the sake of having everything in one place, here are all the quizzes to take this week:

• Quiz 1: Basic Roman topography (17 pts., timer now at 2 min.)
• Quiz 13: Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity (20 pts., 3 min.)
• !!new!! Quiz 14: Peter, Paul & Mary (10 pts., 2 min.)

Quiz 14 is a multiple-choice roundup of both readings and class discussion on Peter, Paul, and Mary -- arguably the three most important Christian saints.

https://www.skidmore.edu/~dcurley/rome/login-only/quizzes/

Good luck!

DC

Quizzes for Week 7 -- Part A

Dear Roman Readers,

Two of the quizzes for this week, due Wednesday evening (March 4), at 11:00 p.m., are now up and running. I'll blog when the third quiz is ready (sometime tomorrow).

Please take the following quizzes:

• Quiz 1: Basic Roman topography (17 pts., timer now at 2 min.)
• Quiz 13: Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity (20 pts., 3 min.)

Quiz 13 is a multiple-choice roundup of factsheets on the history of Judaism, the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Apostles.

https://www.skidmore.edu/~dcurley/rome/login-only/quizzes/

Good luck!

DC

Quizzes for Week 6

Dear Roman Readers,

The last quizzes of Unit 1, due Wednesday evening (February 25), at 11:00 p.m., are now up and running.

Please take the following three quizzes:

• Quiz 10: Basic Roman Infrastructure (19 pts., 3 min.)
• Quiz 11: Fora, Roads, Gates, Water (31 pts., 4 min.)
• Quiz 12: Triumphant You (15 pts., untimed)

Quiz 10, a map quiz, asks you to locate key features of Roman infrastructure. Remember to use the best browser you can, and a large monitor.

Quiz 11, multiple choice, recaps our Blue Guide and Stambaugh readings and PowerPoint lectures on the physical aspects of Rome, from the grandiose to the humble.

Quiz 12 asks you to imagine yourself as a triumphant general parading through Rome, and what memories you will recall on the way. Read the instructions for this one carefully.

https://www.skidmore.edu/~dcurley/rome/login-only/quizzes/

Good luck!

DC

Quizzes for Week 5

Dear Roman Readers,

The quizzes for this coming week, due Wednesday evening (February 18), at 11:00 p.m., are now up and running.

Please take the following three quizzes:

• Quiz 7: Advanced Roman topography (32 pts., 4 min.)
• Quiz 8: Icons of Imperial Rome (31 pts., 4 min.)
• Quiz 9: Imagining Rome (15 pts., untimed)

Quiz 7, multiple-choice, digs into the text portions of the Basic Roman topography page.

Quiz 8, also multiple choice, recaps our Blue Guide readings and PowerPoint lectures. The title indicates that most of the quiz is devoted to Rome under the emperors; but the Theater of Pompey and the Circus Maximus (both of which survived well into the Imperial period) are also covered.

Quiz 9 asks for your thoughts on Ovid, Juvenal, Martial, and the topics of pleasure, sport, and spectacle. Please write at least 8–10 sentences on each question.

https://www.skidmore.edu/~dcurley/rome/login-only/quizzes/

Good luck!

DC

Quizzes for Week 4

Dear Roman Readers,

The quizzes for this week, due Wednesday evening (February 11), at 11:00 p.m., are now up and running.

Please take the following three quizzes:

• Quiz 1: Basic Roman topography (17 pts., timer now at 2.5 minutes)
• Quiz 5: Ancient Roman city (26 pts., 4 min.)
• Quiz 6: Forum Romanum (16 pts., 3 min.)

Quiz 4 is a multiple-choice roundup of our readings in Stambaugh's Ancient Roman City.

Quiz 5 is a multiple choice recap of the Forum Romanum. Some of the material we covered in class; for other material you'll need to read the Blue Guide closely.

Please read all of the instructions and note the recommended preparations for each quiz. Remember, it is legitimate to load a quiz just to look at the questions -- as long as you don't hit Submit.

Finally, remember that each quiz is meant to be taken once and only once.

https://www.skidmore.edu/~dcurley/rome/login-only/quizzes/

Good luck!

DC

Quizzes for Week 3

Dear Roman Readers,

The quizzes for this week, due Wednesday evening (February 4), at 11:00 p.m., are now up and running.

Please take the following three quizzes:

• Quiz 2: Hills of Rome (a two-parter: follow the instructions to the letter) (20 pts., 3 min.)
• Quiz 3: Rome of the Kings (17 pts., 3 min.)
• Quiz 4: Founding Rome (15 pts., untimed)

As I said yesterday by email, quiz 4 is a thoughtful short answer quiz: I do not recommend that you wait until Wednesday to get started. The others will probably take you less time.

Please read all of the instructions and note the recommended preparations for each quiz. Remember, it is legitimate to load a quiz just to look at the questions -- as long as you don't hit Submit.

Technical note: For reasons I don't fully understand, hitting "Refresh" on some pages will cause the module to crash. I'm working on that. In the meantime, use the menus to navigate around or close your quiz windows manually. (If the module crashes, just close out and pick up where you left off.)

https://www.skidmore.edu/~dcurley/rome/login-only/quizzes/

Good luck, and please report any major problems to me.

DC

Quizzes for Week 2

Dear Roman Readers,

I'm pleased to announce that our quiz module is finally ready to go.

By Friday, January 30, 11:00 p.m. (that is, tomorrow night), please take the following quizzes:

• Quiz 0: Configuring your browser (optional); and
• Quiz 1: Basic Roman topography (17 points, 3 min.).

For both quizzes you will see a confirmation of your results, and receive a follow-up to your Skidmore email.

https://www.skidmore.edu/~dcurley/rome/login-only/quizzes/

Good luck, and please let me know if you have any questions.

DC

Assignment for Wednesday, 01-28-15

Dear Roman Readers,

For Wednesday, January 28, please do the following:

(1) Read the initial page of our Quizzes module, which describes the policies and procedures for our online quizzes. Note any questions you want to ask next class.

(2) Download, print, and read the factsheet on Propertius, our next Roman author.

(3) Download, print, and read Propertius' poem about Tarpeia and the Tarpeian rock. You'll remember Tarpeia from our initial Livy readings. Propertius gives an erotic dimension to her character, and you should consider what, if anything, this dimension adds to her legend.

(4) Download, print, and read this second round of selections from Livy's History of Rome from its Foundation.

We'll read the following excerpts:

• The death of king Servius Tullius due to the treachery of his daughter, Tullia the Younger. (The woman Tullia is jealous of, Tanaquil, was the wife of the preceding king, Tarquinius Priscus.)
• The rise of Tullia's husband, Tarquinius Superbus, the last Roman king.
• The rape of Lucretia by Sextus Tarquinius, the son of Superbus.

As before, these stories should probably come with a trigger warning.

Class discussion will be led by our capable Peer Mentor, Sarah.

DC