CLST 277-001 The World of Late Antiquity Spring Semester 2026

The people of the Mediterranean basin and Europe during the 3rd to 5th centuries C.E. continued to identify with their ennobling Classical past, even as their moment also changed the bases on which communities and individuals operated: government, religion, and social relations. This course develops historical knowledge by investigating the forces driving change and continuity in this important transition, practicing use of literary, documentary, and material sources integratively as the interaction of historical forces produces the complexity of lived experience.

• Recognize the importance of chronology, sequential development, and geography in shaping history.
• Explain processes of historical continuity and change.
• Assess and explain the relationship between historical events and cultural, social, and political forces.
• Interpret varied forms of sources as historical evidence.
• Illustrate how human and societal values, as well as methods of analysis and interpretation, shape and are shaped by historical context.

• Averil Cameron, The Later Roman Empire (Harvard)
• Ammianus Marcellinus, The Later Roman Empire, tr. W. Hamilton (Penguin)
• A. D. Lee, ed., Pagans and Christians in Late Antiquity: A Sourcebook (Routledge)
• Additional resources in photocopy and on the Internet

Resources for Studying and Academic Writing Generally

• SQ3R for Primary-Source Coursework: a method for effective studying
• Patrick Rael, Reading, Writing, and Researching for History: a Guide for College Students (Brunswick, ME: Bowdoin College 2004): developed by a historian of African American history and the American Antebellum/Civil War/Reconstruction periods, as the illustrations suggest, but applicable to our materials as well, and much more besides, at all stages of academic study
• Guide to Writing Academic Papers: a strategic checklist devised by your instructor (hint, hint)
• Style Sheet: Mundane Good Habits of Competent Writers
• Loyola Writing Program's Statement of Grading Standards: it credits the Rhetoric Program of the University of Illinois at Urbana; other universities also observe similar criteria: these expectations are held widely
• 1st edn. (1918) of William Strunk, Jr. and E. B. White, The Elements of Style: print editions have been updated and it's well worth getting a copy if you don't own one already, but in whatever edition you use it, Strunk and White is the classic guide to desirable American prose style
• How to use apostrophes, or else
• The the impotence of proofreading by Taylor Mali

Resources for Studying the Classical and Later Roman Worlds

• Guide to Beginning Research on Topics in Classical Studies: suggestions and resources
• Loyola Libraries' Subject Guide to Classical Studies, curated by Classical Studies Subject Specialist Annette Alvarado: a research guide to help identify and access core research resources relating to Classical Civilization, ancient Greek, or Latin.
• Oxford Bibliographies Online - Classics: annotated bibliographies compiled by leading scholars in the relevant fields
• The Perseus Digital Library, collection of texts and images for the study of the Greek and Roman worlds
• Lacus Curtius (online warehouse of texts, gazeteer, secondary and tertiary scholarship concerning the Roman world)
• Library of Congress Research Guides, Late Antiquity (index of Greek and Latin texts and secondary scholarship held by the US Library of Congress)
• ORB - Late Antiquity in the Mediterranean (on-line resources)
• Internet Medieval Sourcebook: The End of the Classical World (index to translated primary texts on-line)
• Early Christian and Byzantine Art: compilation of images and resources on-line, amassed by Christopher L. C. E. Witcombe of Sweet Briar College
• Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE): a joint project of the American Numismatic Society and the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World
• Diotima: a clearing-house of resources on the Internet for the study of women and gender in the ancient world
• Judaism and Rome, European Research Council project sub-titled "Re-thinking Judaism's Encounter with the Roman Empire": new and growing resource-collection including scholarly commentary and bibliography for textual and visual sources relating to the Jewish people's experience of the Hellenistic and Roman worlds; some sources also connect with early Christianity.
• Journal of Early Christian Studies (access provided by Loyola University Chicago through Project Muse): the official publication of the North American Patristics Society, focusing on the study of Christianity in the context of late ancient societies and religions from c.e. 100-700.
• Journal of Late Antiquity (access provided by Loyola University Chicago through Project Muse): a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary journal covering the world of Late Antiquity, broadly defined as the late Roman, western European, Byzantine, Sassanid, and Islamic worlds, ca. AD 250-800, i.e., the late and post-classical world up to the Carolingian period.
• Studies in Late Antiquity: a journal featuring multi- and interdisciplinary research that emphasizes the interconnectedness of the Mediterranean with other parts of the late ancient world (AD 150-750).
• Dumbarton Oaks: Byzantine Studies (major US research institute: Eastern Mediterranean focus)
• Didaskalia: The Journal for Ancient Performance: dedicated to the study of all aspects of ancient Greek and Roman performance (drama, dance, and music); Advisory and Editorial Boards of scholars in Classics and Theater, published by Randolph College.
• Augustine's web-page: nerve-center for teaching and research on Augustine on the Internet, including articles, bibliographies, texts, commentaries, images, records of an on-line seminar run in 1994 and 1995, and links to other off-site resources; edited by James J. O'Donnell, Provost of Georgetown University
• Virgil in Late Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance: on-line bibliography concerned with the reception in later periods of Classical Roman literature's "greatest hit" -by no means the only route into late antique literature, but a wider pathway than you might guess- click on "Late Antiquity", "Vitae", or "Servius" in the left-hand list to get to different bibliographies; part of virgil.org.
• Oxford Centre for Late Antiquity (major UK research institute: Roman and post-Roman world focus)
• Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (major US research institute: global focus)
• Roman Sites Blog (detailed vistor's notes and excellent photographs of assorted Roman imperial sites in Europe and museum exhibits in Europe and US)
• Society for Late Antiquity (networking site including links to past conferences)

• 2025-26 Academic Catalog: the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies and degree requirements for Loyola University Chicago, published every year in advance of the next academic year; inludes the Undergraduate Standards & Regulations
• Academic Advising
  • for first- and second-year students: Academic Advising & Support Services, Sullivan Center, Suite 260, 6339 Sheridan Rd., LSC; 773.508.7714, FSYAdvising@luc.edu
  • for College of Arts & Sciences juniors, seniors, and transfer students: CAS Advising, 4th floor Cuneo Hall, LSC (make an appointment through Navigate first or use Express Advising online in the hours it is available)
  • Pre-Health Advising: Sullivan Center, Suite 255, LSC; PHadvising@luc.edu; or use Handshake to set up a Pre-Medicine Career Community advising appoitment
  • Pre-Law Advising: appointments may be scheduled through Handshake or by phoning 773.508.7716
• Campus Safety
  • in case of emergency, notify Campus Safety immediately: Campus Safety Dispatcher, 773.508.SAFE (7233) - monitored 24/7/365, also 44.911 from a campus landline phone; Campus Safety TTY/TDD Line for Hard of Hearing 773.508.7762 - monitored 24/7/365; City of Chicago emergency 911
  • non-emergency safety questions: asksafety@luc.edu - mailbox checked weekly
  • general: 6427 N Sheridan Road - staffed 24/7/365
  • satellite station (joint endeavor with the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Transit Authority) near the Granville Redline Station: can be accessed via valid LUC ID card 24/7, and has emergency phones outside and inside connecting with the Campus Safety dispatch center
• Community Coalition on Gender-Based Violence: the web-page is a hub of resources for getting and giving various kinds of support in the face of different kinds of gender-based violence or threat; The Line at Loyola, 773.494.3810, offers confidential support and resources for sexual and relationship violence
• CURA Network [Care - Understanding - Resources - Accountability]: offers support, coordinated case-management, and referrals to appropriate resources for student concerns across the University. The website can direct students and members of faculty and staff to pertinent explanations and resources, including online reporting-forms for first, second, or third parties. Coverage includes severally
  • academic concerns
  • behavioral concerns
  • equity & Title IX concerns
  • personal concerns
  • student conflict & conduct concerns
  • general student concerns
  • BUT, in any case of crisis or imminent harm call 911 or Campus Safety first, 773.508.SAFE (7233)
• Office of the Dean of Students, Division of Student Development, Damen Student Center, South Wing, Suite 300, LSC; 773.508.8840, DeanOfStudents@LUC.edu; includes
  • Student Outreach and Support
  • Community Standards
  • Conflict Resolution
  • CURA Network
  • DoS Care Fund
• Information Technology Services, 773.508.4487, ITSServiceDesk@luc.edu
• Student Academic Services: provide instruction, coordinated guidance, and personalized support throughout students' Loyola experience, embodying Loyola's social justice commitment to working with the underserved; departments include
  • Achieving College Excellence (ACE)
  • First & Second Year Advising
  • New Student Programs
  • Student Accessibility Center
  • Student-Athlete Academic Services
  • Tutoring Center
• Student Accessibility Center, Student Academic Services, Sullivan Center, Suite 117, LSC, and Lewis Towers 414C, WTC; 773.508.3700; sac@luc.edu
• Tutoring Center, Sullivan Center Suite 245, LSC, 8:30am-5:00pm M-F; 773.508.7708; tutoringcenter@luc.edu
• University Libraries:
  • LSC: Cudahy Library and Information Commons: Circulation 773-508-2632 or cud-circ@luc.edu, IC 773-508-8000 or ic@luc.edu
  • WTC: Lewis Library, 25 E Pearson: Circulation 312-915-6622 or lewislib@luc.edu
  • Ask a Librarian offers chat, e-mail, text, phone, or in-person support (Request a Research Appointment for in-depth consultation)
• Wellness Center: Granada Center Suite 310, 6439 N Sheridan Rd, LSC, 773.508.2530; Terry Student Center Suite 250, 26 E Pearson, WTC, 312.915.6360; Cuneo Center, 2160 S 1st Ave, HSC, 708.216.2250
  • All facilities see patients by appointment only.
  • Students may make medical appointments online at the Wellness Center's Patient Portal or by phoning Dial-a-Nurse at 773.508.8883.
  • Initial phone triage appointments for mental health concerns may be scheduled online at the Wellness Center's Patient Portal or by phoning the Wellness Center's front desk at 773.508.2530.
  • The Wellness Center outlines resources for Emergency or Crisis Care, during or after business hours, at www.luc.edu/wellness/mentalhealth/emergencycrisiscare/.
• Writing Center: trained team members work alongside students and instructors - from every discipline, at every level, and at any stage in the writing process - on a variety of projects, including graded writing assignments for an academic course, professional documents such as cover letters, resumes, and CVs, application materials, publications in progress, and creative writing endeavors. They are committed to promoting the diversity of voices and perspectives that are the hallmark of our Loyola community. The Center promotes writing as a means of reflecting and learning, and as a means for communicating and participating in the many communities of which we are a part.
  • Face-to-face, online, and for some projects written consultations are available: see the guide to Appointment Types
  • Identify tutors in specific areas at Find a Tutor; appointments may be scheduled at luc.mywconline.com/.
• Writing Program: teaches and administers University writing courses, coordinates Writing Across the Curriculum, offers various writing, academic, and more general supports as an academic unit within the Department of English
  • For Writing Program inquiries, e-mail Melissa Bradshaw, Writing Program Director, at mbradshaw@luc.edu or phone 773.508.2776
  • For Writing Across the Curriculum inquiries, e-mail Julie Fiorelli, WAC Coordinator, at jfiorelli@luc.edu or phone 773.508.2313
  • For Writing Placement Assessment inquiries, e-mail Elissa Weeks Stogner, Writing Placement Assessment Coordinator, at estogner@luc.edu or phone 773.508.2693

Academic honesty, a.k.a. the life's blood of the intellect:

• Learning is the core of universities' purpose. Integrity is the condition in which learning is possible to achieve: anything that gets between you and the knowledge you're acquiring or the skills you're practicing can cause the process to fall apart. Honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage in academic matters keep your encounter with learning-material authentic. Practice them all at all times. Do, always, YOUR OWN best, so that YOU benefit from your endeavors. Any practice of academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, any use of AI or other resources not specifically authorized by your instructor, obstructing the work of other students, etc.) perpetrated in this course will result in academic penalties, pursuant to University policy (see next item), in proportion to the seriousness of the violation, up to and including failure of the course. Do not do it.
• For basic principles and definitions, see the subsection Academic Integrity (click the > sign to get the embedded text) in the Undergraduate Standards & Regulations in the 2025-26 Academic Catalog. The College of Arts and Sciences endorses and upholds this policy, as does the Department of Classical Studies.
• The University Libraries offer Sage Student Success modules for Academic Integrity and Referencing Skills.
• The Writing Program refers to the Council of Writing Program Administrators' detailed Statement of Best Practices for Defining and Avoiding Plagiarism.
• Grammarly (also referred to by the Writing Program) offers concise tips How to Avoid Plagiarism: they emphasize repeatedly, it's crucial to acknowledge the sources from which you're drawing information or ideas, not only to avoid parroting words. (Do NOT, however, use Grammarly to re-write your papers or other work: it will follow its algorithms to the point of making your ideas sound generic and machine-written, and it can be confused into misrepresenting your ideas.)
• Loyola University Chicago requires that all instances of academic dishonesty must be reported to the chairperson of the department involved and to the academic Dean of the student's College.

Revised 27 January 2026 by jlong1@luc.edu
http://www.luc.edu/classicalstudies/