Funded through a Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Division of Education Programs. Hosted by the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. To apply, please download the general application information for NEH Seminars and Institutes. For specific details about this institute, please read the "Dear colleague" letter. 

HOUSES OF MORTALS AND GODS is a 5-week intensive summer institute for 25 middle-school and high-school teachers, beginning with one week at the College of Notre Dame and continuing for four weeks in Italy. The purpose of the institute is to bring the ancient Roman world to life by combining the reading of Latin texts (in the original or in translation) with visits to the related sites. In addition to Roman literature participants will read several works of recent scholarship in archeology as preparation for the site visits. Through readings and site visits we will investigate the private life of the ancient Romans, with special emphasis on the home, the household and the house. We will extend the theme to public life, looking at temples as houses of the gods and tombs as houses of the dead.

A walk through the Roman Forum brings the tumult of everyday routine to life in a way that leads to greater understanding of Vergil’s image of ancient Rome or Cicero’s orations. A visit to Horace’s Sabine Farm deepens appreciation for the poet’s love of his home and gratitude to his patron whose gift it was. Seeing the remains of ancient Pompeii and Herculaneum calls forth empathy for the ancient population that came to so sudden and tragic an end. Teachers who have this experience can make the Latin texts and Roman history more accessible to their students.

Sponsorship

HOUSES OF MORTALS AND GODS will be hosted by the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, an independent four-year liberal arts college. Founded in 1896, it was the first Catholic women's college in the country. Set on a 58-acre campus in Baltimore, the college is conveniently located near downtown Baltimore, and Washington D.C. is only an hour's drive away. Both bus and train facilities are close by, and the Baltimore-Washington International Airport is 30 minutes away.

Faculty

The Institute will be led by:
Therese Marie Dougherty, SSND, Ph.D., Director.
Theresa Lamy, SSND, Ph.D., Co-Director;
assisted by Thomas Hayes, M.A. Three Village Central Schools, Stony Brook/Setauket, NY

Visiting Scholars
Darius Arya, Ph.D., American Institute for Roman Culture
Henry Bender, Ph. D., The Hill School, Pottstown and St. Joseph University, Philadelphia, PA.
Glenn Bugh, Ph.D., Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Steven Ellis, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Roger Macfarlane, Ph.D., Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Kurt Raaflaub, Ph.D., Brown University, Providence RI

Seminar Overview

Part One (June 27-July 2), at the College of Notre Dame, will present an overview of Roman history, literature and archeology of the Roman Republic and Empire through lectures by distinguished scholars. Participants will use the college library to finalize preparations for their presentations.

Part Two (July 5-16) will take the institute to Campania, where we will study the Roman home at Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae, and the seaside resort of Baia, as we read selections describing the lives of the rich and famous on the Bay of Naples.

Part Three (July 18-30) will take place in Rome, where participants will read what the ancient Romans had to say about their homes and visit the actual sites of the Roman Forum, the Palatine, and other monuments of ancient Rome and Ostia, as well as Cicero’s tomb in Formiae, Horace’s Sabine Farm and Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli.

Individual research:
Each participant will focus on one monument, literary work, or aspect of Roman culture, researching it before and during the institute, and presenting the results of the research to the group. After the institute participants will make available instructional materials based on their research.

Participants:
Twenty-five teachers will be selected from across the nation. Selection will aim at a mix of women and men from urban, suburban and rural areas, larger and smaller schools, both middle schools and high schools. Priority will be given to teachers most in need of a study experience in Italy, particularly those who have never had this opportunity. While the institute will not be limited to Latin teachers, the nature of the curriculum will require a foundation in the Latin language. The intensity of the program and the amount of time spent at sites and in the sun demand physical stamina. Selection will be according to the following criteria:

1. Commitment to teaching;
   
2. Experience and success in teaching;
3. Intellectual curiosity and desire to learn;
4. Need of the opportunities provided by the Institute.

Support for Participants:
Each participant will receive a stipend of $3900 to cover travel, room and board, as well as books to be used during the course of the institute. Admission to sites and some local transportation in Italy will be covered by the grant. Graduate credit may be earned for the work of the institute, but this is optional and tuition is not included in the benefits provided.

Eligibility:
Teachers in grades K through 12 anywhere in the United States are eligible to apply. The program requires strong interest in Latin literature and Roman culture. A reading knowledge of Latin is recommended. Applicants will need to submit a resume, an essay, and letters of recommendation by March 1, 2010. The essay should demonstrate knowledge of Latin or particular interest in Latin literature and/or ancient Roman history and culture.

Housing:
For the first week participants will reside in Mary Meletia Hall on the campus of College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Meletia Hall preserves the old charm of the original building while offering a comfortable and attractive living space. The language department and International Center are also located here and so participants will have easy access to necessary materials in the residence hall in addition to the college library. The remainder of our time will be in Italy. For the second and third weeks we will be housed at the Istituto Internazionale Vesuviano in Stabia. Our residence for our fourth week will be at Casa la Salle in Rome, but we will move to the Hotel Villa Rosa near Trastevere for our final week.

For an application form or more information, please contact

Sister Therese Marie Dougherty, SSND
Director, NEH Summer Institute
College of Notre Dame of Maryland
4701 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21210-2476
Phone: 410-532-5559
Fax: 410-532-5794
e-mail: tdougherty@ndm.edu