Splash Fall 2014
Course Catalog

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Arts College Prep.
Lunch Math & Computer Science
Humanities Science
Walk-in Seminar Miscellaneous


Arts

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A1135: Drawing the figure Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Emily Lu

A1169: The Dougie is the Same Thing as the Twist: How Pop Music Hasn't Changed Full!
Difficulty: **

A1202: The Philosophy of Fight Club
Difficulty: **

A look into all the ethical principles and philosophical ideologies hidden within the plot of Fight Club

A1127: Technical Theatre: Intro to Design 1 Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Samuel Biondolillo

A1194: Comparing Music Videos
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Fabiola De Armas

Music videos are an integral part of contemporary society. It is interesting to compare music videos and see how they have evolved. Some videos have social purposes behind them while others are made for plain entertainment. Come watch and see for yourself how music videos impact contemporary culture!

A1201: Clay 101 Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Elsie Guevara

A1132: Emo Music
Difficulty: **
Teachers: John Marvin

An overview of the history, development, and varieties of modern emo music, including the genre's influences, varieties, and offshoots.


Prerequisites
Interest in music; tolerance for screamed/yelled vocals.

A1121: Improv Comedy Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Sean Bloomstine

A1151: Drawing, Studio Art class Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Jessica Lu

A1167: DJ Mixing 101
Difficulty: **

Ever wanted to learn the techniques used to mix songs and create a DJ setlist? This is an introductory class just to get your feet wet with the tools and software needed to DJ.

A1126: Art in Society: An Analysis of the Worlds Most Famous Works!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Harrison Kenner

Ever wondered the story behind famous works of art? Do you enjoy going to famous art museums? We'll discuss major pieces of art that have changed society and the story behind their creation!


Prerequisites
None.

A1128: Intro to Theatrical Process: An Overview
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Samuel Biondolillo

This course will provide a broad overview of the roles in theatre, the theatrical space, and the process of theatre from start to finish. This course is ideal for anyone looking to get involved in theatre arts or just interested in the process of putting on a play. All experience levels welcome! (Also see my course A1127: Technical Theatre: Intro To Design 1 for a course specific to tech theatre.)


Prerequisites
None: Students should be ready to explore inner creativity!

A1134: Writing Between the Lines Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Jasmine Ruscoe

A1206: Taylor Swift
Difficulty: **

Everything to know about Taylor Swift.


Prerequisites
Love of Red and Fearless albums.

A1211: Fragrance as an Artform
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Suneer Sood

Explore the creative nature of perfume and cologne by learning proper application and gaining exposure to uniquely enchanting scents through this crash course!


College Prep.

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C1142: Finding my Wings..Becoming a Boston College Eagle
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Bethany Candage

This course will cover the ways different people have handled their transition into Boston College, including my own. Coming from a small island in Maine, my transition was a large one, so I'll share my personal opinions on my own transition into Boston College, as well as feature other unique stories of my peers and their backgrounds and how they handled their transition, The course will also include some (hopefully) useful tips to help you settle in at the college you choose! :)

C1136: The Art of College Admissions: What High School Students Need to Know About the College Application Process Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Roy Y. Chan

C1139: Ever to Excel: Finding your Passions and being Succesful in College
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Greg Michalowski

Nervous about being a successful college student? Don't know what you want to do yet with your life? Come to this class to learn about the college experience and figure out more about how to find yourself in college

C1213: Doctor S and Doctor L to the rescue! Full!
Difficulty: *

C1157: How to Live Sustainably in College Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Melissa Dangond

C1173: Splash Leader Panel
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Splash Leaders

This is a casual seminar style course led by the Splash Leaders to answer all your questions relating to the college admissions process, college life, or just any general question about majors, classes, clubs, etc. Take a break from academic classes and spend some time with the eccentric and knowledgeable Splash Leaders gaining all the valuable information you would need to know to be ready for college!

C1189: College, Happiness, and Good Ole Chocolate Chip Cookies Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Maggie Pothier


Lunch

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L1175: Lunch Period
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Austen Hendler

Enjoy a break for lunch with your Splash Leader and friends! Please register for at least one lunch period.


Math & Computer Science

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M1222: Steve Jobs: Lessons from a Poet and Businessman Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Jake Cohen

M1198: How To Excel
Difficulty: **

An intro to Microsoft Excel, the ultimate computational tool to help you succeed in college and beyond. This lesson will include a concise explanation of how to use most of its capabilities and explicit functions.

M1179: Intro to Computer Science Full!
Difficulty: **

M1197: Introduction to Programming with Python Full!
Difficulty: ***
Teachers: Cameron Lunt


Humanities

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R1196: Introduction to Ethics: What would you do? Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Will Johnson

R1120: Does God Exist?
Difficulty: ***
Teachers: John Marvin

Exactly as the title suggests: a seminar to discuss one of the most pressing questions of the human experience in depth.

Note: this class will be a _discussion_, not a debate, not an argument, and definitely not a lecture. Animosity, anger, and disrespect are not allowed and will result in removal from the discussion. This is a big question with much personal significance to all of us, whatever our perspectives, and by participating one agrees to recognize that we are all here to learn and to gain better understanding, not to "win" or to "be right."


Prerequisites
An open mind, the ability to use reason, and preferably some knowledge, too.

R1129: Borderlines and Aliens
Difficulty: ***
Teachers: David Joyce

This course will give a brief overview of the modern dilemmas facing the American borders and immigration. The class will discuss downfalls, remedies, and reactions to the situation in order to become more informed on the controversial topic.

R1150: Genesis, Generosity & Genocide: a Brief History of Islam
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Jasmine Ruscoe

We have grown up in a post 9-11 world. In the Political Science sphere, this is the greatest shift in thinking of our time - right up there with World War Two and the fall of the Berlin Wall. In our lives, though, it means a lot of fear, stereotypes, simplification and misinformation. Where did this militant Islamism come from, what does it want, and how does it relate to the Islam that coexists peacefully with us? These are and will remain important questions in our lives. Please bring an open mind and any questions you may have.

R1184: Poverty in the Midst of Plenty Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Steve Trudeau

R1152: LBJ and The Vietnam War Protest Movement
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Madeline Webster

"Hey, Hey, LBJ, How Many Kids Did You Kill Today?" : This course will examine both the inner-workings of President Lyndon Johnson and the protest movement that brought him down.

We will talk about the man, the myth, the legend: President Lyndon Baines Johnson. We will examine his early life, his reign as Senate Majority Leader, his unfortunate time as Vice President, and the domestic policy during his first term as President. In the second half of the lecture, we will switch points of view and talk about the Vietnam War Protest Movement in an effort to show the impact of his foreign policy decisions on the country.


Prerequisites
A general knowledge of the 1960s and the Vietnam War.

R1147: Speak Now: Activism through Performance Poetry
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Brittany Burke

Often times, art can express ideas and feelings we otherwise would have no way of tapping into or sharing with others. However, art in this form is most meaningful when it can motivate change, eliciting an emotional response from an audience who will hopefully be inspired to view human rights and social responsibility in a new and more personal light. It illuminates the questions: Who am I in relation to the greater world in which I live? How must I treat each person I interact with? How can my ideals about human compassion be made relevant to the society at large and the social structures that quiet the voices of so many? In this class, we will undertake a writing and performing workshop to answer such questions in the hopes of inspiring your audience to reflect on the same issues and act on the injustices you examine through your poetry.

R1193: How to Play a Language-Game (And Why Philosophy Doesn't Work)
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Corey Steiner

What do we really mean when we say something? What is the relationship between language and things in the world? If we each have our own definitions of words, how can we ever really talk about anything?

According to Wittgenstein, philosophical questions such as these are akin to trying to let a fly out of a bottle. Come for a sampling of Wittgenstein's famous, weird, and surprisingly entertaining Philosophical Investigations, in which the man at times seems to be bashing his own project. We'll go through what Wittgenstein means by a language-game (you already know the rules, and it's not as fun as it sounds) and some of his great visual analogies.

R1163: If God is Good, Why Do Bad Things Happen?
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Ben Markley

If God is all-good and all-powerful, why is there evil and suffering? The Problem of Evil is one of the most controversial ideas in all of philosophy and theology. This class seeks to articulate the Problem of Evil and discuss attempts to answer the problem (known as theodicies) from a wide variety of thinkers including Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas, G.W. Leibniz, Thomas Malthus, David Hume, C.S. Lewis, J.L. Mackie, John Hick, Robert M. Adams, Richard Swinburne, Eleonore Stump and Alvin Plantinga.

This class is meant to give students a survey of some highly interesting and controversial answers to a highly interesting and controversial problem, not convert anyone to any given religion or belief. People of any belief system are encouraged to enroll.

R1130: Know Your Rights! Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Caroline McMahon

R1166: Sociology of Gender & Sexuality Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Kimm Topping

R1161: Literature in Music
Difficulty: **

Have you ever noticed that music sometimes makes connections or references to some of your favorite books? In this course, we attempt to explain musicians' literary references and the purposes behind them, and take a closer look at some lyrics that have deeper meanings than you may think.


Prerequisites
You must have listened to music at some point.

R1149: The Hunger Games as a Cultural Artifact Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Marissa Marandola

R1216: What's Your Love Language? Full!
Difficulty: **

R1122: "But Do the Lord Care?": Tupac Shakur and the Theological Problem of Evil
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Evan Goldstein

If a loving God exists, why is the world full of seemingly unjust suffering? How do oppressed people continue to affirm faith in God in the midst of the darkness of history? What right do privileged people have to talk about God in a broken world? These questions have preoccupied theologians and philosophers for centuries under the name "theodicy", or the problem of evil; this course takes up that question through the life and work of Tupac Amaru Shakur. We will consider Tupac's personal religiosity (or lack thereof), and its significance to his music, as well as the relationship between his subversive prayers to "Black Jesuz" and his revolutionary politics. In so doing, we will encounter questions of race and racism, American history, and theology in general. No prior exposure to either theology or Tupac is necessary; only an interest in asking challenging questions and hearing challenging music.

R1143: The Most Important Thing You Will Ever Learn: On Friendship, Relationships, and the Connections that make us Human
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Alis Dicpinigaitis

Have you ever wondered why you "like" someone when you meet them? Why you are drawn to a friend or partner physically or emotionally?

How we relate to other people is the single most important thing that gives our life meaning. Let's find out why.

R1145: Nah, I'm Good Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Katherine Pier

R1154: How to be a Greek Philosopher in 50 minutes
Difficulty: **
Teachers: James Powlesland

Many say that philosophy began in ancient Greece. Socrates, Aristotle; many of you have heard these names a lot(and if you haven't you will, trust me). So what were those guys thinking? And most importantly what are YOU thinking?


Prerequisites
An open mind. A very, very open mind.

R1158: How to Lose Friends and Alienate People: The Rise and Fall of Leon Trotsky Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Allison Shely

R1165: Intro to Sociology Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Kimm Topping

R1209: What is Romantic Love and How Can We Know If We're In It? Full!
Difficulty: **

R1221: Freaky Poetry
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Alexander Prete

We will be exploring some provocative poetry from artists such as Edgar Allan Poe, Sylvia Platt, etc.


Prerequisites
Literacy.

R1227: A Date with History
Difficulty: **

A Date with History will take a random day in history and explore what happened on said day or days. The days chosen will be decided by the time of class. The class will provide an overview of each day and explore what happened in many different cultures and time periods.

R1228: Rights! The Magna Carta and American Constitutionalism
Difficulty: **

From abortion to ISIS, America's policies even in present day are firmly rooted in the American Constitution. It is a hallmark of rights, liberties, and balanced government institutions. But the document did not appear out of thin air, and framers didn't come up with everything on their own. This class will investigate the connections between English common law and the Magna Carta to the Constitution, and how these rights and liberties are still in play today.


Prerequisites
Familiarity with American Constitution


Science

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S1168: The Real Shark in the Water Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Hannah O'Day

S1155: Neurological Disorders Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Jinseok Hong

S1217: Star Stuff: How to Walk and Talk Like a True Astronomer
Difficulty: *
Teachers: JOHANNA TOMSICK

Have you ever caught yourself becoming totally fixated on the night sky above you, and then running into people and things because you simply can't take your eyes off the stars? Then this is the perfect class for you! Come on down to learn the basics of stargazing. You'll walk away a true astronomer, reciting the names of the most recognizable constellations and knowing how to pick out the planets in the night sky. You'll dazzle your friends with your newly-learned astro lingo!
All experience levels welcome--the more the merrier!

S1131: Health and Nutrition Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Reginald Parris

S1156: Amazing Organisms
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Lucas Ortiz

In this course, we will explore the amazing diversity of the animal kingdom. By looking at several unique and outlandish organisms, students will be able to understand how and why organisms do what they do.


Prerequisites
None

S1181: Interactive Science: Make Your Own Rock Candy Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Jung Lee, Jennifer Youn

S1183: Space: Why it's a lot cooler than you think
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Peter Stein

We will cover the very basics of astronomy and astrophysics. Topics will include the life cycle of stars, how and where elements are made, the basics of Einstein's Theory of Relativity, and many more interesting facts about the vast expanse we call outer space. Prepare to have your mind blown.


Prerequisites
None, although previous experience in chemistry and physics may prove helpful.

S1215: Wilderness Medicine: Pre-Med Perspectives Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Andrew Hawkins

S1192: Pediatric Focused First Aid and CPR Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Alex Lucas

S1137: Understanding Quantum Mechanics
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Linden Hayes

Curious about Quantum Mechanics? This class will cover concepts such as the uncertainty principle, tunneling, the particle-wave duality, and the Schrodinger's Cat Paradox. Everything will be discussed at the conceptual level without getting into the math behind it all.


Prerequisites
Only prerequisite is curiosity, no math or science knowledge is required for this class.

S1153: ebola Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Amanda Kusztos

S1177: Life On The Line: What Would You Do? (and other Bioethics Topics) Full!
Difficulty: **

S1180: Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Peter Czajka

S1199: Introductory Neuroscience! Full!
Difficulty: **

S1212: Interested in Undergraduate Research Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Will Lambert

S1159: Exciting Chemistry
Difficulty: **

S1185: Who run the world? Orcas.
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Maggie Bennett

We will discover the beauty of orca whales (killer whales) and discuss their habitat, behavior, and intelligence. Perfect for anyone who loves the ocean or marine mammals!

S1205: Why are we hungry?
Difficulty: **

A psychological and biological exploration behind hunger. What makes us want to eat? What makes us stop eating? How does hunger get out of control.
We will dive into...
1. The neurological and psychological processes of hunger
2. The nutrition we need
3. What happens when hunger gets out of control: eating disorders, obesity, and starvation.


Walk-in Seminar

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W1220: Robin 101
Difficulty: *
Teachers: David Fu, Matthew Nolan

Are you a major fan *salutes* Maaajor Fan! of How I Met Your Mother? Do you miss spending your Mondays waiting for the adventures of Ted and Barney? Did you shed tears/ a single manly tear, at the finale? Then join us in this Legen, wait for it, dary, class as we discuss our favorite moments, episodes, and the controversial ending.


Prerequisites
-Knowledge of Season 1- Season 9 of How I Met Your Mother.

W1230: Confidence and Power: How to Claim It Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Kelly Hoffman

W1191: Public Speaking 101 Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Jay Nam


Miscellaneous

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X1174: BC Splash Leader Meet and Greet
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Splash Leaders

Come join our fantastic and knowledgeable Splash Leaders who will lead fun activities, and much more! These Boston College students (Splash Leaders) will even bring you to your first class. Participating in fun small group activities will help you meet other Splash and Boston College students. You will also get a chance to meet back up with your small group for lunch! When you arrive at Splash, you will find out who your Splash Leader will be. This will be the only option offered at 9 AM.

X1224: Winter Fun in Beantown
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Meridith Carlson

Staying home for winter break? We will explore what there is to do in Boston in the snowy months.

X1141: Glory Days: Springsteen Edition

Learn everything you will ever want to know on the man, the myth, the Legend, Bruce Springsteen!


Prerequisites
None! A little bit of music culture wouldn't hurt.

X1207: Message from the TARDIS: The Science Behind Doctor Who Full!
Difficulty: **

X1187: Redheads 101 Full!
Difficulty: *

X1225: STOP! You're Under [Citizen's] Arrest! Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Alicia McCormick

X1140: How to Save a Life: Intro to CPR Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Jessica Atton

X1124: Just About Everything Full!
Difficulty: **

X1125: Global Health 101 Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Nirali Patel

X1170: Morality with Spongebob Squarepants Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Matthew McDonough

X1226: Can You Teach Me to Football?
Difficulty: **

What is a sack? Why do teams punt? In today's America, football has come to dominate the national landscape. In this course, we will run through some of football's most basic rules. After this, we will run through some basic play designs and put our new-found knowledge into action.

X1176: The Olive Theory: HIMYM Relationships in Real Life
Difficulty: *

Ever wanted to explore the world of How I Met Your Mother and how the relationships apply to real life? Well, then this is the perfect class for you. Suit up! Together, we will connect the main cast to different mindsets of dating culture. It's going to be Legen...wait for it, and I hope you're not lactose and tolerant because the second half of that word is dary! Legendary!


Prerequisites
Preferably have watched How I Met Your Mother (will try not to spoil ending).

X1200: Putting the Phone Away: Learning How to Talk to Just About Anyone Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Thomas Hanley

X1123: How to be a Social Butterfly Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:

X1195: Welcome to The O.C.
Difficulty: *

This course studies The O.C., a 2000s teen drama illustrating the lives of four diverse high school students in Southern California. It examines the struggles and problems of Ryan Atwood, Seth Cohen, Marissa Cooper, and Summer Roberts, and analyzes how they reflect issues in our own lives. No material from the fourth season will be covered--it didn't happen.


Prerequisites
No prior knowledge of the show is required. Just come and learn about a teen drama phenomenon.

X1219: Massage Therapy 101
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Mabel Lee, Angela Song

Ever wondered how to give a great massage? Want a free massage? Why buy a storebought face mask when you can make you own? In this class, we will learn some basic massaging techniques and create our own homemade DIY face mask.

X1162: Jillian Michaels Inspired Workout Class Full!
Difficulty: *

X1229: Midwest is the Best
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Victoria Crawford

Ready to learn all about the wonderful part of the USA that is the Midwest? You should be because it is the best! Learn all about slang, restaurants, food (which you will be able to try), and culture from the heart of the country.

X1186: Juggling 101 Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: John Hanron

X1164: Wake up and Smell the Coffee Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Liz Choi

X1138: Wilderness Survival 101 Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Erik Eppig

X1218: The Art of Sounding Smart Full!
Difficulty: *

X1208: Martial Arts 101 Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Zach DiCostanzo

X1133: Sailor Moon, Princess Jellyfish, The Little Mermaid and the LGBTQ Community Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Julian Bastidas

X1144: The Prisoner's Dilemma
Difficulty: **
Teachers: John Donovan

In this course, we will touch upon basic Microeconomic principles, focusing primarily on the Prisoner's Dilemma and the Oligopoly market structure.


Prerequisites
None

X1146: Beyond the Wall: A Deeper Look into Game of Thrones
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Victoria Cady

This course will explore all things Game of Thrones, ranging from popular fan theory, the HBO series versus A Song of Ice and Fire book series, the compelling draw Game of Thrones has over its viewers, and its connections to contemporary cultural ideas. The course is intended to be discussion based.

X1160: No Weights, No Problem!
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Jonathan Boudreau

Gym memberships can be expensive. Even if you have one, sometimes they are just too far away which can make working out a challenge. If you want to work out but can't make it to the gym, there are plenty of workouts that can be done right in your dorm! Come for the workout, come for the music, or just come to watch me jump around a lecture hall for almost an hour!


Prerequisites
Will be moving around exercising so work out clothes recommended

X1171: How to Get an A Outside the Classroom Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Pierre Leconte

X1182: The Tonight Show and Social Media Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Ryan Short

X1188: Fall Sweets and Treats
Difficulty: **
Teachers: Mary Ladesic

Join us in making festive and delicious treats, right before your family Thanksgiving gatherings! You'll have a wonderfully-sweet time as you roll up our sleeves and show off your pastry skills. We will provide the cookies, cupcakes and inspiration for you to create your culinary masterpieces. We will be decorating Autumn Leaf Sugar Cookies, Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes and Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes, as we teach you the best tips and tricks to add to your recipe box.

X1190: Harry Potter Goes to BC
Difficulty: *
Teachers: John Walsh

What would Harry teach us if he came here to Boston College instead of Hogwarts? What would BC help him to understand about himself? This class will explore Harry Potter from the perspective of a Boston College Student and the Jesuit ideals of education, which will delve into the moral and spiritual development of Harry through the lens of the Jesuit ideals:attentiveness, reflection, and love. The class will be conversation- based, with a brief PowerPoint and a few video clips to help create themes that prompt dialogue. I hope this class will be full of great conversation, childhood nostalgia, a few good laughs, and most importantly, to give you an appreciation for both Harry Potter and Boston College.


Prerequisites
The only prerequisite is having read all seven books or to seen all the movies to avoid spoiler alerts!!

X1204: Technology Integration Into Your Education
Difficulty: *

This course will be an open discussion and demonstration of the latest computing/mobile technology and how it can be integrated into your education. If you want to learn how to leverage the latest technology devices/applications to do better in school, take this class. We will cover iOS applications, Android Applications and even demonstrate how the latest tech devices (iPads, Macbooks, Chromebooks) can help you in various subject areas. Those interested in the latest technology, interested in new study habits, or just want to learn, sign up now!

X1210: Spongebob Squarepants: The Evolution Full!
Difficulty: *

X1223: Do all roads lead to Rome?
Difficulty: *
Teachers: Meridith Carlson

Dreaming of travel to the eternal city? Learn the practicalities and excitement of living with the Romans. Explore the must see sites and travel down the roads not taken.