The course is part of a three-course sequence on the interrelated subjects of architecture, urbanism, painting, and sculpture from the Bronze Age to the eighteenth century in Greece and Italy. This course is distinguished from the first and third in the sequence by its emphasis on Roman Art. The course has Institute approval for humanities credit.

The core of the class is a two-week intensive, on-site, study of cities, buildings, sculpture, and painting of the ancient Roman world. The course is organized around a two-week residence period in Rome and includes visits and lectures on some of the most important sites and museums in and around Rome, including Pompeii, Tivoli and Ostia.