In this course you are becoming an historian of Rome.
History is the interpretation of facts through logic and imagination.
When you argue a case about Roman culture to others, you are a Roman historian. The value of this exercise is much more than academic. It is hard to escape historical questions. You will find your research experience useful if, for example, you become an attorney and need to argue a case about who did what and under which circumstances, or if you enter the business world and have to advocate a particular course of action for your enterprise. In addition, students in the past have commented especially on how their writing skills were improved by preparing research papers.