Ancient Rome Course Summary:

Individual Ancient Rome course units are here followed by additional internet links.

The course briefly surveys pre-Roman Italy and then considers important events and people during the ancient Roman monarchy, the Roman republic, and the Roman Empire up to Constantine's transfer of the capital to Constantinople in the early 4th century AD and the subsequent takeover of the Western Empire by barbarian kings.  We also consider the life and lifestyle of the "average" Roman (if there ever was such a person) and end the course with a class on how ancient republican Rome became a model for our American founding fathers. 

Textbooks:  None are needed. 
The usual copious handouts are provided.  If you really feel a need for ink and paper books, several are available.  My recommendations follow:

Richardson's A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome is a great source, but it costs about $90 (new -- from $56 used)  through on-line booksellers.  It was published in 1992, so it does not include the excavations of Rome's Imperial Forums which were accomplished after that time.  (The full text of the "old" -- 1929 -- topo dictionary (what Richardson revised and updated) is available free and is still very useful on the Internet at http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0054. )   

Also Cary and Scullard's A History of Rome Down to the Reign of Constantine is the textbook of choice for many university courses (about $50 new on the Internet -- or used from $34). 

One of the great book bargains on the Internet is the Oxford Archeological Guide to Rome (for only about $14). 

The most commonly used book on how Romans lived is Daily Life of the Ancient Romans by David Matz -- about $15 in paperback from online booksellers.  (But I prefer the older -- and free! -- The Private Life of the Romans by the Johnstons, full text on the Internet at http://www.forumromanum.org/life/johnston.html . )

Finally, Ancient Rome: A Military and Political History by Christopher S. Mackay is a relatively new book (2005) in the "old history" form that concentrates on key decisions and actions by people considered important in their own times (i.e., it has no politically correct chapters that deal with essentially irrelevant things like how the "simple folk" lived).  Available in paperback from online bookstores for about $20 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521809185).