GkCivSyll2001

Gorgon's head on a silver coin of Naples

Classics 227:

Greek Civilization

Fall 2001

The god Apollo on a gold coin of Syracuse

Instructor: Dr. Victor A. Leuci

www.wcmo.edu/wc_users/homepages/faculty/leuciv/index.html

Office Hours:

Link: Web resources for Greek Civilization

Texts:

H. von Staden, Western Literature, Vol. I, New York 1971 (von Staden)
S. B. Pomeroy, S. M. Burstein, W. Donlan, and J. T. Roberts, Ancient Greece: A Political, Social, and Cultural History, Oxford, 1999 (Pomeroy)
R. B. Kebric, Greek People, 3rd edit., Mountain View, CA, 2001 (Kebric)

Objectives: The course is a survey of ancient Greek life and thought. Our goals are to:

establish a basic understanding of ancient Greek culture and daily life;
understand how everyday life was affected by politics, economics, societal norms, and the culture;
appreciate the literature and art produced by Greece and its significance;
understand the evolution of political and religious systems in Greek history;
understand how the political, economic, religious, cultural, and social aspects of ancient Greece were related and integrated;
appreciate how ancient Greek culture is similar to and different from contemporary culture, providing roots for much of our modern Western culture; and
learn to reach and defend positions based on careful analysis of primary sources and thoughtful and judicious use of secondary sources (with an awareness of how and why the secondary sources agree and disagree).

Relationship to the General Education Curriculum: Greek Civilization 227 satisfies one of the two courses required within the Historical Perspectives Context of Tier II. As stated in the course objectives, Greek Civilization 227 provides students with opportunities to immerse themselves in the ancient Greek culture and daily life, learning how it evolved politically, socially, culturally, and economically over time. Mastering an understanding of a culture’s art, architecture, literature, philosophy, science, economics, politics, and religion offers opportunities for reflection on varying cultural, social, and historical traditions including work, family, voluntary associations, government. The course will also foster an awareness of the role of values in decision making, search for meaning and identity, and the ethical issues of society. Students should also gain insight into ways their culture is similar to and different from the ancient Greek culture. It is intended that students will acquire a deeper understanding of the breadth of our human experience and heritage over the expanse of Greek history. Also intended is the understanding of the interrelationships of the political, social, artistic, cultural, intellectual, religious, and scientific aspects of life in ancient Greece. Finally, it is expected that students will gain a greater respect for other peoples and cultures because of their study of ancient Greek civilization. Through this course, students will develop a propensity for historical methods of study that lead to an understanding of patterns and meaning in history. The teaching and use of historical methods will be key for much of the above discussions, examinations, and analysis. It is expected that the students will be able to reach and defend their own positions based on careful analysis of primary sources (keeping in mind that many of our ‘primary’ sources for this time period are, in fact, secondary to varying degrees) and thoughtful and judicious use of secondary sources.

Writing-Intensive Option: Several different types of writing will be part of the course: microthemes, in-class exams that are predominately essay, and/or take-home exams (note that writing intensive students must choose the take-home version for two of the exams). Seven microthemes will be assigned as a means to help participants come to a better understanding of important themes, ideas, and concepts. One of the first microthemes will be revised on the basis of a conference with me; three of the following microthemes will be revised on the basis of a conference with a tutor at the Writing Lab. These conferences must take place sooner than the day before an assignment is due (i.e. if a paper is due on a Thursday, the conference must take place on the previous Tuesday or earlier). A critique and conference after the completion of a paper may also occur. Any/all of the other microthemes and take-home exams may be revised on the basis of a conference with me or a tutor at the Writing Lab. In general, participants in the class should highly consider using the services of the Writing Lab and especially the Lab tutors, who can be of tremendous assistance.

Format: The course will consist of both lectures and discussion. The class will occasionally be divided into small groups to treat discussion topics that will most often be based on readings from ancient authors. Microthemes may be assigned based on the results of the small group discussions. The microthemes are especially designed to facilitate the learning of important details and concepts of the course. Often the microthemes will represent the first opportunity to come to grips with an important block of material or ideas which we will treat from several different perspectives or in several different contexts.

Grading: 2 Exams (100 points each) and 6-8 microthemes (each worth 30 points and each 600-900 words long)--Note: the last two microthemes are due when the final is scheduled and are, in effect, the final. You may choose to double the length of either or both of the last two microthemes (i.e. the final) with a resulting doubling in points either or both are worth--note that these are not "extra credit" points, but also increase the total number of points your grade is calculated from. In addtion class participation (which may include web discussion) will count for 50 points. No late papers will be accepted without prior permission. A hard copy and an electronic copy of papers are due at the beginning of the class period (failure to turn in an electronic copy will result in a two letter grade deduction in the grade of the assignment). I expect you to abide by Westminster’s honor code. Let me repeat, no make-up work will be accepted for unexcused absences. A hard copy and an electronic copy of papers are due at the beginning of the class period. If you know that something has come up that will prevent you from turning your work in on time, confer with me BEFORE the due date of the assignment.

Exams: The exams will be a combination of fill-in the blank or short answer with essays. Usually there will be 10-15 fill in the blank questions worth 2 points each and two essays (300 to 400 words each) worth 35 points each. The essays should be well written in standard paragraph format and replete with pertinent facts to support your thesis (or theses). A review sheet will be typically available on-line one week before the exam as an aid in your preparation. Some exams may have a take-home option (the review sheet for that exam will give more details).

Papers:

Content:

They will typically focus on a specific question based on your readings or possibly on a web site. The questions will usually by narrow in focus, and your paper should correspond. The thesis you maintain in your paper should be supported with facts from the readings and from quotes where appropriate. The paper, however, should not be one long quotation. They are not intended to be research in nature; rather they are intending to be opportunities for you to examine certain topics and to come up with reasonable responses, i.e. responses that are based on reason and that can be supported by the information which has been covered in this class.

Formatting Suggestions:

Should be double spaced.
Start with a simple heading at the top of the page giving your name, etc.--also give the number of words in the paper
Use any basic font--it takes less paper if you don't use Courier.

Attendance: Regular attendance and participation are essential for the success of the whole class. More than two unexcused absences will be considered excessive, and no make-up work will be accepted for unexcused absences. Also, each unexcused absence after the first two will result in a deduction of 7.5 points first from your class participation grade, then, if necessary, from your total points for the semester.

TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS (tentative)

Aug. 28

Tu
General Introduction. The Minoans and the Mycenaeans. Pomeroy Ch. 1, 1-17

30

Th
The Mycenaeans, cont. Pomeroy Ch. 1, 18-40

Sept. 4

Tu
The Dark Age, Pomeroy Ch. 2, 41-70

6

Th
Intro. to Homer and the Heroic World. The Iliad, von Staden 46-89. Discussion Questions & helpful web sites (click here)

11

Tu
Classes Cancelled due to National Disaster

13

Th
Finish the Iliad.Begin The Odyssey, von Staden 90-112; Discussion Questions & helpful web sites (click here)

18

Tu
Finish the Odyssey. von Staden 113-149; Microtheme #1 due (note change) (Topic.)

20

Th
Archaic Greece: Kebric, Ch. 1. Also web sites: (translation of some of Archilochus' poetry; translation of some Lyric Poets) Discussion Questions

25

Tu
Archaic Greece: Kebric, Ch. 1-2 (Poem of Tyrtaeus; Sappho's poetry) (Discussion Questions)

27

Th
Archaic Greece, Kebric, Ch. 2 (Discussion Questions); Microtheme #2 due: (Topic.)

Oct. 2

Tu
NO CLASS. School Holiday

4

Th
The Olympics, Kebric, Ch. 3; Review for Exam I

9

Tu
Archaic Greece, Kebric, Ch. 4, 92-105

11

Th
EXAM I: Review Sheet for Exam (click here). Take-home exam (click here)

16

Tu
Sparta. Pomeroy Ch. 4

18

Th
Athens. Pomeroy Ch. 5, 159-177

23

Tu
Herodotus and the Persian Wars. von Staden 152-160; selections on the web; Pomeroy Ch. 5, 178-200, and Ch. 7, 260-262;

25

Th
Herodotus and the Persian Wars continued; Microtheme #3 due:(Topic.)

30

Tu
Fifth Century Life; Intro. to Greek Drama. Pomeroy Ch. 6, 201-225, 233-244, and Ch. 7, 262-264

Nov. 1

Th
Greek Drama. Sophocles’ Oedipus the King. von Staden 226-266

6

Tu
Aristophanes’ Lysistrata. von Staden 310-351

8

Th
Fifth Century Art & Architecture. Pomeroy Ch. 6, 225-233, and Ch. 7, 274-283; Microtheme #4 due:(Topic.)

13

Tu
Thucydides and the Peloponessian War. Pomeroy Ch. 6, 265-267, and Ch. 8, 319-323, 326-330 von Straden 208-223

15

Th
EXAM II: Review Sheet for Exam (click here). Take-home exam (click here)

20

Tu
Kebric, Ch. 7; Microtheme #5 due: (Topic.)

22

Th
NO CLASS Thanksgiving

27

Tu
The Fourth Century; the Trial and Death of Socrates, von Straden 354-381

29

Th
The Fourth Century, continued. Pomeroy, Ch. 9; Phillip II, Pomeroy, Ch. 10, 377-381, 390-391; Microtheme #6 due: (Topic.)

Dec. 4

Tu
Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic World, Pomeroy Ch. 11, 423-425 and Ch. 12, 441-470; Kebric, Ch. 8, 223-228, 256-257; Theocritus (handout)

6

Th
A Taste of Ancient Greece

12

W
3:00 p.m. (TR 9:25 a.m. class) FINAL (Topics)

14

F
8:30 a.m. (TR 2:00 p.m. class) FINAL (Topics)

Aug. 28	Tu	General Introduction. The Minoans and the Mycenaeans. Pomeroy Ch. 1, 1-17
30	Th	The Mycenaeans, cont. Pomeroy Ch. 1, 18-40
Sept. 4	Tu	The Dark Age, Pomeroy Ch. 2, 41-70
6	Th	Intro. to Homer and the Heroic World. The Iliad, von Staden 46-89. Discussion Questions & helpful web sites (click here)
11	Tu	Classes Cancelled due to National Disaster
13	Th	Finish the Iliad.Begin The Odyssey, von Staden 90-112; Discussion Questions & helpful web sites (click here)
18	Tu	Finish the Odyssey. von Staden 113-149; Microtheme #1 due (note change) (Topic.)
20	Th	Archaic Greece: Kebric, Ch. 1. Also web sites: (translation of some of Archilochus' poetry; translation of some Lyric Poets) Discussion Questions
25	Tu	Archaic Greece: Kebric, Ch. 1-2 (Poem of Tyrtaeus; Sappho's poetry) (Discussion Questions)
27	Th	Archaic Greece, Kebric, Ch. 2 (Discussion Questions); Microtheme #2 due: (Topic.)
Oct. 2	Tu	NO CLASS. School Holiday
4	Th	The Olympics, Kebric, Ch. 3; Review for Exam I
9	Tu	Archaic Greece, Kebric, Ch. 4, 92-105
11	Th	EXAM I: Review Sheet for Exam (click here). Take-home exam (click here)
16	Tu	Sparta. Pomeroy Ch. 4
18	Th	Athens. Pomeroy Ch. 5, 159-177
23	Tu	Herodotus and the Persian Wars. von Staden 152-160; selections on the web; Pomeroy Ch. 5, 178-200, and Ch. 7, 260-262;
25	Th	Herodotus and the Persian Wars continued; Microtheme #3 due:(Topic.)
30	Tu	Fifth Century Life; Intro. to Greek Drama. Pomeroy Ch. 6, 201-225, 233-244, and Ch. 7, 262-264
Nov. 1	Th	Greek Drama. Sophocles’ Oedipus the King. von Staden 226-266
6	Tu	Aristophanes’ Lysistrata. von Staden 310-351
8	Th	Fifth Century Art & Architecture. Pomeroy Ch. 6, 225-233, and Ch. 7, 274-283; Microtheme #4 due:(Topic.)
13	Tu	Thucydides and the Peloponessian War. Pomeroy Ch. 6, 265-267, and Ch. 8, 319-323, 326-330 von Straden 208-223
15	Th	EXAM II: Review Sheet for Exam (click here). Take-home exam (click here)
20	Tu	Kebric, Ch. 7; Microtheme #5 due: (Topic.)
22	Th	NO CLASS Thanksgiving
27	Tu	The Fourth Century; the Trial and Death of Socrates, von Straden 354-381
29	Th	The Fourth Century, continued. Pomeroy, Ch. 9; Phillip II, Pomeroy, Ch. 10, 377-381, 390-391; Microtheme #6 due: (Topic.)
Dec. 4	Tu	Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic World, Pomeroy Ch. 11, 423-425 and Ch. 12, 441-470; Kebric, Ch. 8, 223-228, 256-257; Theocritus (handout)
6	Th	A Taste of Ancient Greece
12	W	3:00 p.m. (TR 9:25 a.m. class) FINAL (Topics)
14	F	8:30 a.m. (TR 2:00 p.m. class) FINAL (Topics)