Download 21:510:255 Ancient Greek Civilization (Fall 2012) Class Meeting

21:510:255 Ancient Greek Civilization (Fall 2012)
Class Meeting Time: MTR 1:00-2:20 pm
Class Location: 446 Conklin Hall
Instructor: Dr. Susan Helft
Office: 326 Conklin Hall
Office Hours: Thursdays 10:30-11:30 am or by appointment
email: [email protected]
Course Description: This is a general introduction to the history and culture of the ancient Greeks.
From c. 3000-30 BCE the Greeks developed into one of the most advanced cultures of the ancient world.
Their achievements in art, science, literature, philosophy, astronomy and math lay the foundations of
western society. In this class we will explore the complexities of the Greek achievement, its beginning
and its end.
Required Texts:
 Pomeroy, S. et al. Ancient Greece: A Political, Social and Cultural History. Oxford 2010.
 Herodotus, The Histories. Ed. By J.Marincola (Penguin Books, 2003)
 Thucydides. History of the Peloponnesian War. Ed. By M.I. Finley (Penguin Books, 1972)
*All other readings will be available via Blackboard
Course Requirements: This class will consist of lectures, discussions, four short exams and two writing
assignments. Exams are not cumulative and will include identification of terms, and short answers or
essays. Makeup exams will only be given with a doctor’s note or in the case of emergencies.
Arrangements must be made with me in advance for makeups. The writing assignments will ask you to
produce a 5 page paper from a list of selected topics. More detailed instructions for each assignment
will be given in class. Assignments must be handed in on time, unless discussed with me prior to the
due date. After one day there will be a half grade penalty for each subsequent day. All students must
adhere to the Academic Integrity Policy, available at http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu. Copying
someone else’s work, paraphrasing without citations, and cheating will all result in a failing grade for the
assignment and will be reported to the dean. Flagrant offenses may result in failing the course
altogether. All students are required to e-sign the “Plagiarism Agreement” on the course’s Blackboard
site listed under “Academic Integrity.” You can not get credit for this course unless you have signed this.
Grading: Exams 40%, Paper 1 25%, Paper 2 35%
Attendance Policy: Much of the material you will be responsible for will come from in class visual
presentations and discussions and therefore attendance is mandatory at every class. More than two
unexcused absences will result in a half letter deduction from your overall grade. Excused absences for
illness, family emergency, etc. must be accompanied by appropriate documentation. Anyone who
missed more than six classes altogether will not earn credit for this class. Such students should
withdraw from the class to avoid getting an F. Electronic devices other than laptops are not permitted
during class. If you use your phone during class you will be marked absent for the day.
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities (including learning disabilities) requiring assistance
and/or accommodation should speak with Disability Services (973-353-5300) in a timely manner. Please
notify me at the beginning of the semester if such assistance or accommodation is granted.
Schedule of Classes and Readings: Readings should be completed BEFORE class so that you can
participate in class discussions.
September 6:
Introduction
Pomeroy 1-11
Map exercise
September 10: The Bronze Age: The Minoan World
Pomeroy 12-35
September 13: The Mycenaeans
Pomeroy 35-55
September 17: Rosh Hashana – no class
September 20: “The Dark Ages”
Pomeroy 56-89, Homer, The Odyssey, Book 7: 90-239
September 24: Orientalizing Period/Greek Renaissance, The Olympic Games
Pomeroy 89-101, Swaddling, Judith. The Olympic Games: Where and Why.
September 27: Archaic Greece: The Rise of the Polis
Pomeroy 102-127, Hesiod, Works and Days,202-239 (fable of the hawk and the
nightingale,) Herodotus 4.150-169 and The Theran Decree
October 1:
no class
Exam #1 take home assignment due via Blackboard on Wed. Oct. 3
October 4:
“The Age of Tyrants”
Pomeroy 127-153, Herodotus 5.92 (Cypselus and Periander) and 3.48-53 (Periander)
October 8:
no class (video assignment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auLhL-6dk4Q) due via
Blackboard on Wed. Oct. 10
October 11:
The Rise of Sparta
Pomeroy 154-185, Plutarch, Instituta Laconica.
October 15:
Archaic Athens
Pomeroy 186-207, Plutarch, Life of Solon
October 18:
The Persian Wars
Pomeroy 207-231, Herodotus 7.1-60, 100-105, 138-144, 175-239 (Xerxes and the Battle
of Thermopylae)
October 22:
The Athenian Empire I: The Delian League to the First Peloponnesian War
Pomeroy 232-244, Thucydides 1.126-138 (Pausanias and Themistocles), 1.89-117 (“The
Fifty Years)
Exam #2
October 25:
The Athenian Empire II: Democracy and Empire
Pomeroy 244-249, Thucydides 5.84-116 (Melian Dialogue), (“Old Oligarch”) pseudoXenophon, The Constitution of the Athenians 2.2-4)
October 29:
The Athenian Empire III: Athenian Identity/Achievement
Pomeroy 249-258, Euripides, Ion
November 1:
Athenian Society, Women, Metics and Slaves
Pomeroy 258-276, Lysias 1.
PAPER 1 DUE
November 5:
Peloponnesian War: Causes
Pomeroy 277-289, Thucydides 1.23-88, 1.118-125, 1.139-146, 3.1-50
November 8:
Athenian Intellectual life
Pomeroy 288-309, Plato, Apology, Aristophanes, The Clouds
November 12: museum trip
November 15: The Peloponnesian War I: Causes
Pomeroy 324-349, Thucydides 2.34-46 (Pericles’ Funeral Oration)
Exam #3
November 19: The Peloponnesian War II: The Defeat of Athens
Pomeroy 349-368, Thucydides 3.82
November 22: Thanksgiving Break
November 26: The Corinthian War and the Rise of Thebes
Pomeroy 369-392
November 29: Fourth Century Philosophy
Pomeroy 392-408, Plato, The Republic, Aristotle, Metaphysics X
December 3:
The Rise of Macedonia
Pomeroy 409-433, Demosthenes, Third Philippic.
December 6:
Alexander the Great
Pomeroy 434-468
December 10: The Hellenistic World
Pomeroy 469-511
December 17: Exam #4 and PAPER 2 DUE