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Greek Civilization

Spring 2009

Greek Civilization. We examine and appreciate Greek civilization from its beginnings in the eastern world to its demise at the hands of Rome. We look at the only democracy--other than ours--to last over one hundred years. Our concepts of equality before the law and first considerations of social justice also begin with the Greek reinterpretation of Eastern thought. We explore the art, literature, and philosophy that still speaks to us and has meaning for us after two thousand years.

This year, we added a short section on how to recognize climate change in the archaeological record and added some implications of the drought of around 700.

COURSE TEXTS (REQUIRED)

"Ancient Greece--a Political, Social, and Cultural History," by Sarah Pomeroy, Stanley Burstein, Walter Donlan, and Jennifer Roberts. Abbreviated as: Anct Gr.
"Classics in Translation," by MacKendrick and Howe. Abbreviated as" Mack.
"Ten Greek Plays," by Lind. Abbreviated as "Ten Plays."

REQUIREMENTS:

Two semester exams, first one 15%, second one 20%
TEN-FIFTEEN PAGE PAPER ON ANCIENT PASSAGE NOT OTHERWISE ASSIGNED 15%
JOURNAL ON ANCIENT PASSAGES NOTED BY * 10%
GROUP PROJECT 10%
PREPARATION/CLASS PARTICIPATION 10%
FINAL EXAMINATION, 20%

EXAMINATIONS. There are three examinations in this course. They have all been listed since the first day of the course. Make up exams are the RARE exception, not the rule, and are allowed only at the discretion of the instructors; such matters must be arranged in writing no fewer than forty-eight hours in advance of the regularly scheduled exam time. Only extreme, valid, documented emergencies are the exception to this rule. We have an honor code at Southwestern; it has always seemed unfair to your instructor that your inability to plan should give you an advantage over other students.
Exam Number One is February 4
Exam Number Two is March 25

THE FINAL EXAMINATION IS THURSDAY, May 7, from 8:30--11:30 (except for graduating seniors); the final exam is on material from the latter part of the class and is not inclusive (it's an exam, not the Olympics!).

TEN-FIFTEEN PAGE PAPER. This paper (paper topic due Feb. 16, rough draft due Mar. 6), due Mar. 30, is on an ancient work of literature illustrating aspects of Greek civilization. The topic, selected by the student, must be approved by the instructor in advance. It may not be, so do not ask, on any piece of literature assigned for course readings at any time during the course.Deadlines are firm, penalities assessed for each day late as well as for improper or incomplete footnote or bibliography forms. One day ends and another begins at 5 p.m., so 5 points late for each day rough draft, 10 points each day late for final draft. Ten points deducted for improper or incomplete bibliography; ten points deducted for improper or incomplete footnotes. Intellectual honesty is a path worth following.

JOURNAL. Assigned readings, marked by an asterisk (*) on the syllabus provide the material for the journal. Each journal entry contains:

name, dates, origins of author
very brief summary of ancient passage
short discussion of nature, value of source in giving us information about Greek civilization.
the idea behind the journal is to recreate an intellectual dialogue between the instructor and the student--we have a conversation.
due dates are on the assignment page, first pick up will be for information only. The journal will be done within the segue system.

This journal is graded on completion as well as a certain basic understanding--it is an easy way to get a 100 grade of 10% of your final grade--just complete it on time and following the instructions.

GROUP PROJECT. Students form groups of 2 or 3 to prepare a group project due the last three class meetings. The project will explore any aspect of Greek civilization not covered in class or a more in-depth look at an aspect of a subject in class. Each group will make a presentation of the project to class. Each group must provide an annotated bibliography with their presentation. They may present a power-point, or they may write and perform an original piece inspired by the class. Attendance is MANDATORY for all students at these classes--support your friends! You get to be Socrates, Archimedes, Sappho, or anyone else and get to teach us something!! Group project topic due date is March 11; Group Projects are April 6, April 8 and April 13; the project topics will be on the final exam so that your friends in class will appreciate any materials from which they may study!

ATTENDANCE. Students are expected to attend class. Lectures and discussions are not re-runs of assignments. Grade for preparation/class participation will be based upon attendance and upon participation in class discussion; class discussion means"quality" rather than "quantity." Class participation should reveal preparation.

Students should feel free to express their OWN opinions. Greek civilization, like all ancient civilizations, is only partly understood--much is missing and we make reasoned assumptions as to the rest. The important thing to keep in mind is an attitude of respect for each other, our classmates, and the ancient Greeks. For further information, consult the SU Academic Rights for students.

The dates on this segue page are carved in stone: the daily assignments and sometimes the journal entries will change, but the dates here are firm.

Summary of dates carved in beautiful Greek script on stone:

Exam One (take in class) February 4
Paper Topic Due (submit on seque) February 16
Rough Draft of Paper (no electronic submissions) March 6
Group Project Topic Due (submit on seque) March 11--only one member needs to submit; include all names of the group
Exam Two (take in class) March 25
Paper Due (no electronic submissions) March 30
Group Projects April 6, April 8, April 13-attendance is mandatory
Final Exam May 7, 8:30--11:30

The plus and minus grading system in effected at Southwestern will be used for final grades. The ancients were absolute giants in terms of math, science, and natural philosophy unlike your merely mortal instructor. If you feel that the grades have been average incorrectly, please do not hesitate to contact the instructor. Semester percentage averages will translate to the following letter grades (anything below 60 if a failure):

Grade	Inclusive % Range	GPA POINTS
A+	96.7-100	4.00
A	93.4-96.6	4.00
A-	90.0-93.3	3.67
B+	86.7-89.9	3.33
B	83.4-86.6	3.00
B-	80.0-83.3	2.67
C+	76.7-79.9	2.33
C	73.4-76.6	2.00
C-	70.0-73.3	1.67
D+	66.7-69.9	1.33
D	63.4-66.6	1.00
D-	60.0-63.3	0.67

How to contact the current instructor for Greek civilization? The instructor works part time and is on campus Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Office hours (Mood Bridwell 223) are one hour before class or by appointment, call 863-1554. ABOUT EMAIL: EMAIL ONLY GETS CHECKED MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY during normal working hours (8 am-5 pm). Do not expect that an email sent at 1 or 2 am will generate a response. Email seems to be a vehicle for many people as an opportunity to spew forth garbage, anger, or frustration. Please refrain from these emails--you may want to hold any emails for twenty four hours before sending them. The instructor PREFERS TO TALK TO STUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY or to READ HANDWRITTEN NOTES from them. Please take the time to make an appointment so we can get to know one another. It is really good that we respect one another and have professional discussions! It's a benefit of attending a small, liberal arts college that we get to know one another!

Monday, January 12	Introduction, going over requirements
Wednesday Jan. 14	Topography, Bronze Age	AnctGr 1-50 (18-40) See section on Lerna under "plans"
Friday Jan. 16	Bronze Age, Bronze Age Art	AnctGr 1-50 (18-40) Virtual Pylos Tour

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King holiday	Holiday, no class	Holiday
Wednesday Jan 21 09	Bronze Age Review	Bronze Age review; look over section on Bronze Age under docs
Friday Jan 23	Iron Age, history, art	AnctGr 51-84 (41-81)

Mon Jan 26 09	Iliad Iron Age	Mack13-48; Bk. V, pp. 24-28 If you want to read it online (perseus) here are the assignments; BOOK I, 490-611; II 110-277; V 432-448; VI 237-529, IX 600-713; XVI 1-95; 684-867; XVIII 462-617; XXII 395-515; XXIV 471-691
Wed. Jan 28 09	Odyssey Iron Age	Mack, 49-80. Review AntGr 84-95 If you want to read it online (perseus) here are the assignments: Book I, 1095, 325-382; IV 121-188; V 149-170, 313-493; VI whle book; VII 81-135; VIII 62-95; IX 181-336; X 210-245, 271-364, 373-399; XI 152-224; XII 154-200; XIV 1-147; XIX 465-507; XX 1-123. Our "Teach-In" Day on Climate Change. All universities are asking faculty to teach on climate change; well, in Ancient Athens starting around 700 BC, there was a drought, evidenced by wells being filled in. This drought caused a high mortality rate and effected public policy; so I've added information about this under the tab "docs".
Fri Jan 30 09	Archaic Greece, Introduction and Overview	AnctGr 97-123 (82-109); look over section on "hoplite virtue" under "docs" tab

Mon Feb 2 09	Hesiod Archaic Greece	Mack **88-91 FIRST JOURNAL DUE by 5 p.m.--submitted only on seque, note how the readings are due cleverly two whole days before the exam!
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4	EXAM NUMBER ONE	EXAM NUMBER ONE
Fri Feb 6 09	Archaic Art, Archaeology, Literature NOTE: THIS IS THE DAY OF THE BROWN SYMPOSIUM AND THERE IS A LECTURE ENDING DURING OUR CLASS SO WE CAN NOT HAVE CLASS; you ARE STILL responsible for the readings and the journal; we will try to squish two lectures together on Monday.	AnctGr 123-147 (109-130) Mack Better part p.94, Passion p.96 (just these short poems; one by Archilochus and by Sappho; see the Archilochus section under the "docs" tab

Monday Feb 9 09	Persian Wars	AnctGr 97-149;180-200 Mackpp.121-122; pp.123-128 (note these pages are not marked with an asterisk--read this second set, but do not* include them in journal),*Mack, pp.129-130.
Wednesday Feb 11 09	Persian Wars Or, The Real 300	AnctGr 201-224 Under the "plans" tab are descriptions of the battles and also plans of the battles
Friday Feb 13 09	Early ClassicalArt, Architecture, Literature	AnctGr 242-253 Mack*Pythian 1, 5th Nemean, pp. 98-100; see also Pindar section. This poem will be discussed in class; be prepared to DISCUSS IT.

Monday Feb 16 09	Early classical art and archaeology II Paper Topic Due	Discussion of Paper Topic, Paper Topic Due Feb 16 5 pm, submit on seque; Click on "Paper Topic Approval" Tab for Paper Suggestions and Requirements
	Ancient Greek Life
Fri Feb 20 09	Tragedy, part one Justice & Vendetta in a Performance Culture	Aeschylus, "Agamemnon", in Ten Plays, read entire play, comment only on *lines 1372-1399, pp. 69-70

Mon Feb 23 09	Tragedy, part two	Aeschylus, "Prometheus Bound," in Ten Plays, read entire play, comment only on lines 1040-1053. **PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE CLASS; think especially about justice and the references to tyranny and "might is right". Think especially about the quotes on the webpage about the divine nature of justice.
Wed Feb 25 09	Intro. to Peloponnesian War	AnctGr 246-272 Mack*307-311 (note this section is for your journals!) Anct Gr 272-301
Fri Feb 27 09	Tragedy, part three	Anct Gr 272-301 Sophocles, "Antigone," in Ten Plays; see also the section on Sophocles and the broader picture

Monday Mar 2 09	Tragedy, part four; the web hand out is for both the "Suppliants" and the "Andromache"	Euripides, "Suppliants", in Ten Plays
	Tragedy, part five. Please read the play and think about what values are described; please bring your books.	Euripides, "Andromache," in Ten Plays Be prepared to discuss this play especially as regards the values, ethics, standards of the Periklean age
Friday Mar 6 09	Peloponnesian War ROUGH DRAFT OF PAPER DUE--no electronic submissions allowed; bring to class or deliver to Mood-Bridwell 223 by 5 pm--remember the more you work on this paper, the better your final grade will be. If you have never done footnotes or "sources cited" page (also known as bibliography), please try to do each and hand them in when you hand in your rough draft. You want your grade to be good, so work hard on the rough draft!!!	AnctGr 316-348 Mack "Old Oligarch"*** 223-230

Monday Mar 9 09	Classical Art and Archaeology	Anct Gr review pp. 247-253; read 301-311
Wednesday Mar 11 09	Thucydides Group Project Topic due at 5 pm; submit on seque--only one person needs to submit per group but name the others in your group.	Mack 231-259; comment *on numbers 34-46, pp. 239-243 and on numbers 85-97, pp. 248-249. Note how there are NO links on this page; we will discuss Thucydides in class, so prepare.
Fri Mar 13 09	Spring Break Begins at 10 pm; yes, there is class. COMEDY	Aristophanes, "Lysistrata", in Ten Plays, p. 365 ff. ****Comment in your journal on the parabasis.

Monday Mar. 23 09	Aftermath of War, immediate consequences JOURNAL TWO DUE AT 5 pm today SUBMIT ON SEQUE	AnctGr 348-356 Mack *319-328
Wednesday March 25 2009	EXAM NUMBER TWO	EXAM NUMBER TWO
Friday Mar 27 09	AFTERMATH OF WAR, longer consequences	Anct Gr 356-364 Mack337-340, 369-388

Monday Mar 30 09	PHILIP II PAPER DUE TODAY AT 5 PM; bring it to class or bring it to Mood-Bridwell 223 by 5 pm; no electronic submissions allowed. PAPER DUE TODAY	AnctGr 371-393 Mack Demosthenes *286-296
Wednesday, April 1 09	Topography of Athens--city	Learn pictures
Friday, April 3 09	Topography of Olympia--sanctuary	Learn pictures

Monday April 6 09	GROUP PROJECT	ATTENDANCE MANDATORY
WEDNESDAY APRIL 8 09	GROUP PROJECT	ATTENDANCE MANDATORY
FRIDAY APRIL 10 09 EASTER BREAK	no class	no class

Monday April 13 09	Delphi, Sanctuary NOTE THAT THIS IS A CHANGE; THIS HAD BEEN A GROUP PROJECT DATE; BUT, some people may be traveling back from Easter Break. So, we can't really have a mandatory attendance policy.
Wednesday Apr 15 09	GROUP PROJECT	ATTENDANCE MANDATORY
Friday April 17 09	Alexander, Alexander art	Anct Gr. 395-426

Monday April 20 09 Monday Apr. 23	Successors	AnctGr 427-445
Wed April 22 09	Cosmopolis	AnctGr 446-458 Mack Theokritos, First Idyll, pp. 101-102 Meleager pp. 103-104 Anct Gr 471-475
Friday Apr. 24 09	Hellenistic Science JOURNAL DUE AT 5 PM; SUBMIT ON SEQUE	AnctGr 460-463 Mack *312-314 (Archimedes) JOURNAL DUE AT 5 PM

Monday April 27 09	Hellenistic Art and Architecture	AntGr 458-460
Wednesday April 29 09	Hellenistic Successors	Anct Gr 463-470 and 431-446
Friday May 1 09 Last Day of Classes FINAL: Thursday, May 7, 09; 8;30--11:30; emphasis on material from second exam and after	Rome Victorious Course Evaluations	Anct Gr 471-475