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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CL/HS 221"
COURSE NAME: "History of Ancient Greece"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2019
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Benedetta Bessi
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 10:00-11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the history of Ancient Greece from the Archaic Age to the Age of Alexander, the seventh through fourth centuries B.C.E. Focus will be on the rise of Athens and Sparta as the most influential city states in Greece; the development of their respective political, military and social systems; and the causes of the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War that paved the way for the rise of Macedon and domination of the Greek world, first under Philip II, and then his son, Alexander the Great, until his death in 323 B.C.E.  Readings in translation will include Herodotus, Aristophanes, Plato, Thucydides, Xenophon, and Plutarch.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

 

The course will be organized in the form of lectures by the professor to illustrate the chronological overview of Greek history in close parallel with the textbook chapters.  In class quizzes will be aministered regularly to monitor the students' progress in processing the factual information with particular emphasis on the main military and political episode (dates, names, episodes, vocabulary). In addition to this overview of political and social history, aspects of the cultural history of Greece such as religion, family, education, gender etc. will be discussed with direct involvement of the students who are expected to present in small groups on a topic of their choice.
A research paper on Herodotus will serve as the main occasion to familiarize the students with the method and tools of the historiographical research as well as to increase their analytical and critical skills. 
A cumulative final exam comprehending both short answer questions and longer essay questions will test the students's knowledge of the main episodes of Greek historyand their understanding of the dynamics behind the social and political transformations of the Greek poleis from the Archaic age to the Hellenistic era.    

 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course, students will have learned of the methods and strategies by which key Greek city-states and kingdoms, e.g. Athens, Sparta and Macedon expanded into politically and militarily strong, ethnically diverse and geographically complex powers as well as the reasons for their eventual collapse. Key Skills Taught - Critical analysis of sources - Clearer writing ability - More lucid oral expression - Greater facility in working independently and in teams
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
A Brief History of Ancient Greece: Politics, Society, and CultureS. Pomeroy Oxford University Press 0199981558     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The HistoriesHerodotus OUP9780199535668online book 

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
group presentation  15%
research paper (2000 words)  20%
in class quizzes 20%
final exam  30%
attendance and class participation  15%
   

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance will be taken at each scheduled class session. Each unjustified absence after the second  absence will result in your course grade being lowered by 3 points, e.g. after the second unjustified absence, a cumulative total of 87 would be lowered to an 84, changing one’s grade from a B+ to a B. In the event of justifiable absences, i.e. illness or serious injury, please bring a note from the doctor or the Dean of Student Affairs.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

 


Jan 21   Introduction to the course and material.                                               

 Jan 23 The Greek World in the Bronze Age: The Minoan-Mycenean Civilization Textbook, ch. 1                                  

Jan 28 The Dark Age of Greece and the Eight Century Renaissance          Textbook, ch. 2                 

 Jan 30  Archaic Greece Textbook, ch. 3                 

 Feb 4    Sparta   Textbook, ch. 4                 

 Feb 6    The Growth of Athens Textbook, ch. 5                   

Feb 11 In class quiz

Feb 13 Students presentation: Greek religion and mythology       Material prepared by the students

Feb 15 MAKE UP FRIDAY             

 Feb 18  The Persian Wars            

 Feb 20  Student Presentation: Greek Art and Architecture           Material prepared by the students        

Feb 25   The Growth of Athenian Democracy       Textbook, ch. 6                                

 Feb 27  Students presentation: Greek War and Warfare Material prepared by the students                         

 Mar 4   in class quiz                         

 Mar 6   Submission of papers and class discussion on Herodotus           

Mar 8 MAKE UP FRIDAY

Mar 11 Spring break                                     

Mar 13  Spring break                      

Mar 18  Greece on the Eve of the Peloponnesian War     Textbook, ch. 7                 

Mar 20  The Peloponnesian War Part I    Textbook, ch. 8 Thucydides,                       

Mar 25  The Peloponnesian War Part II  Textbook, ch. 8 Thucydides,  

Mar 27  I Students presentation: The Greek Way of Life Material prepared by the students        

Apr 1     in class quiz                     

Apr 3     The Crisis of the Polis and the Age of Shifting     Textbook, ch. 9                 

Apr 8     Students presentation: Greek Economy                Material prepared by the students                        

Apr 10   Philip II and the Rise of Macedon             Textbook, ch. 10                                                             

Apr 15   Alexander the Great      Textbook, ch. 11             

Apr 22   EASTER MONDAY (NO CLASS)     

Apr 24   Alexander's Successors and the Cosmopolis        Textbook, ch. 12

Apr 29   in class quiz

May 1st LABOR DAY (NO CLASS)