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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CL/HS 221"
COURSE NAME: "History of Ancient Greece"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2020
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Benedetta Bessi
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
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 offers  a chronological overview of Greek history from the Aegean prehistory down to the Hellenistic era with special emphasis on the political, military and social transformation of the polis since its foundation down to its decline under the pressure of new power entities.  The complex dynamcs of  Greek history will be explored by lectures and in class discussions and the analysis will be supported by the use of primary sources as well as artistic, archaeological and epigraphic materials. 
A research paper on Herodotus will serve as the main occasion to familiarize the students with th method and tools of the historiographical research as well as to increase their analytical and critical skills. 
This course mainly aims at: 
- offering a well articulated overview of Greek history from the Bronze Age (2nd millenium BCE) down to the Hellenistic era (323-31 BCE).
- discussing the relevance of literary, archaeological and epigraphical sources to the reconstruction of Greek history.
- familiarize the students with the topography and geography of Greece, the Greek world and the Eastern Mediterranean.
- introducing basic elements of political theory and related vocabulary (oligarchy, democracy, demagogy, imperialism, Real Politik, cosmopolitism)

 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- identify the main events, characters and geographical places of Greek history
- critically analyze the various governmental forms and the political institutions of the Greek city states
- discuss the nature and bias of Greek historians and historiography
- evaluate and prioritize the evidence necessary to carry out a coherent analysis of a historical topic
- acknoledge the great contributions of the Greek civilization to the development of Western history in the field of politics, philosophy, education, culture and art.


Other transferable skills acquired include: 
-  Bibliographical research skills
- Academic writing skills
- Oral communication skills
- Collaborative skills
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
A Brief History of Greece S. Pomeroy et alii OUP 978-0199981564     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
group presentation At the beginning of the semester, the students will be organized in small groups (3/4 students depending on class size) and each group is assigned a topic on Greek cultural and social history (Greek religion, Greek art, Greek family life, Greek economy, Greek warfare). Each group is assigned a class slot through the semester and the various members are expected to coordinate to prepare the group presentation where each of them will have about 15 minutes to cover a specific aspect within the broader presentation topic. 15%
research paper (1500 words) the research paper is aimed at investigating Herodotus as father of history by identifying a specific episode covered in the Histories and discussing it both by the use of the primary source itself and relevant secondary sources to add context and insight. 20%
in class quizzes3 in class quizzes will be adminstered through the semester to verify the students' preparation on the various topics covered in class every few weeks20%
final exam A cumulative final exam to be held during final weel and comprehending both short answers and essay questions. 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 4th  absence will result in your course grade being lowered by 1 grade, e.g. after the fourth absence,  a B+ grade will be transformed into a B. 
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

 

Sessions             

Jan 20   Introduction to the course and material.                                               

 Jan 22 The Greek World in the Bronze Age: The Minoan-Mycenean Civilization Textbook, ch. 1                                  

Jan 27 The Dark Age of Greece and the Eight Century Renaissance          Textbook, ch. 2                 

 Jan 29  Archaic Greece Textbook, ch. 3                 

 Feb 3    Sparta   Textbook, ch. 4                 

 Feb 5    The Growth of Athens Textbook, ch. 5                   

Feb 10 In class quiz

Feb 12 Students presentation: Greek religion and mythology       Material prepared by the students

Feb 14 MAKE UP FRIDAY             

 Feb 17The Persian Wars             

 Feb 19  Student Presentation: Greek Art and Architecture           Material prepared by the students        

Feb 24   The Growth of Athenian Democracy       Textbook, ch. 6                                

 Feb 26  Students presentation: Greek War and Warfare Material prepared by the students                         

 Mar 3   in class quiz                         

 Mar 5   Submission of papers and class discussion on Herodotus           

 Mar 9 Spring break                                       

Mar 11  Spring break                      

Mar 16  Greece on the Eve of the Peloponnesian War     Textbook, ch. 7                 

Mar 18  The Peloponnesian War Part I    Textbook, ch. 8 Thucydides,                       

Mar 23  The Peloponnesian War Part II  Textbook, ch. 8 Thucydides,  

Mar 25  Students presentation: The Greek Way of Life   Material prepared by the students        

Mar 30  in class quiz                     

Apr 1     The Crisis of the Polis and the Age of Shifting     Textbook, ch. 9                 

Apr 6     Students presentation: Greek Economy Material prepared by the students                        

Apr 8     Philip II and the Rise of Macedon             Textbook, ch. 10

Apr 13 No Class (Easter Monday)                                                           

Apr 15   Alexander the Great      Textbook, ch. 11             

Apr 20   Alexander's Successors and the Cosmopolis        Textbook, ch. 12

Apr 22   in class quiz

Apr 27 Alexander movie

Apr 29 Wrap up and review for the final