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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CL/HS 221"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to the History of Ancient Greece"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Massimo Betello
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 3:00 PM 4:15 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 objective of this course is to survey and discuss the history of Ancient Greece, from its Bronze Age prehistory, through the Greek victory over the Persians, to the Macedonian domination and consequences of the death of Alexander the Great.
This course is designed to allow students to reach a solid knowledge of the main phases of ancient Greek history, with a special focus on the political and military evolution of the city-states and their relationship with the nearby Asian and African states.
Throughout this course we will explore some of the major issues in Greek history: we will use both recent scholarly discussions and primary sources, but also artistic, archaeological and epigraphic materials.
The class discussions and lectures intend to lead students to comprehend the inner working, the strengths, and the shortcomings of the Greek city-states. This will be achieved thanks to the analysis of selected passages from Greek historians and by a study of the most significant Greek monuments, coins, sculptures, and epigraphs
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

·         identify the main events, fact, characters, and geographical places of Ancient Greek history;

·         compare and contrast the functions and powers of the poleis and states that made up Ancient Greece;

·         explain the relevance of some of most important Greek monuments and artworks;

·         explain the significance of selected archeological, epigraphic, numismatic and literary sources of Greek history

·         illustrate how Greek historians were influenced in their creation of Greek history;

·         critically evaluate the stereotypes surrounding ancient Greece;

·         evaluate ancient Greek political tactics with modern ones.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Ancient Greece from Homer to Alexander : The EvidenceJoseph Roisman and J. C. YardleyJohn Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 20119781118300947 (ebook ISBN)EBOOK available from JCU libraryEBOOK available from JCU library   
A Brief History of Ancient Greece (4th edition)Sarah B. Pomeroy and othersOxford University Press, [2015]9780190925338 (ebook ISBN) Purchase ONLY through Perusall (see link on Moodle). Do not buy the physical book. Only the ebook purchased through Perusall is what we'll use in this course.   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Assignmetns and comments.The readings and videos that are part of this assessment method must be accessed from Moodle through Perusall links. Perusall.com is the online platform where these readings are to be done, and no other ways are accepted for these assignments. Readings are to be done before coming to class.5
2 testsThese short tests are intended to foster a regular study and allow the students to be ready for the major exams. Questions will test both factual knowledge (events, date, people etc.), and the comprehension of fundamental historical concepts. Format: short answers, multiple choices, true-false, identifications, map questions, fill-in-the-blanks. 20
Midterm examThe topics tested will be those of the first half of the semester.25
Final examThe topics tested will be those of the second half of the semester only30
One ProjectThe project can take the shape of either a group presentation or a paper.10
Forum DiscussionEvery couple of weeks or so, the professor will post between two and three questions on the Moodle forum of the week. 5
Class participationParticipation (in person or remotely) to the class will be also evaluated. Students are expected to participate to class discussion and to express their questions, doubts, and perplexities.5

-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. A: 94–100; A-: 90-93.99
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments. B+: 87 - 89.99; B: 84 - 86.99; B-: 80 – 83.99.
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. This level of performance demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. C+: 77 – 79.99; C: 74 - 76.99; C-: 70 – 73.99.
DImportant 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. D+: 67 - 69.99; D: 60 – 66.99
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. F: 59.99 >
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Up to four absences are allowed in this course without consequences. More than 4 absences regardless of the reason (that is, missing more than 15% of the course) will have you fail the course.

No justification for any absence is allowed in this course: six absences are enough to cover any event.

Only extended medical emergencies are justified absences. No other reason count as a justified absence: finger-print appointments, sickness, trips, etc. are not justified.
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

Week 01

 

Introduction to the course: syllabus, assessments, logistics, textbooks.

What are we going to deal with in this class? Greek History: What is history? How to write history?. A quick general outlook to all Greek History.

How do we know what we know? Our main sources: ancient historians, archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics.

 

 

 

 

POMEROY – Introduction (14 pages)

How to email a professors

Other readings:

ROISMAN – Introduction (25 pages)

Questions:

 

 

Week 02

 

Early Greece and the Bronze Age (ch 01)

 

 

POMEROY – Ch 01 - Minoans[A1]

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

 

POMEROY – Ch 01 - Miceanans[A2]

Other readings: see Perusall

DEADLINE: BY TODAY – BEFORE CLASS – PROFILE PHOTO ON MOODLE (see syllabus)

 

 

Week 03

 

The Early Iron Age AKA The Dark Age AKA The Geometric Period and the Orientalizing Period (ch 02)

 

 

POMEROY – Ch 02 – to “Community and Householders”

Other readings: see Perusall

DEADLINE: BY TODAY – BEFORE CLASS – SELECT YOUR PROJECT FORMAT AND TOPIC (see syllabus)

 

 

 

POMEROY – Ch 02 – The rest of the chapter

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

Week 04

 

Archaic Greece (ch 03)

Sparta (ch 04)

 

 

POMEROY – Ch 03 – to “The Archaic Age Tyrants”

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

 

POMEROY – Ch 03 – The rest of the chapter

Other readings: see Perusall

ONLINE Test 1 (20 minute long): (chapters 1-2)

 

Week 05

 

Sparta (cont’ed) (ch 04)

The Growth of Athens and the Persian Wars (ch 05)

 

 

POMEROY – Ch 04 – to “Sex and Marriage”

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

 

POMEROY – Ch 04 – the rest of the chapter

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

Week 06

 

The Growth of Athens and the Persian Wars (cont’ed) (ch 05)

The Rivalries and the Greek City States and the Growth of Athenian Democracy (ch 06)

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

Week 07

 

The Rivalries and the Greek City States and the Growth of Athenian Democracy (cont’ed) (ch 06)

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

 

 

MIDTERM (Chapters 1-6)

Duration: the entirety of the class time.

 

SPRING BREAK

 

 

Week 08

 

Greek life and Culture in the Fifth Century (ch 07)

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

Week 09

 

The Peloponnesian War (ch 08)

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

Week 10

 

The Fourth Century BCE: Changing Ideas, Continuing Warfare (ch 09)

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

Week 11

 

Philip II and the Macedonian Supremacy (ch 10)

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

ONLINE TEST 2 (20 minute long) (7-9)

 

 

SUNDAY

DEADLINE: BY TODAY (SUNDAY), SUBMISSION OF ALL THE PAPER PROJECTS.

 

Week 12

 

Philip II and the Macedonian Supremacy (cont’ed) (ch 10)

Alexander the Great (ch 11)

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

Week 13

 

Alexander the Great (cont’ed) (ch 11)

The New World of the Hellenistic Period (ch 12)

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

Week 14

 

The New World of the Hellenistic Period (cont’ed) (ch 12)

The Greco-Roman World (ch 13)

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

 

Other readings: see Perusall

 

Week 15

 

FINAL EXAM

 

TBA