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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CL/HS 221"
COURSE NAME: "History of Ancient Greece"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2014
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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:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The objectives of this course are to study and to clearly comprehend the history of the ancient Greek world beginning with a brief survey of Bronze and Dark Age Greece (3000-700 B.C.E.), then centering on the rise and decline of major Greek city-states until the last quarter of the fourth century B.C.E. and ending with some consideration of the spread of Greek culture in the Mediterranean world in the following three centuries.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course examines the history of Ancient Greece primarily 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 under his son, Alexander the Great, until his death in 323 B.C.E and the partitioning of Alexander’s empire by his successors. Readings in translation will include Herodotus, Aristophanes, Plato, Thucydides, Xenophon, and Plutarch.
Very important: please note that a museum visit (two alternatives dates Jan 24 and Jan 31) is to be considered an integral part of the course and that the students are expected to pay for their entrance fee (around 10 euros).
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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
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| A Brief History of Greece | S. Pomeroy et alii | Oxford University Press | 9780195372359 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| group presentation | | 10% |
| research paper (2000 words) | | 20% |
| midterm exam | | 30% |
| final exam | | 30% |
| attendance and class participation | | 10% |
-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.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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| Session | Session Focus | Reading Assignment | Other Assignment | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
| Jan 13 | Introduction to course and material | | | |
| Jan 15 | Minoan and Mycenean Greece | Textbook, ch. 1 | | |
| Jan 20 | The Dark Age and the Eight Century Renaissance | Textbook, ch. 2 | | |
| Jan 22 | Archaic Greece | Textbook, ch. 3 | | |
| Jan 27 | Sparta | Textbook, ch. 4 | | |
| Jan 29 | The Growth of Athens | Textbook, Ch. 5 | | |
| Feb 3 | The Persian Wars | Textbook, ch. 5 | | |
| Feb 5 | The Growth of Athenian Democracy | Textbook, ch. 6 | | |
| Feb 10 | Students presentation: Greek religion | material prepared by the students | | |
| Feb 12 | Periclean Athens | | | |
| Feb 17 | Students presentation: Greek theatre | material prepared by the students | | |
| Feb 19 | Greece on the Eve of the Peloponnesian War | Textbook, ch. 7 | | |
| Feb 24 | Midterm review | Ch. 1-6 | | |
| Feb 26 | Midterm exam | | | |
| Mar 3 | no class | | | |
| Mar 5 | no class | | | |
| Mar 10 | The Course of the Peloponnesian War | Textbook, ch. 8 | | |
| Mar 12 | Students presentation: Family and Private Life | material prepared by the students | | |
| Mar 17 -19 | Spring break | | | |
| Mar 24 | The Peloponnesian War, part II | Textbook, ch. 8 | | |
| Mar 26 | Students presentation: Greek Economy | Material prepared by the students | | |
| Mar 31 | The Crisis of the Polis and The Shifting of the Hegemonies | Textbook, Ch. 9 | | |
| Apr 2 | The Rise of Macedon and the Age of Philip the 2nd | Textbook, ch. 10 | | |
| Apr 4 | Movie screening: Alexander by Oliver Stone | Textbook, ch. 11 | | |
| Apr 7 | Alexander continued | Textbook, ch. 11 | | |
| Apr 14 | Alexander's Cosmopolis and his Successors | Textbook, ch. 12 | | |
| Apr 16 | The Epilogue: The Coming of Rome | | | |
| Apr 23 | Final Review | | | |
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