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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CL/HS 221"
COURSE NAME: "History of Ancient Greece"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2015
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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:
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.
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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:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| group presentation | | 15% |
| research paper (2000 words) | | 20% |
| midterm exam | | 25% |
| 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
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Session Focus
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Reading Assignment
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Other Assignment
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Meeting Place/Exam Dates
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Jan 19
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Introduction to the course and material.
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Jan 21
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The Greek World in the Bronze Age: The Minoan-Mycenan Civilization
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Textbook, ch. 1
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Jan 26
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The Dark Age of Greece and the Eight Century Renaissance
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Textbook, ch. 2
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Jan 28
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Archaic Greece
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Textbook, ch. 3
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Feb 2
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Sparta
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Textbook, ch. 4
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Feb 4
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Students presentation: Greek religion and mythology
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Material prepared by the students
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Feb 9
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The Growth of Athens and the Persian Wars
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Textbook, ch. 5
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Feb 11
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The Persian Wars
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Textbook, ch. 5
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Herodotus, Histories, selected passages
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Feb 16
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The Growth of Athenian Democracy
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Textbook, ch. 6
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Feb 18
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Student Presentation: Greek Art and Architecture
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Material prepared by the students
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Feb 23
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Periclean Athens
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Textbook, ch. 5
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Feb 25
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Students presentation: Greek War and Warfare
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Material prepared by the students
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Mar 2
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review for Midterm Exam
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Ch. 1-6
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Mar 4
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Midterm exam
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Mar 9
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Greece on the Eve of the Peloponnesian War
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Textbook, ch. 7
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Mar 11
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Students presentation: The Greek Way of Life
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Material prepared by the students
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Mar 16
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No class
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Mar 18
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No class
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Mar 23
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The Course of the Peloponnesian War
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Textbook, ch. 8 Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War, selected passages
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Mar 25
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Students presentation: Greek Economy
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Material prepared by the students
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Mar 30
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The Peloponnesian War Part II
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Textbook, ch. 8 Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War, selected passages
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Apr 1
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The Crisis of the Polis and the Age of Shifting
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Textbook, ch. 9
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Apr 6
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Spring Break
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Apr 8
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Spring Break
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Apr 13
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Philip II and the Rise of Macedon
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Texbook, ch. 10
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Apr 20
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Alexander the Great
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Textbook, ch. 11
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RESEARCH PAPER DUE
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Apr 22
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The Historigraphy of Alexander the Great: between History and Myth
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Plutarch, Life of Alexander
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Apr 27
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Alexander's Successors and the Cosmopolis
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Textbook, ch. 12
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Apr 29
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Epilogue: the Hellenistic World and the Coming of Rome
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Textbook, Epilogue
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