Objectives: This course is an introduction to the Classical Greek World with particular emphasis on the rise and fall of Athens, the birthplace of democracy, the cradle of tragedy and comedy, and the showcase for advances in art and architecture. Drawing upon primary sources, we will try to establish a basic understanding of the culture that gave rise to these developments. We focus upon 'The New World Order' that emerged after the Persian Wars; and 'The Invention of Athens' as a national identity.
Requirements: the course grade consists of 2 Quizzes (15pts. each), 2 Essays (20 pts. each) and a Final Exam (30 pts). The quizzes and the Final include short-answer, brief identification, and discussion questions.
The Essays should present a coherent argument (thesis, evidence and conclusion), based upon the readings and class discussions. The assigned readings should be completed for the scheduled date, so that you can make an informed contribution. Class participation will be essential and may be valued as much as a letter-grade.
Any academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions proportional to the offense: no credit for Quiz; F for the course for plagiarism on Essays; XF on Final. See Student Academic Integrity. To make-up missed work or to make special arrangements to take or turn in required work at another time you should have a documented necessity. See also Policy Statement regarding Essays and electronic submissions.
Special considerations: We strongly support University policies to accommodate students with disabilities and to prevent or remedy discrimination of any kind. If you have a concern or special need, please advise the instructor. In regard to disabilities, you may also contact Disability Services (836-4192) http://www.missouristate.edu/disability; regarding discrimination, the Equal Opportunity Officer (836-4252) or go to http://www.missouristate.edu/human/eoaa.htm.
Texts: Herodotus. On the War for Greek Freedom, Shirley transl. (2003);
Sophocles, Four Tragedies (Ajax etc.),
Meineck & Woodruff trans.
Aristophanes I Clouds, Wasps, Birds, Meineck transl.
Readings from Thucydides and Xenophon
(linked to this syllabus)
Further materials will be provided in handout and online.
Additional resources can be found at http://www.perseus.tufts.edu
Aug. 24 . . .Introduction: a scene from Odyssey 2 Unit I. The Persian Wars and the Rise of Athens Aug. 26 . . . Background: birth of the polis. Scenes from the Bronze Age Reading: Herodotus intro. pp. vii-xviii, and 1-17 Herodotus 1.1-71 -- 'Croesus and Cyrus' Persian Empire (map) Attica and Pisistratus Aug. 28-31 ... Cyrus and the Conquest of Asia pp. 17-50 ( 1.72-216) Custom and the Egyptians Sept. 2 ... Fall of Cambyses, Rise of Darius: pp.51-89 (books 2-5) Sept. 4 ... Miletus to Marathon: pp. 90-118(books 5- 6) A tale of 3 cities: evolving government much simplified Sept. 9 ... Spartans at Thermopylae. Book 7, pp. 119-51 Sept. 11 ... Salamis and Plataea, Bks. 8-9, pp. 151-82. Artemisia speaks Sept. 14 . . . Quiz 1 guide -- Practice Quiz-- In-class exercise in drawing national character Sept. 16 ... Quiz 1 Unit II. The New World Order Sept. 18 . . . History and Tragedy: Art Overview. Temple of Aphaia: West Pediment; East Pediment Delian League to Athenian Empire; Outline, Chronology 479-31 Aeschylus Persians 759-842 Sept. 21-23 . . . Sophocles' Ajax fragment of song: from a classical chorus on Ajax (?) Sept. 25-28 . . . Sophocles' Trachiniae ('Women of Trachis') Sept. 30 . . . Trachiniae and Ajax (Discussion). Prepare for in-class exercise on key themes,comparing one character from each play, 2 defining passages for each character. Oct. 2 ...Preview your Essay: Brief thesis statement and Outline, listing key passages; send your outline as e-mail attachment Sophists and speechwriters: Anaxagoras (precursor of the Atomists) and Antiphon (Murder by Poisoning), Intro, Art of the Empire: Tour of the Parthenon; Architectural Terms Myron's Diskobolos (model of rhythmos) |
Oct. 9 . . . Essay 1: End of the Heroic Ethos Submit your Essay as e-mail attachment Unit III. The Invention of Athens Oct. 5-21 ... Readings from Thucydides, 1-10 Chronology Oct. 5-7 ...Study questions on Thuc. 1 & 2. [1] 'Thucydides on the early History of Hellas' [2] Athens Builds an Empire Oct. 9-12... Study questions on Thuc. 3-5 (Essay due) [3] Congress at Lacedaemon [4] Pericles' Funeral Speech [5] The Debate over Mitylene Oct. 14 ... Study questions on Thuc. 6-7 [6] Civil War on Corcyra [7] Melian Dialogue Oct. 19-21 ... Study questions on Thuc. 8-10 [8] Debate on Sicily Map [9] Alcibiades in Sparta [10] Disaster in Sicily Map Oct. 23-26 ... Sophocles' Electra Oct. 28 ... Acropolis made plain.....Later Acropolis Buildings Gorgias' Helen ....Protagoras and Gorgias on Reality Oct. 30 . . . Review and discussion for Quiz 2 (link below) Nov. 2. . . . Quiz 2 Nov. 4-9 ... Aristophanes Wasps: comedy and social commentary a snapshot from Acharnians: Megarian comes to market
Nov. 9-13 ...... Birds and Lysistrata [full text] Agon & End Chronology 411-322 Attica (map) Nov. 13-16 . . . Sophocles' Philoctetes Nov. 18 Fall of Athens: Readings 11-12 Study Guide The Restoration of Democracy Art at the End of Empire Nov. 20 ... Essay 2: Deciding Identity Epilogue: Individual and Polis Nov. 23 & 30 . . . Aristophanes Clouds Dec. 2-4. . . Plato, Apology of Socrates ... (Text online) Dec. 7-9 . . . Review and Discussion: Final Guide Art after Empire (cont.) One last democratic reform. Dec. 14 (Mon) 8:45 am . . . Final Exam |
