LLT 325 Greek Civilization Fall 2016

Dr. Edwin Carawan http://courses.missouristate.edu/ECarawan

office hours: 2pm MWF; 1pm TTh, Siceluff 115

ECarawan@missouristate.edu ph. 836-4831

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. We draw on primary sources to establish a basic understanding of the culture that gave rise to these developments, in two sections: '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 2-3 Quizzes and 1-2 Essays, with option of Essay 2 or Quiz 3 (totaling 75%); and a Final Exam (25%).

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); online at MIT,or better at SacredTexts.

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. 23 . . .Introduction: a scene from Odyssey 2 Unit I. The Persian Wars and the Rise of Athens

Aug. 25 . . . 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. 30 ... Cyrus and the Conquest of Asia