Archaic and Classical Greece Fall 2019
INFORMATION SHEET
Archaic and Classical Greece AHC 325/ /CTI 375/HIS 354E (F 2019)
Instructor: Prof. Paula Perlman TA: Susan Crane Office: Waggener 119 Office: Waggener 11 Office Hours: Th 11-12, 1-2 (or by appt.) Office Hours: M 1-3 (or by appt.) Phone: 471-7402 Phone: 471-5742 email: perlman at austin.utexas.edu email: susancrane at utexas.edu
This course focuses on essential developments in Greek history (social, cultural, and political) during the Archaic and Classical Periods (ca. 750-338 BCE): from the rise of the Greek city-states in the eighth century BCE to the subordination of Greece by Philip II of Macedonia in 338 BCE. The course will devote roughly equal time to covering major events and personalities, exploring key developments in culture and society, examining the various types of evidence available for the era (both written and archeological sources), and honing writing skills. We will begin (Weeks 1-3) with a brief look at the geography and climate of Greece and its prehistory, including the Bronze and Early Iron Ages (ca. 1600-750 BCE). Then we will consider (Weeks 4-5) some of the significant developments of the Archaic Period (ca. 750-478 BCE), including the rise of the city-state (or polis) and the first forms of (small “d”) democracy, the invention of the Greek alphabet, the introduction of massed infantry (or hoplite) warfare, and the diaspora of Greeks across the Mediterranean. Thereafter, we will focus (Weeks 6-10) on the two most famous city-states of Greece, Athens and Sparta, and follow their trajectories from their foundation in the Bronze Age, through the Persian War period (490-478 BCE). We will conclude our survey (Weeks 11-16) with the Classical period, including the Peloponnesian War (430-404 BCE) and the complex era of unstable hegemonies in the first half of the fourth century BCE that culminated in 338 BCE when Philip II of Macedonia established his control over Greece.
1. Required Texts
1. Pomeroy, Sarah, et al. 2018. Ancient Greece. A Political, Social, and Cultural History, 4th edition. Oxford University Press. = Pomeroy 2. Matthew Dillon and Lynda Garland. 2010. Ancient Greece. Social and Historical Documents from Archaic Times to the Death of Alexander the Great, 3rd edition. = D&G
NB: please purchase the correct editions as listed above for each title.
Additional required materials will also be posted on Canvas.
2. Canvas
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We will make extensive use of Canvas. In addition to the Syllabus, you will find the following course materials there:
• “Assignment and Study Guide” for each lecture • “Assignment and Study Guide” for the each week’s discussion section • weekly quizzes • supplementary readings • power points
3. Lectures
There will be two weekly lectures (MW 12:00-1:00 in Parlin 201). These will combine historical outline with exploration of historical themes and problems in the interpretation of historical evidence. In order to get the most out of the lectures you will need to have completed the reading assignment in advance of the lecture. Attendance is required and will be checked regularly.
The Syllabus provides a road map for the course. You will find the assignments on Canvas in Modules. The “Assignments and Study Guides” will list the readings for the day, study questions to help guide you through the readings, and sometimes links to websites, images, etc. You are not required to write out answers to the questions asked on the Assignment and Study Guide for each lecture unless you are specifically asked to do so. We will not take up all of the questions together in lecture, but you should be able to respond to them all. If you can’t or have questions about the questions, bring them up in class.
4. Discussion Sections
Section time: TH 12-1 F 11-12 F 12-1 Section room: RLP 0.120 PAR 10 MEZ 2.118
AHC 32805 32810 32815 CTI 28995 29000 29005 HIS 38325 38330 38335
The weekly sections are required; informed participation in them will constitute a significant portion of this component of your grade. The main purpose of the discussion sections is to learn how to analyze ancient sources and discuss interpretations of them both orally and in writing. You will find the assignments for the discussion sections, study questions, and sometimes links to websites, images, etc. in Modules on Canvas. You should come prepared to discuss the questions in the discussion sections. You will need to bring the relevant materials (readings and images etc.) with you to section.
5. Weekly Canvas Quizzes
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Beginning Friday September 13 and continuing every Friday thereafter we will post a quiz on Canvas covering that week’s material (readings, lectures, discussion sections). The quiz will be available from Friday to 5 PM the following Monday.
6. Writing Assignments
1. Writing Assignment One (Weeks 4-7). Analyzing Ancient Sources
We’ll begin this assignment on Monday 9/9 by discussing how to analyze ancient sources and by each of you picking a topic for your paper. Over the course of the following four weeks you will:
• write a draft of your paper and post your draft to Canvas • lead a discussion of your topic in section • receive written feedback from your classmates and your instructor • revise your drafts and submit your papers
Due dates for this writing project will depend on the topic you choose/are assigned. More on this on Monday 9/9.
2. Writing Assignment Two (Weeks 7-10). Critiquing Modern Scholarship
At the start of Week 7 we will post to Canvas three or so scholarly articles/chapters that pertain to the content of lectures and discussion sections of Weeks 8-10. On Monday 10/7 we will discuss what a critical analysis of modern scholarship on ancient history entails. Over the course of the following three weeks you will:
• choose one of the articles for your critique, due Monday 10/14 • write a draft of your paper, due Wednesday 10/23 • receive written feedback from your instructors on Monday 10/28 • revise your drafts and hand them in on Monday 11/4
3. Writing Assignment Three (Weeks 11-14). Analysis of ancient Greece vase in the Blanton collection.
The third paper will analyze one of the Greek vases in the collection of the Blanton Museum. This project will begin with a lecture Wednesday 10/30 on ancient Greek religion. We will follow this up with a “fieldtrip” to the Blanton Museum for the discussion sections 10/31-11/1. There are currently some dozen vases on display that may be analyzed in terms of their contributions to our understanding of ancient Greek religion. Each of you will select one Greek vase from the dozen or so available vases. You will research the history of the vase using the on- line archives of the Blanton Museum collection and write a paper on the vase that includes:
• a description of how the vase entered the Blanton collection • a description of the vase itself (shape, function, decoration)
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• an analysis of what the vase contributes to our understanding/knowledge of ancient Greek religion
Papers will be due Monday 11/24.
7. Grading
We will use the University’s system of equivalences between numeric scores and letter grades:
A 93-100; A- 90-92; B+ 87-89; B 83-86; B- 80-82; C+ 77-79; C 73-76; C- 70-72; D+ 67- 69; D 63-66; D- 60-62; F 59 and below.
There will be no curve. If 50% of you score over 93, 50% of you will get an A. If nobody does, nobody will. Consistent improvement during the semester will improve your final course grade.
15% Discussion Section 10% Canvas Quizzes 20% Writing Assignment 1 20% Writing Assignment 2 20% Writing Assignment 3 15% Final Exam
When merely quantitative methods cannot be applied, I will assign grades according to the following qualitative standards: an A-range grade (A+, A, A-) indicates mastery of the material and skills involved in the assignment; a B-range grade (B+, B, B-) indicates advanced competency; a C-range grade (C+, C, C-) indicates basic competency; a D- range grade (D+, D, D-) indicates effort but insufficient competency; an F means that either you did not complete the assignment on time or something went drastically wrong in your execution of the assignment.
8. Attendance
Attendance is required for both lectures and discussion sections. Each student is allowed 3 unexcused absences from lectures and 1 unexcused absence from discussion section without penalty. Any other absence must be appropriately documented (e.g., with a doctor’s note or a note from Student Emergency Services – Office of the Dean of Students). Notify me or your TA of your situation as soon as possible and document it immediately upon your return to class. Failure to comply with these rules will result in the loss of 1% of your final grade for each unexcused absence.
9. Class Etiquette
Cell phones should be turned off or set to silent ring during class time. The use of laptops and tablets is allowed only for taking notes and checking assigned readings.
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Scholastic dishonesty on any graded assignment will result in zero credit on the assignment. A second infraction will result in an F for the course. All cases of scholastic dishonesty will be reported to the student’s college adviser.
Scholastic dishonesty includes any kind of cheating or collaboration on tests, or submitting work that is not either your own or accurately attributed to its source. For more information, contact Student Judicial Services at 471-2841, or go to http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.php
10. Disabilities
UT Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact SSD at 471-6259, or go to http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/
Note: students are expected to present a UT "accommodation letter" authorizing specific accommodations.
11. Religious Holidays
If you need to miss a class or other required class activity for the observance of a religious holiday, you must notify me at least 14 days in advance so we can make alternative arrangements for your absence.
Note: the University's Religious Days Policy is online: http://www.utexas.edu/provost/policies/religious_holidays/
12. UT Honor Code
"The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community."
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13. Schedule of Topics
We will follow the attached syllabus as closely as possible. Throughout the semester I will supply you with study questions (available on Canvas) to help you focus your reading. Please check Canvas for assignments and study questions and complete the assigned reading before the lecture discussion of it.
Your Assignments and Study Guides are posted on Canvas.
PART I: The ‘Prehistory’ of Greek History (ca. 1100-750 BCE)
Week 1 (Aug. 28-30)
Wednesday 8/28 Introduction Sections 8/29-30 No sections this week.
Week 2 (Sept. 2-6)
Monday 9/2 No Class (Labor Day) Wednesday 9/4 Setting the Stage: the Bronze Age (Mycenaean) background Section 9/5-6 Linear B: Writing in the Bronze Age
Week 3 (Sept. 9-13)
Monday 9/9 Analyzing Ancient Sources Wednesday 9/11 Getting Started: The Greek Dark Ages (ca. 1100-750 BCE) Section 9/12-13 Mortuary Evidence: Lefkandi, Euboia
PART II: The Archaic Period (ca. 750-480 BCE)
Week 4 (Sept. 17-21)
Monday 9/17 The 8th Century I: Emergence of the Polis Wednesday 9/19 The 8th Century II: Leaving Home (colonization and trade) Section 9/20-21 Epic Poetry (Homer) and History
Week 5 (Sept. 23-27)
Monday 9/23 The Early Archaic Period Part I: Early Written Law and Lawgivers Wednesday 9/25 The Early Archaic Period II: Tyrants Section 9/26-27 Archaic Warfare: the “Hoplite Revolution”
PART III. Sparta, Athens, and Persia to 479 BCE
Week 6 (Sept. 30-Oct. 4)
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Monday 9/30 Sparta I: From the Bronze Age to the Sixth Century BCE Wednesday 10/2 Sparta III: Government Section 10/3-4 The “Laws of Lycurgus”
Week 7 (Oct. 7-1)
Monday (10/7) Critiquing Modern Scholarship Wednesday 10/9 Sparta II: Society Section 10/10-11 Spartan Women
Week 8 (Oct. 14-18)
Monday 10/14 Athens I: From the Bronze Age to Solon Wednesday 10/16 Athens II: From Peisistratus to Cleisthenes Section 10/17-18 Solon’s Poetry and Archaic Society
Week 9 (Oct. 21-26
Monday 10/21 Persia and the Ionian Revolt Wednesday 10/23 From Marathon to the End of the Persian Wars Section 10/24-25 Coins and History
Week 10 (Oct. 28-Nov. 1)
Monday 10/28 Greeks on Persians: the Creation of Greek Identity Wednesday 10/30 Greek Religion Section 10/31-11/1 “Fieldtrip” to the Blanton Museum
PART IV: The Classical Period, ca. 479-338 BCE
Week 11 (Nov. 4-8)
Monday 11/4 Between the Wars: From Delian League to Athenian Empire Wednesday 11/6 The Radical Athenian Democracy and its Critics Section 11/7-8 Athenian Empire and Inscriptions
Week 12 (Nov. 11-15)
Monday 11/11 The Physical Space of the Polis: Athens on the Eve of War Wednesday 11/13 Peloponnesian War I: The Archidamian War Section 11/14-15 Thucydides on the Causes of War
Week 13 (Nov. 18-22)
Monday 11/18 Peloponnesian War II: Uneasy Peace and the Sicilian Expedition Wednesday 11/20 Peloponnesian War III: The Decelean War Section 11/21-22 Socrates on Trial: Philosophy and History
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Week 14 (Nov. 24-29)
Monday 11/24 Spartan Hegemony Wednesday 11/26 No class No Sections Thanksgiving
Week 15 (Dec. 2-6)
Monday 12/2 The Second Athenian League and the Theban Hegemony Wednesday 12/4 The Rise of Macedonia Sections 12/5-6 The Royal Macedonian Tombs at Vergina
Week 16 (Dec. 9)
Monday 12/9 Philip II and the Greeks Thursday 12/12 Final Examination
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