UGS 303: Heroes of Ancient Greece Fall 2018 – Signature Course

Class meets M & W 12-1 in WAG 420 Discussion sections meet F 10-11 or 11-12 or 12-1 in CBA 4.342 Unique #62695 F 10-11 CBA 4.342 (College of Business Admin) Unique #62700 F 11-12 CBA 4.342 (College of Business Admin) Unique #62705 F 12-1 CBA 4.342 (College of Business Admin)

Instructor: Professor Steve White (contact email) office hours W 1-3 and by appointment in WAG 117 (Waggener Hall) Teaching Assistant: Josh Renfro (contact email) office hours MF 1-2 in WAG 121 (Waggener Hall)

1. Course Description: This course explores questions about heroes and heroism through close study of some masterworks from ancient Greece: Homer’s epic Iliad, plays by Sophocles and Aristophanes, conversations with Plato’s Socrates, and more. You will meet famous characters with exceptional powers facing life-transforming situations; and with guidance and help from your instructors and classmates, you will be asked to engage thoughtfully with these readings and the people, events, ideas, and stories they present. The more steadily and conscientiously you do so, the better you’re likely to do for yourself, both this semester and beyond, not to mention grades, classmates, and all the other people and things you care about … now or in years to come.

2. Course Goals: By the end of this course you will be familiar with some of the most influential models of heroism in world history, and you will be able to articulate key factors in analyzing and evaluating heroic conduct and people who perform it – or don’t. You’ll appreciate the importance of commitment in general, and of weighing different kinds of commitments; and how very similar commitments can have very different consequences in different situations, and how different ones can make all the difference in the same situation. You’ll also be better equipped to recognize and evaluate how our view of people and their actions is influenced by the ways we encounter them: how things are presented, reported, or depicted in various verbal or visual forms.

3. Signature Courses: Every student entering UT Austin is required to take one, either UGS 302 or UGS 303. They are all designed to cultivate verbal and reasoning skills you will need to do well in other courses, and in any path you might pursue beyond UT. This one in particular aims to help you develop your critical thinking, reading, writing, discussing, researching, and speaking by combining approaches that are both interdisciplinary and interactive. Assignments are designed to promote the core objectives of critical thinking, communication, personal responsibility, and teamwork. For more about Signature Courses: https://ugs.utexas.edu/sig/about

Heroes of Ancient Greece Fall 2018

4. Course Format: Our class has two main formats, with some variation in both. A. On Mondays and Wednesdays we all meet together, and classes will usually center on lectures, but with plenty of room for questions and discussion. Some sessions later in the semester are set aside for group presentations. Details are on the Schedule at the end. About questions and comments in class: I’m always open to both, and I welcome constructive ones. That covers a lot, but especially ones about missing information; missing or questionable connections or assumptions; interesting parallels or implications; anything you find unclear, confusing, hard to understand, or inaudible; and plenty more. Some things it does NOT include are disrespectful comments, or results of poor preparation, inattention, or daydreaming. Remember, your classmates will also appreciate helpful questions or comments. Sometimes I will ask questions too. These are “no stakes” opportunities for you to affect the course of discussion and to practice valuable skills. Only if responses show poor preparation repeatedly will we raise the stakes and turn some questions into pop quizzes – something we’d all prefer to avoid. B. On Fridays you meet in three separate sections, and classes will usually be devoted to discussion, often focusing on or initiated by your own contributions and questions. C. Attendance Policy: Attendance at all classes, both lectures and discussions, is expected, required, rewarded – and rewarding, since it offers you many opportunities to discover more about your readings, the people and world around you, both near and far, and even yourself: what you think or value, how to think and talk about such things, maybe how to deal with some too. Attendance is also rewarded in two concrete ways: it contributes to the participation portion of your course grade (see §6D below), and it conserves points for your total course grade. In other words, absences will be penalized as follows: you may miss 1 class (lecture or section) without explanation or penalty; but each additional absence will reduce your total course grade by 1 point, unless excused (see §7). Acceptable excuses are medical or other emergencies (documentation required), religious holidays (see §9 below), and major personal obligations (documentation and at least 7-day advance notice), all at Prof. White’s discretion: his decisions on whether or not to accept an excuse are final.

5. Required Texts: Assigned readings are mainly from the five books listed below, all available from the Coop and other vendors; additional readings will be posted as pdfs or links on Canvas. Please use these translations and editions; everything listed is available in many other versions, but using others will cause problems – for both you and others, both in class and in written work.

Sophocles: Oedipus the King & Other Tragedies, trans. Oliver Taplin (Oxford UP: 9780192806857) Sophocles: Antigone, trans. David Franklin (Cambridge UP: 9780521010733) Homer: Iliad, trans. Richmond Lattimore (U Chicago: 9780226470498) Aristophanes: Lysistrata, trans. Jeffrey Henderson (Hackett: 9780941051026) Plato: Five Dialogues, trans. John Cooper and George Grube (Hackett: 9780872206335)

6. Course Assignments: mainly reading, writing, research, discussion, and presenting, as follows. A. Reading assignments Primary readings are listed on the Schedule at the end, and everything on Canvas Pages. Some are short but none are easy; all will repay your careful reading with focused attention and minimal distraction. Lectures and discussions assume familiarity with assignments up to and including each day, so make sure to read each day’s before class. Also take time to review your readings and notes.

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B. Writing assignments B1. Short papers: 3 mini-papers (max 400 words on 1 page) due weeks 3, 6, and 11 Papers respond to prompts posted on Canvas (guidelines TBA) B2. Critical papers: 2 short papers (max 800 words on 2 or 3 pages) due weeks 10 and 14 a) Visual art paper = C2 (below) due week 10 b) Critical revision: revisit a previous mini-paper in light of peer papers; due week 14 B3. Midterm test: short answers & 1 essay (on selected passages); week 8 in class Note: this course has no final exam. * No make-up exam: except for exceptional and documented reasons, and at my discretion. * Late work: writing assignments lose 5% of their grade per calendar day, starting at the hour due. C. Research assignments C1. Library assignments: explore world cultural networks via versions of assigned works a) Bibliography of translations (guidelines TBA) due week 5 b) Passage comparison (guidelines TBA) due week 7 c) Reception exercise (guidelines TBA) due weeks 12 and 13 C2. Visual art assignment: select an object on campus to describe and explain how it represents or commemorates something heroic (max 800 words on 2 pages, guidelines TBA) due week 10 Either a) visit a campus museum (Blanton, Stark, HRC, LBJ, etc.) and pick an artwork; or b) pick a campus sculpture, monument, building, or other landmark. C3. Group projects: various exercises throughout, culminating in Hero nominations a) Library assignments C1a and C1c involve teamwork b) Greatest hero assignment: teams prepare nominations to present in class, week 15 Pick a single figure from assigned readings to present as the best or greatest hero; support your choice by explaining what is so special about that figure, and why that matters so much.

D. Participation D1. Weekly participation: mainly contributions to discussion section D2. Online modules: some independent, some in class (dates and details TBA) D3. Event assignment: attend a campus lecture or performance, and provide a report (date TBD) Options include the University Lectures (Sep. 24-25), a lecture or colloquium in a course-related field, a play or other dramatic performance (guidelines TBA).

7. Course Grades will be based on individual assignments as follows: Short papers (3 papers) = 15% Critical papers (2 papers) = 20% Midterm exam (includes essay) = 20% Library assignments (3 components) = 15% Group project (includes peer assessment) = 15% Participation (mainly for discussion section) = 15% Total possible = 100%, minus any points for unexcused absence (see §4C above)

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A grade of C is for satisfactory work: sufficient to pass a university course at an introductory level like this one. D is still passing but below par for this university: you’ll want to work on your study habits, time management, or other factors; see §9 for some helpful contacts, and make use of our office hours. Satisfactory work in this course requires understanding and addressing the substance of our readings and discussions, and demonstrating an ability to explain and support points clearly with reasonable arguments, examples, or evidence. B is for good work: beyond satisfactory, it shows clear understanding, notices complications, and presents good arguments etc. A is for excellent work: beyond good, it also shows independent thinking, draws instructive connections, considers alternative views or objections, and presents a balanced or compelling case. Scale: A = 93 or above, A– starting at 90, B+ starting at 87, B starting at 83, etc. But note: D = 65-69.99, Credit = 65 or above, and F or NC = anything below 65. There will be no rounding up or down: these numbers are baselines. There will be no curve: if most of the class scores 90 or higher, most will receive A- or A; if nobody does, nobody will. There will be no additional assignments offered for “extra credit”: doing more work at a low level does not merit a better grade. Instead concentrate your energy and effort on doing your assigned work well: reading, listening, discussing, writing, participating. Generally reliable ways to do that include • reading all assignments carefully and on time, • attending lectures and sections regularly and attentively, • taking careful notes on your readings, lectures, and discussions, • making a habit of annotating and reviewing both your reading and your notes, • speaking out when you don’t understand or disagree with something. If you’re reluctant to speak in class, you can see us after class or during office hours. * Absence: You are responsible for all material covered in class, even when you miss class. * Tardiness: Sometimes it’s unavoidable; but it will count as absence if repeated or disruptive.

8. Some important dates (course events in bold) Sep. 3 Monday Labor Day: no classes or office hours Sep. 4 Tuesday Last day to add or drop a class without special approval = 4th class day Sep. 14 Friday Last day to add or drop a class with any refund = 12th class day Sep. 19 Wed. Class meets in PCL = main library (details TBA) Sep. 24/5 M/Tu University Lectures Oct. 17 Wed. Midterm exam in class Oct. 29 Monday Registration for Spring courses begins Nov. 1 Thursday Last day to change to pass/fail grading, or drop a class without penalty Nov. 2 Friday Visual art paper due Nov. 19 Monday Group presentations on Hero reception, in class Nov. 21-3 W–F Thanksgiving break: no classes or office hours Nov. 30 Friday Final critical paper due Dec. 5&7 M & W Group presentations on Greatest heroes, in class Dec. 10 Monday Last day of classes

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9. Other policies UT Honor Code: The core values of UT 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.

Academic courtesy: Some of the material we’ll discuss in this class challenges commonly held beliefs and values; some may leave you cold. Whatever the case, everyone shall treat everyone else with respect and show consideration for views different from their own. That includes observing some basic ground rules in lectures and discussions alike: listening respectfully; not interrupting or talking over others; keeping your comments concise and to the point; not using electronic devices (laptops, tablets, readers) except for course purposes (no surfing, texting, gaming, etc.); and turning off all other media – music, audio alerts on phones, etc. In short, ABC: Always Be Courteous.

Canvas and Email: We’ll post course information and materials on Canvas throughout the semester. Make that your first stop for course information, both current and past. We may also circulate course information by email; it’s your responsibility to check your registered UT email account frequently, and to update your UT information if you change email address. If you need to contact us outside of class, email us directly – not via Canvas message (which we may not see) or Canvas email (which may end up in spam or junk folders). Please put “UGS 303” in the subject header, and your name and EID in your message or signature. Weekdays we’ll normally respond to relevant emails within 24 hours, except for last minute assignment messages, which might be ignored. In turn, we expect you to be familiar with the syllabus, to keep track of Canvas announcements and postings, and to respect our other commitments by limiting email to relevant course matters.

Grading questions: In this course we’ll follow the 24/7 rule: take 24 hours to review your work before questioning us about your grade; and you must raise any questions within 7 days of our returning your work. Note: if we reassess a grade, it may end up higher, the same, or lower.

Statement on Academic Integrity Academic dishonesty is a serious offense. It involves presenting someone else’s work as your own, or vice versa, enabling someone else to present yours as theirs. It includes cheating or copying on tests, submitting written work produced by someone else, and copying or paraphrasing material from print or other media, including the web or other media. It is your responsibility as university students to know what counts as academic dishonesty and to refrain from it. If you suspect or spot it, you should consult UT guidelines (http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/for_faculty.php) and seriously consider reporting any violations. Non-reporting promotes injustice and recidivism. If you’re unclear what is covered, it is your responsibility to find out by consulting us or the office of Academic Integrity: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/conduct/academicintegrity.php Also see the General Information catalogue, Appendix C, Section 11-402: http://catalog.utexas.edu/general-information/appendices/appendix-c/student-discipline-and- conduct/ Anyone found committing academic dishonesty on any graded work will at the minimum receive no credit (0 points) for that assignment (paper or exam); they may also be reported to the office of the Dean of Students, which risks an F for the course or expulsion from the University, depending on the kind and severity of academic dishonesty. You should know that many professional schools do not admit students who have such a violation on their record; likewise many employers.

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Religious holidays: If you have to miss a class or assignment for a religious holiday, provide us with a written request and documentation of the holiday at least 10 days in advance to be excused.

Disability accommodations: UT Austin provides appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities, but only at a student’s request. For info, contact SSD: http://ddce.utexas.edu/disability/

Some useful academic resources on campus Sanger Learning Center (JES A332): http://www.utexas.edu/ugs/slc Offers classes, workshops, private appointments, peer academic coaching, and tutoring. Undergraduate Writing Center (PCL 2.330): http://uwc.utexas.edu/ Offers workshops, private peer consultation, presentations, and handouts. UT Libraries = PCL, branch libraries, online material, and more: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/ ITS has a daytime helpline 475-9400, and help desk in FAC lobby: http://www.utexas.edu/its/

BCAL = Behavior Concerns Advice Line: 24/7 service for all UT students, faculty, and staff. If you are concerned about the way someone is acting, whether in class, on campus, or beyond, consider consulting BCAL by phone or online: 512-232-5050 or https://www.utexas.edu/safety/bcal/ But for emergencies, including situations involving immediate danger to you or others, call 911.

Last and not least, these two units can be helpful for many issues and problems of campus life: Dean of Students Office: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/ University Health Services: https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu

10. Schedule = 5 units covering tragedy, Homer, more drama, philosophy, and some problems. Most of our time in this course will be spent in the company of writers and audiences from 2400 years ago: around 400 BCE, give or take a few decades on either side. As we set out, imagine we’re going on a trip: in taking this course, you’ve signed on for a virtual journey – not just in space and time but even more in technology and culture; and our readings and classes will take you away to distant lands, where you’re searching for treasures to bring home to share with friends and family, especially memorable experiences and stories you’ll want to recall and retell years from now. So as you land at each new stop and try out new items on the menu with all their strange names and sites and sounds and customs and so on, imagine you’re touring a foreign country – one it probably cost you a pretty penny to visit… Here’s the itinerary, week by week and class by class.

Weeks & Days Topics with main readings and other assignments 1. W Aug 29 Introductions: course goals, format, other preliminaries Aug 31 Introductions, orientation Unit I. Tragic heroes: serving civil society 2. M Sep 3 NO CLASS: Labor Day W Sep 5 Age of Heroes: Hesiod (Canvas), Oedipus Sep 7 Oedipus discussions 3. M Sep 10 Saving the city: Oedipus, Thucydides (Canvas) W Sep 12 Finding yourself: Oedipus, Antigone Sep 14 * First papers due (B1); tragedy discussion

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