Classics 201
Introduction to Greek Culture
University of Virginia
Fall 2003





Instructor

Mr. Gregory Hays
New Cabell 450
(92)4-6536
Office Hours: M 11:30-12:30; TH 11-12
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Assistant Instructor

Mr. Brian Marinas
New Cabell 428
Office Hours: TBA
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Meeting Times
 
 
Lectures T/Th 9:30-10:20 Rouss 202
Discussion Sections F 10:00-10:50 Halsey 123
F 11:00-11:50 New Cabell 224
F 1:00-1:50 New Cabell 130
F 2:00-2:50 New Cabell 225

Required Texts
 


COURSE REQUIREMENTS

15%    5 pp. paper (due Oct. 2)
20%    7 pp. paper (due Nov. 24)
20%    Midterm exam (Oct. 9)
30%    Final Exam (Dec. 12)
15 %   Informal Writing & Map Quizzes (see below)

Paper Topics

Topics for the two papers will be posted on the web page well in advance of the due dates.

Exam Format

The midterm and final exams will consist of 1) multiple choice questions on history, culture, literature etc.; 2) brief identifications of important names, places and terms; 3) short answers on historical and cultural topics; 4) a section in which you will be asked to identify and comment on significant passages from the reading and/or visual images (taken either from Boardman or from the lectures).

The final examination will be cumulative, i.e. it will cover the entire course.

Informal Writing

At the beginning of each section (except the first and last) you will be expected to submit a one page journal entry (typed or handwritten) in response to the assigned reading for the section. You might, for example, pick out and comment on a particular passage or passages that strike you, or reflect on the reading in relation to other aspects of Greek culture or of our own culture. But these are only suggestions; what you write is completely up to you. These assignments will not be formally graded, but in conjunction with class participation and map quizzes they will account for 15% of your course grade.

Map Quizzes

There will be three map quizzes, administered in section on September 5, October 10 and Nov. 20.

Note that there are maps in Martin (list on p. vi) and one in Boardman (pp. 6-7). You may also find it helpful to consult an online map such as this one or this one.
 

GENERAL POLICIES

Attendance

Lectures: Regular class attendance is essential to success at the University and in this course. Although attendance in lecture will not be formally taken, you are expected to attend all lectures. Note that the lectures include material not covered in the reading. Regular attendance at lectures is the best preparation for the exams.

Sections: Because a successful discussion section depends on full attendance and preparation by all participants, a formal attendance policy will be in effect for discussion sections. Absence for good reason (e.g. illness, family emergency, religious holidays, approved travel for athletic competition) will count as excused and will not be penalized. To claim an excused absence, you must submit a written, pledged explanation for the absence (in as much detail as you feel is appropriate) to your section leader by the next class meeting (i.e. the following Tuesday). All other absences are unexcused. More than two unexcused absences from section may result in dismissal from the course. Note that attendance at section means not only that you are physically present, but that you have done the reading and submitted the weekly informal writing assignment.

The final exam for this course is on Friday December 12. If your travel plans do not permit you to take the exam on this date, you should not enroll in this course.

The drop and withdrawal deadlines are listed on the syllabus.

Late Papers

All extensions on papers are at the instructor's discretion. However, extensions of up to 48 hours will normally be granted on application, provided you apply before the paper is due. Papers more than 48 hours late or without a formal extension will not normally be accepted.

Workload and Expectations.

As the College's FAQ for New First Year Students sagely observes:

"University life is very different from high school and learning at a University level is much more independent. This general rule applies: for every hour you spend in class you should spend 2-3 hours outside of class studying and preparing."
Accordingly, we assume you will be spending at least six hours per week studying and preparing for this class. More specifically, we believe an average reading assignment of 50-60 pages per class is a reasonable one. (If you disagree, feel free to click here).

Academic Integrity

The normal guidelines of the Honor System apply.  All written work (including exams) is to be pledged and signed. Students are reminded that they are responsible not only for upholding the standards of the University themselves, but for ensuring that other students also uphold those standards. If you have reason to think that an honor violation has occurred, it is your duty to contact an Honor Advisor.
 

SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND READINGS
 
 
Th August 28 Introduction: Geography & Environment No assigned reading
F August 29 Section Martin 1-15
T Sept. 2 The Greek Gods Iliad 1-4 (EH 1-51)
Th Sept. 4 Prehistory and Bronze Age: Minoans & Myceneans Martin 16-35
Iliad 5-8 (EH 52-91)
F Sept. 5 Section Iliad 9 (EH 92-106)
Informal Writing #1
Map Quiz #1
T Sept. 9 The Dark Age & the Homeric Epics Martin 36-50
Iliad 11-16 (EH 107-175)
W Sept.10 Last Day to Drop -----------------------
Th Sept.11 Homer & History Iliad 18-21 (EH 175-204)
F Sept. 12 Section Iliad 22-24 (EH 205-240)
Informal Writing #2
T Sept. 16 The Homeric World Odyssey 5-6 (EH 269-293)
Th Sept. 18 Greece and the Near East Odyssey 8-12 (EH 294-365)
F Sept. 19 Section Odyssey 13-18 (EH 366-402)
Informal Writing #3
T Sept. 23 Archaic Age I: Politics & Society Martin 51-69; 79-88
Th Sept. 25 Archaic Age II: Art Boardman 48-133
F Sept. 26 Section Odyssey 19-24 (EH 403-482)
Informal Writing #4
T Sept. 30 Archaic Age III: Poetry & Philosophy Martin 89-93
Archilochus (7G)
Sappho (7G)
Anacreon (7G)
Heraclitus (7G)
Th Oct. 2 Sparta Martin 70-79
Paper #1 Due
F Oct. 3 Section Herodotus, "Lydia" (PGH 29-62)
Informal Writing #5
T Oct. 7 The Persian Wars and the 5th Century Martin 94-109; 113-116
Herodotus (PGH 81-120; 130-157)
Th Oct. 9 MIDTERM EXAM No assigned reading 
F Oct. 10 Section Herodotus (PGH 157-208)
Informal Writing #6
Map Quiz #2
T Oct. 14 (Reading Day: no lecture) No assignment
Th Oct. 16 Democracy and Law; 
Kaloi k'agathoi: the Upper Classes		 Martin 109-113
start Plato, Symposium (DP 233-259)
F Oct. 17 Section finish Plato, Symposium (DP 259-286)
Informal Writing #7
T Oct. 21 Classical Art Boardman 135-215
W Oct. 22 Last Day to Withdraw -----------------------
Th Oct. 23 The Sophists Martin 140-146
start Plato, Protagoras (DP 137-167)
F Oct. 24 Section finish Plato, Protagoras (DP 167-191)
Informal Writing #8
T Oct. 28 Other Athenians: Women, Slaves, Metics Martin 135-139
Th Oct. 30 Tragedy Martin 130-135
F Oct. 31 Section Euripides, Medea
Informal Writing #9
T Nov. 4 Comedy Aristophanes, Acharnians
Th Nov. 6 Religion in the Polis Martin 124-130
F Nov. 7 Section Aristophanes, Clouds
Informal Writing #10
T Nov. 11 The Peloponnesian War Martin 147-168
Thucydides, "Funeral Oration of Pericles" (PGH 265-273)
Thucydides, "The Plague in Athens" (PGH 273-278)
Th. Nov. 13 Socrates & Plato Martin 168-173; 177-182
Plato, Apology of Socrates
F Nov. 14 Section Thucydides, "The Mitylenean Debate" (PGH 278-290)
Thucydides, "The War in Sicily" (PGH 298-346)
Informal Writing #11
T Nov. 18 Aristotle & the Rise of Macedon Martin 182-191
Th Nov. 20 Alexander and the Hellenistic World Martin 192-209
F Nov. 21 Section Reading TBA
Informal Writing #12
Map Quiz #3
T Nov. 25  Hellenistic Literature, Philosophy & Religion Martin 209-221
Diogenes (in 7G)
Paper #2 Due
Th Nov. 27 Thanksgiving Break -----------------------
F Nov. 28 Thanksgiving Break -----------------------
T Dec. 2 Hellenistic Art Boardman 216-275
Th Dec. 4 Rome and Beyond no assigned reading
F Dec. 5 Section no assigned reading (review for final)
F Dec. 12 Final Exam, 2-5 PM in Rouss 202