INTRODUCTION TO CLASSICAL
STUDIES: GREECE (CLST 1003)
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
FALL SEMESTER, 2009
Professor Daniel B. Levine
ILLUSTRATION: Scene from Herodotus Histories,
book 1, Croesus the Lydian king on the pyre at the order of Cyrus the Great
of Persia. Croesus remembers the words of the wise Athenian Solon, just
as the flames approach him. What can save Croesus now? (Attic red-figure
amphora, attributed to Myson, perhaps 500-490 BCE. Paris, Louvre.)
Welcome to Classical Studies 1003!
In this class we will look at the ancient Greeks through
Words and Dirt. Namely, the physical remains of their culture
which we find buried in the soil, and the literary creations which have
become the foundation of western culture. This class will require the students
to read, to write, to think, and to participate.
The professor will endeavor to combine lecture, class discussion, and reading
assignments to give students an impression of what these ancient people
were like, how they lived, and what they have bequeathed to us.
Class Procedures
Our class meets three days a week, during which time we
will address ancient Greek civilization and literature. After distribution
of graded daily assignments, classes will begin with student presentations
on Classics in Our World (see below), and continue with the professor discussing
the day’s readings with the class. All students will come to class having
read the texts assigned for the day, and with the appropriate typed Study
Questions or Reading Reactions (see below). The professor will lecture,
and call on students to respond to the day’s readings. He will invite discussion
of the issues raised in the texts, show slides, and share his thoughts on
the day’s topic. At the end of each class, students will hand in their writing
assignments as they leave. Two class periods will consist of presentations
by members of the honors section on Art and Epic.
There is a good deal of reading required for this class,
and writing assignments are due in almost every class. In addition, there
will be ‘quizlets’ on readings, to be given unannounced several times during
the semester. Previous students in a mid-term survey gave advice to friends
who might consider taking this course. Their
anonymous comments are here.
Before the first class, please fill out the Student
Information Form and send it by email to Ms. Merced. Thanks!
Contacting the Instructor and Teaching
Assistant
The instructor of this course is Professor Daniel Levine.
Ms. Jasmine Merced is the Graduate Teaching Assistant in charge of class
business. If students need to report an absence, they should contact Ms.
Merced (dmerced@uark.edu). Students
should feel free to contact the instructor or the teaching assistant any
time they have questions. Dr. Levine’s office hours are TBA, and by appointment,
in Kimpel Hall 502. His office telephone is 575-5937. His FAX is: 575-6795;
email: dlevine@uark.edu. You may send
him Campus Mail to “D. Levine, World Languages (formerly ‘Foreign Languages’),
KIMPEL HALL 425.” You may also leave messages in his mailbox in Kimpel
Hall 425. (Department of World Languages).
Before the first class, please fill out the Student
Information Form and send it by email to Ms. Merced. Thanks!
Daily Assignments (a.k.a. Study Questions
and Reading Reactions)
Students will hand in short typed papers
for most classes.
1. STUDY QUESTIONS.
Students will write answers to ‘Study Questions’ when there are assignments
in THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF GREECE (by William R. Biers). These
Study questions are found at this link: “Study
Questions”. These study questions will be posted on the course
web site. Students will hand in typed answers to several of these
Study Questions for each class they are due.
The last digit of the University of Arkansas ID number
will determine which questions students will hand in. For example, students
with “4” as the last ID# digit will hand in written answers to
questions 4, 14, 24, etc. Students should type these answers and bring
them to class on the day they are due. Students may modify their answers
in class if they need to, without penalty. Answers will be graded on accuracy,
completeness, spelling, grammar, and clarity/insight. The professor will
not accept late answers. The professor will drop the three lowest
study-question/reading reaction scores for each student.
2. READING REACTIONS.
Most of our readings will be in Greek literature: epic, history, tragedy,
and comedy. These readings are included on the Class
Schedule page. Students will read all of each assignment before
coming to class, and will bring to class a short paper (two or three paragraphs)
in reaction to the day’s reading assignment. For a full explanation of these
Reading Reactions, including “do’s” and “dont’s”, look
at the Reading Reaction page.
The professor will not accept late reading reactions. The professor
will drop the three lowest study-question/reading reaction scores for each
student.
Student Presentations “Classics
in Our World”
Our language and culture is permeated by the classical
past. During the course of this semester, students will present some examples
of the relevance of Classics to modern life and language. Each student will
make brief (2 minute) presentations in class, telling about some word, expression,
art form, or literary conceit that we owe to the Greeks. The Professor will
assign these words in the first week of classes. Further explanation and
list of words are here.
Reading Quizlets
At random times during the semester, there will be brief
(5-7 minute) unannounced quizlets on the reading. These will consist of
short quotations from the day’s assigned text; students will comment on
the context and significance, identify speakers, and describe what will
happen next in the narrative. Here is an example: Quizlet
Sample.
Real Greek for Real Students.
Language and culture are so closely interconnected! To
understand Greeks best, we should know their language. Since our time is
limited this semester, we will at least learn the Greek alphabet
as a step towards our goal of assimilating as much ancient Greek civilization
as we can this term. You will find the Greek alphabet (capitals and lower
case) as you will write it
at this site,
and some practice exercises here
(at the bottom of the page on the linked site). Please write out the
whole Greek alphabet as I have written it — at least ten examples of each
letter, upper and lower case. It’s fun!
Students will use their knowledge of the Greek alphabet
at several points in the semester, including your presentations on Classics
in Our World.
Honors Section
Students enrolled in CLST 1003H will complete all the assignments
for CLST 1003. In addition, as part of their preparation for their final
paper, they will give two in-class presentations. Details are here.
Grades
Grades in this class will be determined as follows:
(A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%)
The course grade will be determined based on the following:
25% Daily Written Assignments (Study Questions/Reading
Reactions); the professor will drop three lowest scores.
15% Class Presentations and Participation (includes
“Classics in Our World”, attendance, active participation, and
good citizenship).
20% Iliad Essay. NO LATE PAPERS ACCEPTED.
Due Wednesday, September 30, 2009.
10% In-Class Quizlets on Readings.
15% Examination #1 (25 September, 2009).
15% Examination #2 (07 December, 2009).
Working Together and Academic Honesty
I want you to work together. However, the products of student
work must be personal. That is, if you study together, do not copy what
your study partner has written. The main point is that you do your own work,
and do not steal someone else’s. Identical work will arouse the suspicion
of academic dishonesty. If you have questions about the University’s policy
on Academic Honesty, look in the University of Arkansas Catalog.
Required Texts
Please use the following editions, as the daily
study questions will be based on these editions. Also, bring the relevant
book to class with you when we will be discussing its material. Thanks!
- THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF GREECE
(Cornell) second edition. William Biers. - ILIAD HOMER (Hackett) Stanley
Lombardo, translator. - THUCYDIDES PELOPONNESIAN WAR (Hackett)
Steven Lattimore, translator. - HERODOTUS THE HISTORIES (Oxford)
Robin Waterfield, translator. - AESCHYLUS ORESTEIA (Hackett)
Peter Meineck, Translator. - ARISTOPHANES BIRDS, LYSISTRATA, WOMEN AT THE THESMOPHORIA
(Loeb Classical Library, Harvard U Press) Jeffrey
Henderson, translator.
Inclement Weather Policy
When the University is open, I will meet classes. If serious
weather prevents a student from making it to class, I will permit that student
to make up the day’s work without penalty.
I look forward to exploring the world of ancient Greece
with you!
Recent Comments