A survey of the political, social and cultural history of ancient Greece from pre-historic times to the Hellenistic era.
Credits: 3
Hours: 45 (Lecture Hours: 3)
Total Weeks: 15
Prerequisites:
First year History
OR consent of instructor.
Non-Course Prerequisites:
None
Co-requisites:
None
Course Content:
- Greek Environment and Pre-history
Minoan and Mycenaean Civilization
The “Dark Age”
Homer
Religion and Myth I
Eighth Century Renaissance
Greek Alphabet and Writing
- Archaic Period, 700-479 BC
Rise of the Polis
Greek Colonization
Culture and Thought in Archaic Greece
A Tale of Two City-States: Sparta
A Tale of Two City States: Athens
The Persian Wars, 490-479 BC
- Classical Period, 479-323 BC
Athenian Imperialism and Democracy
Society in 5th Century: Women, Metics and Slaves
Culture and Thought in 5th Century
Greek Drama
Peloponnesian War and its Aftermath, 431-399 BC
Postwar Greece
Phillip II and the Rise of Macedon
Alexander the Great
- Hellenistic Era, 323-30 BC
Hellenistic Culture and Thought
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Knowledge:
- Describe the physical geography of ancient Greece
- Trace the early history of ancient Greece from the Ice Age to the Bronze Age
- Describe and account for the rise and fall of the Minoan civilization of ancient Crete, c2000-1450 BC
- Describe and account for the rise and fall of the Mycenaean civilization, c1600-1200 BC
- Describe and assess the character of the “Dark Age”, c1200-750 BC
- Describe and assess the epic poems of Homer
- Describe and assess the religious and mythological beliefs and practices of the ancient Greeks
- Describe and account for the “8th century renaissance”, including the revival of trade, developments in art and the invention of the Greek alphabet
- Identify the characters of the ancient Greek alphabet
- Describe and account for the rise of the polis
- Explain the causes and consequences of Greek colonization
- Describe and assess the culture and thought of the Archaic Period, including the “Ionian Enlightenment”
- Describe and assess the development of Sparta during the Archaic Period, c700-500 BC
- Describe and assess the development of Athens during the Archaic Period, c700-500 BC
- Explain the causes, course and consequences of the Persian Wars, 490-479 BC
- Describe and account for the growth of Athenian imperialism and democracy in the 5th Century BC
- Describe and assess the character of ancient Greek society during the 5th Century BC, especially with reference to the role and status of women, metics and slaves
- Describe and assess some of the main developments in philosophy, literature, art and architecture during the 5th century
- Describe and account for the origins and character of Greek drama, including tragedy and comedy
- Explain the causes, course and consequences of the Peloponnesian War, 431-399 BC
- Describe and account for significant political and cultural developments of postwar Greece, including the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle
- Describe and account for the rise of Macedon during the reign of Philip II
- Describe and assess the military victories of Alexander the Great
- Describe and assess the world of the Hellenistic Kingdoms
- Describe and assess some of the significant developments in philosophy, science, art, and literature of the Hellenistic period, 323-30BC
- Analyze and discuss classical texts relevant to the course
- Analyze primary and secondary readings and compare evaluations of those readings in respectful group discussions
- Research academic topics and evaluate differing historical arguments
- Prepare a thesis proposal paper
- Write an 8-page research essay and express conclusions in effective academic language
Attitudes:
- Appreciate and respect other students opinions
Skills:
- Identify arguments in historical texts
- Contrast and compare historical arguments in texts on similar topics but with different arguments
- Write essays using academic language and structure
- Present a group work before the class
- Prepare a Powerpoint presentation
Technologies:
- Access written texts through D2L
- Contribute to online discussions through D2L
- Submit written assignments through D2L
Grading System: Letters
Passing Grade: D (50%)
Percentage of Individual Work: 100
Textbooks:
Textbooks are subject to change. Please contact the bookstore at your local campus for current book lists.