HU2611— Ancient and Modern Greek Culture
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This class will introduce students to the origins and development of Greek culture from its ancient roots to the flowering of Classical Greece and to the worldviews of some of Greece’s modern and contemporary literary figures. Students will investigate ancient history through readings and visits to archeological sites and museums. Students will encounter mythology through readings and performances of ancient tragedy. The Greek struggle for independence and developments in the twentieth century will be examined through artistic and literary perspectives and on-site visits. Students will keep journals and undertake collaborative and individual research projects. The course will include a study of ancient history, the tragedian Aeschylus, works of twentieth century poets and historians, and the contemporary writer Nicholas Papandreou.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- To provide students with a general view of some of the historical, aesthetic and literary movements and traditions of Greek culture that have influenced the formation of western culture.
- To introduce students to the historical, political, and literary movements which have created the contemporary Greek cultural landscape.
- To utilize and employ the unique resources of learning within the context of Greece and its rich cultural heritage—the unique advantage that the Study Abroad experience affords.
- To assist students in the use of original texts in translation, critical thinking, writing and study skills particularly as they are applied to history and literature.
- To develop students’ ability to compare components of culture through their first-hand experience of studying within the context of another culture.
TEXTS
Thomas R. Martin, Ancient Greece
Aeschylus (Robert Fagles, trans.), The Oresteia
Nicholas Papandreou, A Crowded Heart
A selection of essays and poetry, The Greek Culture and Theater Reader
GRADING CRITERIA
1. Weekly Journals 30%
2. Short Quizzes 20%
3. Final Project 20%
4. Final Presentation 10%
5. Attendance and Participation 20%
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- Reading Assignments: Active and critical reading of all materials is expected. In order to facilitate discussion, students should complete readings before class, make summary entries in their notebooks, and prepare questions for class discussions.
- Weekly Journals: Students will be asked to write responses to readings and site visits. Students will be expected to make connections between the first-hand experience of Greek culture and the assigned readings.
- Class Attendance and Participation: Classes begin each day at exactly 8:30 a.m. Tardiness and absences will not be accepted. Failure to attend class or tardiness that impairs the effectiveness of instruction and learning may result in termination of participation in the program and loss of any credit for the course.
- Short Quizzes: A series of short quizzes will be given over the assigned readings in order to assure that reading assignments have been completed and comprehended.
- Final Project: After the first week students will undertake a personal project that will involve research on a theme to be determined by themselves and the instructor and will result in an essay or other creative form.
- Final Presentation: Students will present their final projects to the class orally on Thursday and Friday, June 7 and 8.
3 credits
Meets Diversity Studies OR Interdisciplinary Studies requirement.
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