Ancient
Instructor: Dr. Patterson patterson@lambuth.edu
Office: Varnell-Jones 201 Phone: 425-3310/2546 (on campus)
Office Hours: MWF 11AM-11:45AM/ 2:45PM-3:30PM T/Th 10:45AM-11:45AM/ 1-2PM
TEXTS:
Damrosch, Buried Book
Shaw,
Ancient
Kebric, Greek People
Perrottet, Naked Olympics
Green, Greco-Persian Wars
Aristophanes, Lysistrata
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Exams—You will have two exams: a mid-term and a final. Exams may consist of a map component, short answer, and essay. I will give you a review prior to the exams.
Précis—You will turn in two (2) précis. Each week, at least one student will write an overview of the week’s reading. The précis will be a 3-4 page paper outlining the themes for the week, and these papers should serve as a starting point for class discussion by cogently summarizing what we have read, pointing out interesting themes in the week’s reading, or linking the reading to something previously read for the class. The précis should be grammatically correct and well-written. Remember to bring enough copies so that each student has a copy. Late papers will be penalized. .
Class discussion—this is a reading intensive course, and you are expected to come to class having read the material. For every class, you will receive class discussion points based upon your participation in class: 5 pts.: for a thorough knowledge of the assigned material 3 pts.: for adequate preparation 1 pt.: for sitting in a desk. For each class, you should have some questions prepared on the assigned text. If you are uncomfortable speaking in class, please let me know and we can make other accommodations for you. If it is apparent that the class is not doing the reading, the class discussion points become 10 pt. quizzes instead. I will drop your three (3) lowest class participation scores, which includes any absences you may have, unless they are official school absences. Please remember that one day you may need a recommendation letter from me for a job or to get into graduate school. I know who reads and who doesn’t, and any letters I write for you will reflect an honest assessment of your work in the classroom. Special, super-terrific happy hint: never brag about NOT doing the reading, especially within earshot of me.
Presentation Topic—You will prepare one in-class presentation on a historical person or topic. You should aim to give a lively and informed talk on your subject, and you may use PowerPoint if you wish. Please note that you should not read anything to the class, and most importantly, this is not the kind of assignment that can be done the night before it is due. In some cases, it may be necessary for you to order books through interlibrary loan, which can take as long as two weeks. Lastly, it is imperative that you be present for the date of your presentation. Failure to give your presentation on the specified date will result in a five (5) point penalty.
For these topics, you should read one book on the topic, or if you prefer, you may read a series of articles (at least four) on the topic. You should also turn in copies of the articles and this will be part of your presentation grade. Whether you choose the book or a series of articles, you will also need to keep a journal of typewritten notes on your book or articles. Your journal should be at least five (5) typed, single-spaced pages of notes that include an overview of your reading as well as interesting points made by the author(s).
Attendance—Your presence in the classroom is crucial. Accordingly, you may have three (3) unexcused absences. A three-percent penalty will be applied to your final average for each unexcused absence after three (3) absences. Also, do not be absent on days when you are scheduled to present material or you will likewise be assessed a penalty for that assignment. Late papers will be assessed a letter penalty grade for every day they are late. Papers are also due at the beginning of class, and papers not turned in at the beginning of class are considered to be one day late.
Plagiarism/cheating—will result in the failure for the assignment (with a zero grade) and your points will be distributed to the rest of the class. Those who plagiarize may also be subject to failure in the course, and those who are in the Teacher Education Program (TEP) will be removed from the TEP.
Arriving late, leaving early, excessive bathroom breaks, beepers, cell phones, whining, naps, talking while I am lecturing, and bringing in outside reading material. Also note that I do not discuss grades or classroom assignments via email. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain missed assignments.
GRADING:
A (92-100%) B (84-91%) C (76-83%) D (68-75%) F (67-0%)
Breakdown of grades:
Exams: 100 pts. each (200 total)
Precis 50 pts. each (100 total)
Presentation topic 100 pts. total
Class Discussion 5 pts. per class (possible)
Course Outline:
W Aug 22—Syllabus
M Aug 27—Buried Book
W Aug 29—Buried Book
M Sep 3—Buried Book
W Sep 5—Shaw, Ancient
M Sep 10—Video
W Sep 12—Video
M Sep 17— Shaw, Ancient
W Sep 19— Shaw, Ancient
M Sep 24—Kebrick
The Greek gods
Hesiod Theogony (number each paragraph once you print out the text)
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/hesiod-theogony-ex.html
Dionysius, from Euripides’ Bacchae
http://alexm.here.ru/mirrors/www.enteract.com/jwalz/Eliade/147.html
W Sep 26—Kebrick
The Iliad (read about 12 paragraphs into Book II, until Thersites is beaten—don’t print the whole thing)
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/homer-illiad.txt
Archilochus
http://people.whitman.edu/~hashimiy/archiloc.htm
M Oct 1— Naked Olympics
W Oct 3— Naked Olympics
M Oct 8—Naked Olympics
W Oct 10—EXAM I
M Oct 15—Fall Break
W Oct 17—Field
Trip
M Oct 22— Greco-Persian Wars
W Oct 24— Greco-Persian Wars
M Oct 29—Greco-Persian Wars
W Oct 31—Greco-Persian Wars
M Nov 5—Kebrick
W Nov 7—Lysistrata (in-class)
M Nov 12—Lysistrata (in-class)
W Nov 14—Lysistrata (in-class), Alexander the Great (tba)
M Nov 19—Presentations
W Nov 28—Presentations
Final Exam:
Fri Dec 7 at 10:30 AM