This course is an introduction to the literature, history, culture, art, and architecture of the ancient Greeks, from the Bronze Age to the Classical period (c. 1600–400 BCE). Through active reading of ancient sources and material culture, we will perform targeted investigations that explore important aspects of ancient Greek civilization, anchored by a rough chronological timeline. We will situate these ancient and material sources in their social and political context to better understand Greek ideas about their world. The aim of the course is not to be exhaustive, but rather to introduce students to the study of antiquity. We will regularly delve into scholarly debate, consider what kinds of evidence underlie our knowledge, and examine the limits of interpretation, all while developing our familiarity with the ancient Greeks. We will also consider how these ancient topics touch on a number of issues central to our own lives, including community building, identity formation, storytelling and social status. As we consider these topics, we will reflect on the legacy of the ancient Greeks in modern times.
- Teacher: Crystal Rosenthal