Syllabus for Greek 303, Greek Historiography

Greek 303, Greek Historiography
Spring 2010
Dept. of Classical Studies
University of Richmond
Walt Stevenson
NC 214
OH: MW 2:30-3:30

Syllabus

Course Description : Historiography presents us with one of the most sudden and remarkable developments in the history of literature. After less than a century of prose composition (mostly early efforts at "science" and ethnology) Herodotus and Thucydides came along setting a high standard for the next several thousand years of historians to emulate. In this course we will concentrate on Herodotus whose expansive and pleasing style should provide more comfortable reading in Greek than the compressed and magisterial Thucydides. We will discuss the Ionic dialict, the extent of Herodotus' orality (both in composition and delivery), and the unusual and cohesive nature of Greek narrative.

Requirements : Above all we will all need to read carefully each day's assignment. The main stress of this course is on discussing the Greek day to day. Students will compose their own mini-history (we will each add a sentence per class in turns), complete occasional sight readings, write two short essays on a lexicographical and critical topic, and complete a midterm and final.

Grading :
Class Participation: 20%
Sight Readings: 10%
Composition: 10%
Essays: 20%
Midterm: 20%
Final: 20%

Text : Herodotus Book I and Book III, Bryn Mawr Greek Commentaries

Online Text of Herodotus with Grammar and Vocabulary

Policies [N.B. The instructor does not allow make up tests under any circumstances, nor does he accept late work.]

Attendance: Since class participation is a significant graded percentage of this course, each class a student misses will detract from this grade. Several absences will not do permanent damage, but more than 5 (out of 28 meetings -- i.e. almost 20%) will be serious.

Honor Policy: Like any academic work at UR all work done for this course falls under the honor code. If you have any doubt what constitutes "unauthorized assistance," please come and talk to the instructor before trying it.