Classical Studies in Greece
(Classics 251)
January, 2011

This course introduces students to the history and art of ancient Greece. It covers more than two thousand years of Greek civilization, from the Bronze Age through the archaic, classical, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. The itinerary takes students to every major region of Greece, with extended stays in Athens, Crete, Central Greece, and the Peloponnese. When not visiting museums and archaeological sites, students have the opportunity to experience modernGreek culture as well.

When they have completed the course, students should be familiar with the important people, places, and events of each major period of ancient Greek history, as well as the evolution of ancient Greek art and architecture. They should have a clear picture of the interplay between Mediterranean geography and the history of Greece and should be acquainted with the methods used by archaeologists and historians to study the Greek past. Finally, they should have renewed appreciation for the contributions of the ancient Greeks to Western civilization.

GE Credit:                                            
Historical Studies in Western Culture (HWC) and Artistic Studies (ALS‑A)

Major Credit:                                      
History, Ancient Studies, Classics, Greek, Latin

Prerequisite:None, but at least one course in the art, language, literature, history, philosophy, or religion of ancient Greece is strongly recommended; students who have taken one or more such courses will be given priority in the selection process.

Cost (subject to change): $5350 (includes all transportation, hotels, entrance fees, breakfast and dinner daily)

Maximum Enrollment: 30

Instructor: Professor Timothy Howe, Department of History         

Academic Requirements:

1. Each student is required to attend all of the planned events, including lectures, student
presentations, and visits to sites and museums.

2. Each student is required to participate in all class discussions and complete all homework
assignments.

3. Each student is required to purchase the course packet and the three textbooks, bring them along to
Greece, and read them according to the schedule set out in the syllabus.

4. Each student is required to take the two written exams that will be given during the month,
covering the lectures, presentations, discussions,  and assigned readings.

5. Each student is expected to bring along a journal or notebook in which to record comments on the
sites and museums visited each day, notes on the lectures and on the assigned readings, and
personal impressions

Grading:               
25%  Midterm Exam consisting of short essay/identification of important terms
35%  Final Exam consisting of short essay/identification of important terms
20%  Site Presentation.  Each student will research and deliver a 15-20 minute site presentation, from the list provided by instructor.
20%  Class Participation, short written assignments, informed discussion and questions, civilized behavior, enthusiasm

Required Textbooks:

Biers, William R., The Archaeology of Greece:  An Introduction (Cornell University Press, 2nd edition, 1996)

Nelson, Eric and Susan K. Allard-Nelson, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Ancient Greece (Alpha Books/Penguin Books, 2004).

Treadgold, Warren, A Concise History of Byzantium (Palgrave, 2001).

Classics 251 course packet:  contains maps, reference pages, selected passages from ancient
Greek and Roman literature, and other material useful for the course

PROPOSED ITINERARY
 (subject to change):

Depart on Monday, January 3rd

Day 1: Fly from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Athens
Day 2: Arrive Athens
Day 3: Athens:  Hill of the Muses, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Temple of Olympian Zeus, National Gardens, Lykabettos, Olympic Stadium
Day 4: Athens:  Pnyx, Akropolis, Stoa of Eumenes, Askelpion, Theatre of Dionysos, Akropolis Museum
Day 5: Athens:  Kerameikos, Athenian Agoa, Temple of Athena and Hephaistos, Stoa of Attalos, Roman Agora
Day 6: Aigina:  Piraeus Museum, Ancient Aigina, Byzantine Village of Palaiochora, Temple of Aphaia
Day 7: Attika:  Marathon, Marathon Museum, Temple of Artemis at Brauron, Silver Mines and Theatre at Thorikos, Temple of Poseidon at Sounion
Day 8: Athens:  National Archaeological Museum.  Boat to Crete
Day 9: Heraklion:  Heraklion Museum, Knossos, Minoan Farm site of Vathypetro, Traditional Modern Village of Archanes
Day 10: Heraklion:  Gortys, Phaistos, Adhia Triada, Beach at Matala
Day 11: Heraklion:  Minoan Villa at Tylissos, Rethymnon Castle, Kanakis Olive Oil Centre, Chania, Boat to Athens
Day 12: Athens:  Midterm Exam
Day 13: Nauplion:  Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone at Eleusis, Corinth Canal, Ancient Corinth,
Classical/Byzantine/Crusader Castle (Akrocorinth)
Day 14: Nauplion:  Lerna (House of the Tiles), Ancient Argos, Byzantine/Crusader Larissa Castle (Akroargos), Temple of Zeus and Stadium at Nemea
Day 15: Nauplion:  Tiryns, Mycenae, Ventian/Crusader Palamidi Castle and Akronauplion
Day 16: Nauplion:  Nauplion Museum, Mycenaean Road and Bridge, Asklepion and Theatre at Epidauros
Day 17: Monemvasia:  Temple of Athena Alea at Tegea, Gythion (port of Sparta), Byzantine Fortress of Monemvasia (So-called Gibraltar of Greece)
Day 18: Monemvasia:  Byzantine Churches and Upper Castle of Monemvasia, Fortification Walls of Epidauros Limera
Day 19: Sparta:  Sparta Museum, Crusader/Byzantine Citadel and Regional Capital Mistras, Museum of the Olive, Akropolis of Sparta, Temple of Artemis Orthia, Eurotas River
Day 20: Pylos:  Ancient Messene, Venetian Castle of Methoni
Day 21: Pylos:  Nestor's Palace, Chora Mycenaean Museum
Day 22: Olympia:  Museum and Site of Olympia, Museum of Ancient and Modern Olympic Games
Day 23: Olympia:  Messolongi.
Day 24: Preveza:  Roman sites of Actium and Nikopolis, Justinianic (Byzantine) churches, fortification walls and early Byzantine Museum
Day 25: Delphi:  museum, site, Byzantine Monastery of Ossios Loukas
Day 26: Thermopylae:  Battle site and Memorial Hill, Thermopylae Hot Springs
Day 27: Athens:  Final Exam
Day 28: Fly from Athens to Minneapolis/St. Paul

Application Interviews:                     

Since I am on leave this year and do not have office hours I will conduct interviews and sign applications at the following dates and times ONLY.  Appointments are preferred, though I will have a sign-up sheet on the door to our reserved BC room.  Plan to set aside 15 minutes for a short question and answer interview.  Feel free to contact me by email at any time to schedule an interview or just chat about the program:  howe@stolaf.edu

Wed.,  April 21:    4-8pm, Heritage Room
Thurs, April 22:    9-11:30 am, BC 143
Thurs, April 22:  11:30-1:00pm, Cage (I'll try to get one of the more secluded tables)

Tues., April 27:     1-4:30 pm, Heritage Room
Wed., April 28:     4-7:30 pm, Heritage Room