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STUDY ABROAD: CULTURES AND DOGMAS OF THE CLASSICAL WORLD

TURKEY, GREECE AND ITALY


HISTORY 4720 and PHILOSOPHY 2920, OR HONORS 2050
Summer Semester 2015
May 1-15, 2015

Dr Katie Nelson; katienelson2@weber.edu


Marc D Nelson; marcnelson@weber.edu

Course Objectives:
This course aims to develop a students understanding of and appreciation for the interaction of cultures
and dogmas in the Classical World, from Epicureanism to the rise of Christianity. The course will help
students develop not only a knowledge of the history and philosophy of Classical Greece and Rome,
but also a deeper understanding of the influence of classical culture on the modern day. Critical
thinking and analysis skills as well as writing skills will be honed as students engage with a wide
variety of primary documents.
Course Description: Cultures and Dogmas of the Classical World is an interdisciplinary course which
integrates the philosophy, art, archaeology and history of ancient Greece and Rome. The origins of
western philosophy are traced from Miletus to Rome, with a special emphasis on Epicureanism,
Stoicism, and Christianity. The parallel rise and fall of civilizations will be examined, from the earliest
Minoans to Alexander the Great to the fall of Rome. Critical engagement in key debates will form the
foundation of the course. The intricacies of cultural change and the complex relationship between early
Christianity and its competing dogmas will be explored. Students will also come away with an
understanding of how modern Western culture, and their own lives, are deeply tied to the classical
world.
Required Texts:
Steven Kershaw, A Brief Guide to Classical Civilization (Robinson, 2010)
The Classical World Primary Source Packet and Journal
This is a soft-bound custom collection of primary source readings relevant to all our
destinations. The book will list analysis questions and offer space for you to respond on every
document. It will also function as an academic and travel journal, with blank pages throughout
for you to record your travel experiences. See course schedule for specific readings.
Assignments:
No late assignments will be accepted; you are always welcome to turn assignments in early. Your
grade will be determined by the following:
Assignment

Points

Academic Journal
Full attendance and participation
One 9-10 page paper on the course topic
TOTAL

200
200
200
600

Academic Journal: Keep an academic journal in the Primary Source Packet (on blank pages
provided) in which you will record reading notes, ideas, analysis and travel experiences relating to your
study of the classical world in the following ways:

Before the trip, use this journal to record your own responses to the assigned reading. A number of
texts must be read in full before departure (see schedule). You will be given response/analysis
questions for each assigned text; these must be answered thoroughly in your academic journal.
During the trip, your journal will be the place where you record your own experiences as well as your
thoughts on ideas and debates presented during the course. Readings in the Primary Source Packet will
be assigned throughout the trip, and your responses to analysis questions should be recorded in your
journal on relevant days. Time and space for study and journaling will be allocated appropriately (see
course schedule below). The journal is due on or before July 8.
Ten-page paper on a debate in Classical studies: This course will highlight a number of
debates/critical issues in classical Greece and Rome, but special emphasis will be placed on
philosophical and cultural influences on early Christianity. As Christianity spread and formed, it both
drew from and pushed against Epicureanism, Stoicism, and Mystery Religions. Write a 10-page
analysis examining the question, How did early Christianity both incorporate and contrast itself
against preceding philosophies and cultures? A successful paper will integrate both primary source
readings and modern scholarship on the topic, engaging critically with each and concluding with your
own analysis of the issue. Use of WSUs Writing Center is highly recommended. Further instructions in
class. The paper is due on or before July 8.
Attendance and Participation: Students are expected to attend every two-hour pre-departure class
(listed below) as well as every group tour/lecture while abroad. Full participation is crucial to this
intensive experiential learning course. 10 points will be docked for each missed lecture, tour or
discussion and cannot be made up.
Grading Scale:
94-100%
90-93%
87-89%
84-86%
80-83%
77-79%

A
AB+
B
BC+

74-76%
70-73%
67-69%
64-66%
60-63

C
CD+
D
D-

CLASS SCHEDULE:
Date & Topic:

Itinerary of Activities, Readings & Assignments Due (in bold):

20 FEB
Have read A Brief Guide to Classical Civilization in full, plus response
Intro to the Classical World questions in Academic journal
Practical Travel Advice
13 MAR
Greece and Philosophy

Introduction to Greek Philosophy, Epicurus Letter to Menoeceus, plus


response questions in Academic journal

3 APR
Early Christianity

Pauls Letter to the Ephesians plus response questions in Academic


journal

24 APR
Rome

Lucretius: Book 3 plus response questions in Academic journal

1 MAY
Introductions

Flight from SLC to Izmir, Turkey


Read The Seven Sleepers, Journal
2

2 MAY
Introducing the Classical
World

Morning: Arrive in Izmir, Charter bus to Seluk


Afternoon: Meet archeologist and tour Ephesus
Evening: free time, response question in Journal
Sleep in Seluk

3 MAY
The origins of Western
philosophy

Morning: Miletus. Read Anaxamander


Afternoon: Prine. Read Plutarch on Alexander, Alexanders
Brotherhood of Man speech
Evening: Free time, response questions in Journal
Sleep in Seluk.

4 MAY
Epicurus and Pythagoras

Day trip to the island of Samos.


Read Epicurus Principle Doctrines, response questions in Journal
Sleep in Seluk.

5 MAY
Christianity and The
Empire

Morning: Tour bus to Hierapolis. Read Greek Religion primary source


collection and Saint Phillip
Afternoon: Tour Hierapolis, response questions in Journal
Sleep in Pamukkale

6 MAY
Lycian culture

Morning: Tour bus to Fethye. Read Diogenes Epicurean Inscription


Noon: Stop in Oenoanda.
Afternoon: Xanthos. Read The Lycian League
Sleep in Fethye, response questions in Journal

7 MAY
Rhodesian culture

Morning: Ferry to Rhodes. Read Hymn to the Muse


Day: Tour bus around Rhodes.
Evening: Overnight ferry to Crete, response questions in Journal

8 MAY
The Minoans

Morning: Arrive in Heraklion, Crete.


Explore Heraklion Archeological Museum
Evening: Free time, response questions in Journal
Sleep in Heraklion

9 MAY
The Minoans

Morning: Meet archeologists and tour Knossos. Read Greek excerpts


on Hellenic Women, response questions in Journal
Evening: Free time
Sleep in Heraklion

10 MAY
The Minoans

Free Day: Optional trips to inland Minoan archeological sites


Read Marcus Aurelius Meditations: Book 4, response questions in
Journal
Sleep in Heraklion

11 MAY
The Roman Emperors

Morning: Fly to Rome. Read Epicurus Vatican Sayings


Afternoon: Walking tour of ancient forum and Colosseum, response
questions in Journal
Sleep in Rome

12 MAY
The Rise of Christianity

Morning: Pantheon
Afternoon: Vatican City. Read St. Ambrose on bishops, response
questions in Journal
Sleep in Rome

13 MAY
Roman Epicureanism

Morning: Tour bus to Pompeii and Herculaneum. Review Lucretius


Book 3
Bus back to Rome, response questions in Journal
3

Sleep in Rome
14 MAY
Conclusions

Morning: Seminar with classics professor Alice Chapman


Afternoon: free time, response questions in Journal
Sleep in Rome

15 MAY
Fly home

Fly home

Please Note:
Any form of cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students engaging in unethical behavior will
be prosecuted to the full extent of the statues of the university.
Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability must contact Services for
Students with Disabilities (SSD) in Room 181of the Student Services Center, or by phoning 801-6266413. SSD can also arrange to provide materials in alternative formats if necessary.

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