Humanities 101
Fall 2007
Dr. Stratton
Humanities 101
Introduction to the Humanities I
Ancient Greece and Rome
Room 121
11:30 Daily
Text: The Greek Way, Edith Hamilton
Instructor: Jon Stratton
WHAT THE CLASS IS ABOUT
“Not only the way we think, but what we think about, we owe to the Greeks.”
Martin Heidegger
This course is an introduction to the influence of the ancient Greek and Roman cultures
upon our culture. We will read one of the most respected books on the Greeks, The
Greek Way by Edith Hamilton. We will read selections from Homer’s Iliad, Virgil’s
Aeneid, and Roman poetry. We will also view two contemporary movies that reflect
Greek life – Troy and 300 – and you will be asked to think and write about the
relationship between the classic readings and the films. We will also view two ancient
Greek plays – Oedipus Rex and Antigone. During the course we will discuss the
relationship of our culture with its heritage in ancient Greece and Rome. The course is an
experiential encounter with our Western cultural heritage at its roots.
HOW THE CLASS WORKS
There are five components of the class; lectures, reading, viewing, writing and
discussion.
 Lectures last the entire period and take place about ten times during the
quarter.
 Reading assignments are given on a weekly basis; you will be given study
questions – usually one or two – to discuss and turn in when the reading
assignment is complete.
 Viewing movies and documentaries takes place about six times during the
quarter.
 Written assignments are usually limited to one page.
 All written assignments and lecture notes are discussed. You will learn a
lot in the discussions.
ASSIGNMENTS and GRADES
 Word for the day assignment. Every day a word is written on the board.
Students bring a definition and sentence using the word to class the next
day and turn it in as they enter the room. This is never accepted late.
Humanities 101
Fall 2007
Dr. Stratton
These are not returned. They are graded A only if the sentence and
definition are appropriate and complete. If either is incomplete a B or C
grade will be given. If no definition and sentence is provided, the grade
will be C or D, depending on the quality of the work. The final exam will
ask for definitions and sentences of these words. The word for the day
assignment counts for 25% of your grade.
 Viewing reflection questions. There are about six of these. You are asked
to respond in writing (word processed) to a question given at the
beginning of the viewing period. Your response is due when the viewing
is complete. The class will discuss the responses. Viewing reflection
questions count for 25% of your grade
 Reading question assignments on The Greek Way and other readings ask
for your written thoughts on a specific question in relation to the reading
assignment. You usually have four or five days to read and write the
assignment. Reading question assignments count for 25% of your grade.
 The final exam, as noted above, will ask for definitions and sentences for
the words of the day. The final will consist of approximately 30 words to
be defined and used in sentences. The final exam counts for 25% of your
grade.
 Reflection questions will be assigned after lectures and some other
classroom activities. These are not graded. Your written responses will
be used for classroom discussion.
Important things for your success
 Attend every class session. Do not cut this class, ever. If you are planning on not
coming to class every day, you should drop early and get your money back from
the business office.
 Class sessions are work sessions. Arrive on time, be prepared, and participate.
You can socialize and have fun in a lot of places, but not in class. We are here to
work on the meaning of our cultural heritage.
 Turn in your assigned work on time. Procrastination is saying no to the energy of
life.
 Turn off any electronic devices, including laptops and cells.
 Avoid distracting behavior (for example, leaving the room once class has started,
whispering, eating, or making rude comments). Keep in mind that this course is
important to everyone in it. Your fellow students have paid tuition (over $300) for
this course with the intention of learning about our cultural heritage, earning
Humanities credit, and graduating from WWCC. The instructor may lower your
grade considerably for any distracting behavior on your part.
 Turning in any work that is not your own will result in either failing or dropping
the entire course. Cheating is an exhibition of weakness of soul. Avoid it.