HUM 3013 Bronze Age Humanities
CRN: 14322 M/W 3:30-4:45pm LA 239
Fall 2010
Department of Humanities and Philosophy
Instructor: Theresa A. Vaughan, Ph.D., Professor of Humanities
Office: LA 205H (Go through Sociology, S.E. corner of Liberal Arts)
Phone: (w) 974-3434, (h) 321-6168 (please use home number only in case of emergency)
E-mail: tvaughan@uco.edu
Office Hours: M/W 2-3:30pm; T 2:30-4:30pm; or by appointment (I am in my office by 9:30 most days)
Course Description: This course is an interdisciplinary study of the cultural accomplishments of the
Bronze Age. The art, literature, and philosophies of the ancient world are given equal emphasis to
provide a comprehensive understanding of Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Aegean civilizations.
Course Objectives: Students will become familiar with the three major geographical areas covered,
including Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Aegean. Bronze Age cultures of this area encompass a diverse
array of artistic, literary, and architectural accomplishments. Students will analyze mythology and
literatures for clues to understanding cultures. Students will master basic iconography and structure
and apply it to understanding works of art and architecture.
Prerequisites: None, although it is assumed that you are able to function at a Junior level. This includes
the ability to complete substantive reading assignments and discuss them in class, write a lengthy
research paper with proper grammar, spelling and citation style, and complete essay exams in the time
allotted. If you feel you will have problems in any of these areas, you may wish to opt out of this
course. Please see me if you would like to discuss these requirements.
Required Texts: The World of the Pharaohs: A Complete Guide to Ancient Egypt, by Christine Hobson
Gilgamesh, translated by John Gardener and John Maier
Aegean Art and Architecture, by Preziosi & Hitchcock (Oxford History of Art)
Instructional Process: I use a number of methods to teach this course; lecture, audio-visual presentation,
class discussion and group work.
Course Communication and Electronic Copies of Handouts: The instructor will keep students apprised
of assignments by posting notices to the class home page on UCONNECT. All handouts will also be
posted there under “Files.” Occasional reminders and notices of class cancellation or other unusual
circumstances will be e-mailed to students at their UCO e-mail address. To get to the course
homepage, log into UCONNECT, click on the “My Courses” tab, click on the “My Courses” link, then
click on the link for this course. If you require additional copies of handouts, please go to this page to
print out new copies.
Readings: There is a considerable amount of reading assigned for this class, and it is expected that you will
keep up with the readings before coming to class. You should be able to discuss and answer questions
about the readings as part of the instructional process
Exams: There will be two exams (one midterm and one final exam). Essays will consist of multiple-choice,
short answer, and essay questions. The final exam will not be comprehensive. Please note: Make-up
exams will be completely essay in format, and may only be taken if the student has a documented
excused absence for the day of the exam.
Term Paper: Each student will be required to complete a term paper exploring in depth some topic related
to class material. The term paper must be a minimum of eight to ten typed, double-spaced pages, and
must include at least four scholarly references. Students are expected to write at a Junior level, with
proper citations, good organization, clear, grammatical English, and a reasonable depth of analysis, and
will be penalized if they do not attend to these requirements. Topics must be cleared with the
instructor. Further information will be given in class.
Gilgamesh Presentation: All students will be required to present a selection from the Epic of Gilgamesh in
class. Students may work in small groups to present their selection.
Research Presentation: All students will be required to do a 10 minute oral presentation on their own
research topics. The topic may be the same as that for the term paper, or may be another area, as long
as it is cleared with the instructor.
Grading:
The available points for each assignment are as follows:
Midterm Exam
300 pts.
Final Exam
300 pts.
Term Paper
300 pts.
Research Presentation
50 pts.
Gilgamesh Presentation
50 pts.
1000 pts.
The final grade will be based upon a standard 10% scale, with a .5% round-up, so grades corresponding to
total points are as follows: 895-1000=A, 795-894=B, 695-794=C, 595-694=D, 0-594=F
Late Work and Missed Exams: Missed exams may ONLY be made up with a documentable excuse
presented in a timely manner to the instructor. Make-up exams will be all essay in format. Late written
work will be docked 10% for each day it is late, with no excuses accepted for late work. Attendance is
not mandatory, but more than a few absences will adversely affect your grade as exams are based on
the lectures. It is your responsibility to obtain notes from another student (not the professor) for classes
missed.
The Academic Affairs Student Information Sheet can be found at:
http://broncho2.uco.edu/academicaffairs/StudentInfoSheet.pdf
Course Calendar
Please note that this calendar is a tentative outline only; all changes will be announced in class. Students
are responsible for noting all syllabus changes.
Week
1
8/23,
8/25
2
8/30,
9/1
3
9/6,
9/8
4
9/13,
9/15
5
9/20,
9/22
6
9/27,
9/29
7
10/4,
10/6
8
10/11,
10/13
9
10/18,
10/20
10
10/25,
10/27
11
11/1,
11/3
12
11/8,
11/10
13
11/15,
11/17
14
11/22,
11/24
15
11/29,
12/1
16
12/612/8
17
Chapter and Topic
Introduction to the Study of the Ancient
World
Reading Selections
Hobson: Intro, Ch. I
Egypt: Old Kingdom
Hobson: Ch. II
Egypt: Old Kingdom
Hobson: Ch. III
Egypt: Middle Kingdom to New
Kingdom
Hobson: Ch. IV
Egypt: New Kingdom
Hobson: Ch. V, VI
Important Dates
No Class 9/6
Labor Day
Egypt: Wrap Up
Mesopotamia Intro
Epic of Gilgamesh Presentations
Gardener and Maier: Whole text
Epic of Gilgamesh Presentations
“
Review: Wednesday,
10/13
MIDTERM EXAM
Monday, 10/18
Aegean: The Aegean World
Preziosi & Hitchcock: Ch. 1, 2
Aegean: 1st Palace Period
Preziosi & Hitchcock: Ch. 3
Aegean: 2nd Palace Period
Preziosi & Hitchcock: Ch. 4
Aegean: Mycenaean Domination
Preziosi & Hitchcock: Ch. 5
Optional Term Paper
Draft due Monday, 11/15
End of the Bronze Age
Preziosi & Hitchcock: Ch. 6
No Class Wednesday,
11/24
Thanksgiving Break
Term Paper Due
Monday, 11/29
Research Presentations
Research Presentations
Review: Wednesday, 12/8
FINAL EXAM
Wednesday, 12/15
3-4:50pm