Dr. B. Vivante
Off: LSB 216
Classics Dept. Off: LSB 203, 621-1809 bvivante@email.arizona.edu
Off. Hrs: TuTh 1–2 pm & by appt. http://classics.arizona.edu/node/109
Welcome to Classics 250A, Ancient Greek Literature in Translation!
We will read some of the most exciting literature of ancient Greece and the Western tradition. This literary excursion will take us through views of the gods and religious ideas in creation tales and hymns, the heroic exploits of epic poetry, the views of war, gender identity, and human values dramatized in the tragedies and comedies, and philosophic reflections on these themes. Let’s enjoy as we embark on an amazing journey!
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Hesiod, Theogony/Works & Days/Shield , trans., A. Athanassakis. 1983.
The Homeric Hymns , trans., D. Rayor. 2004.
Homer, The Iliad , trans. S. Lombardo. 20x.
Aeschylus, Oresteia , trans. Peter Meineck. 1998.
Euripides, Iphigeneia at Aulis , trans., W.S. Merwin and G.E. Dimock Jr. 1992.
Aristophanes, Lysistrata , trans. Sarah Ruden. 2003.
Plato, The Last Days of Socrates , trans. H. Tredennick. 2003.
Additional Readings on d2l, online course access
CAUTION: Some readings and images may contain scenes of graphic violence or sex, often different from today’s norms. Often such dramatic scenes in the mythology reflect deep-seated human fears or desires and thus afford an excellent opportunity to discuss these themes pedagogically. However, anyone uncomfortable with such material may want to consider dropping this class.
SYLLABUS (a guide to the work of the semester). Note dates for Essays, Exams.
Abbr: p. = page, pp. = pages, l. = line no., ll. = lines, b = bottom, m = mid, t = top
Tu Aug 21 Introduction to the course, Greek chronology, geography; oral traditions; Hesiod
Th Aug 23 Timeline, Reference on Greek Deities, and Reading Guidelines: d2l
Hesiod, Theogony, pp. 1–18, p. 2 l.383–p. 29, pp. 35.881–38 (notes from p. 39)
“Homeric Hymn to Gaia,” p. 100
Tu Aug 28 Stories of Prometheus & Pandora, Theog.
, ll. 556–612, & Works and Days , ll. 47–106
Hesiod, Works and Days , pp. 67–8, ll. 1–16, pp. 69–73, ll.107–269 (notes from p. 88)
Th Aug 30 Background to the Trojan War, d2l; Homer, Iliad , Book 1: The Anger of Akhilleus.
EXAM 1 available on d2l Thu 12:20 pm – Fri 6 pm.
Tu Sep 4 Iliad , Books 2–3: Marshalling of the troops; Paris, Menelaos, Helen, Aphrodite
Th Sep 6 Iliad , Books 5–6: Diomedes, Glaukos; Hektor, Hekabe, Helen, Andromakhe
Tu Sep 11 Iliad , Books 9–10: Akhilleus; Night Raid
Th Sep 13 Iliad , Books 11, 14–15: Hera, Zeus; Fire at the Akhaian ships.
EXAM 2 available on d2l Thu 12:20 pm – Fri 6 pm.
Tu Sep 18 ROSH HASHANAH – NO CLASS.
Th Sep 20 Iliad , Books 16, 18–19: Patroklos, Sarpedon; Akhilleus’ Shield
Tu Sep 25 Iliad , Books 20–22: Akhilleus’ battle aristeia ; Death of Hektor
Th Sep 27 Iliad , Books 23–24: Funeral Games for Patroklos; Priam, Akhilleus
EXAM 3 available on d2l Thu 12:20 pm – Fri 6 pm.
Tu Oct 2 “Homeric Hymns to Aphrodite,” pp. 75–86, 90 (notes from p. 132): Greek Goddess of
Sexuality and Erotic Desire—the nature of desire, what she offers humankind.
ANALYTIC ESSAY 1 DUE.
Th Oct 4 “Homeric Hymn to Demeter,” pp. 17–34 (notes from p. 107): Greek Goddess of Agriculture;
Female Experiences.

Clas. 250A Syllabus/Class Policy, p.
2
Tu Oct 9 Demeter and the Eleusinian Mysteries—major ancient Greek religious practices; d2l.
Th Oct 11 “Homeric Hymn to Apollo,” pp. 35–53 (notes from p. 115): Greek God of Music, Prophecy,
Male Youth.
Tu Oct 16 “Homeric Hymns to Hermes, Pan,” pp. 55–74, 93–95 (notes from p. 127, 144): Greek Gods of Thievery, Invention, Messenger, Male Fertility.
EXAM 4 available on d2l Tu 12:20 pm – Wed 6 pm.
Th Oct 18 Introduction to Athenian Drama, in Oresteia , pp. vi 1 st pgh., xi –xvi mid;
Lysistrata , pp. 112–114 top; d2l
Aeschylus, Agamemnon , in Oresteia , pp. li, 1–39—the Chorus, Klytaimestra, Agamemnon; themes of revenge and justice.
Tu Oct 23 Agamemnon , in Oresteia , pp. lxxviii, 1–30, l. 625—nature of law, justice
Dramatic Reading: the tapestry scene ll.895–957—Klytaimestra’s persuasion of
Agamemnon
Th Oct 25 Aeschylus, The Libation Bearers (ending) and The Furies , in Oresteia , pp. 111.1021–p. 113,
116–160—nature of law, justice, revenge
Tu Oct 30 Euripides, Iphigeneia at Aulis —Euripides’ take on these themes.
EXAM 5 available on d2l Thu 12:20 pm – Fri 6 pm.
Th Nov 1 Background on Athenian Democracy, Greek Warfare, the Peloponnesian War, Athenian
Women, and Greek Comedy in Lysistrata , pp. 74–102m, 105–112t
ANALYTIC ESSAY 2 DUE.
Tu Nov 6 Aristophanes’ Lysistrata , pp. vii-viii top, x, 1–40, l.705: War, women, humor.
Th Nov 8 Lysistrata , cont., p. 40, l.706–p. 73: War, women, humor.
Dramatic Reading , ll.831–966.
Tu Nov 13 Pre-Socratic Philosophers, d2l: the Nature of the universe, philosophic topics.
Th Nov 15 Introduction to Sokrates, The Last Days of Socrates , pp. vii, xv (2 nd pgh) – xvii (top), xxvi
(3 rd pgh) – xxvii, 33-34 (top pgh)
Plato’s Apology , in The Last Days of Socrates , pp. 39–61 (notes from p. 213): the Ethical basis of human activity
Tu Nov 20 Apology , cont. and Plato’s Crito , pp. 61b–70, 79–96, (notes from p. 222): Ethics, cont.
Th Nov 22 THANKSGIVING DAY – NO CLASS.
Tu Nov 27 End of Plato’s Phaedo , in The Last Days of Socrates , pp. 187–199 (notes from p. 149): immortality of the soul.
Th Nov 29 Aristotle Outline, d2l: Ethics and politics.
Tu Dec 4 Review and Evaluations
FINAL EXAM: Scheduled, Tue Dec 11, 10:30 am–12:30 pm.
Available on d2l – Mon 12/10, 8 am – Tue 12/11, 12:30 pm

Clas. 250A Syllabus/Class Policy, p.
3
COURSE POLICY
Attendance: Attendance is required and roll is taken. For every three (3) absences, I lower your grade one letter grade. I may excuse up to three (3) absences. It is your responsibility to inform me of an excused absence. I may administratively drop any registered student not attending the first class day or any student who adds and does not attend the next class. Please inform me if you drop the class.
Class Conduct: Be on time, and remain till class has ended. Attending only part of a class may count as an absence for that day. No eating, blowing bubbles, or private conversations during class. Covered drink containers are fine.
TURN OFF all cell phones, blackberries, droids, iphones, ipads, pagers, etc. Private phone conversations or texting will result in confiscation of electronic equipment for the duration of the class. These poor classroom habits diminish your own learning, negatively affect your grade, and erode the learning experience for the whole class. I reserve the right to drop any student whose disrespectful or disruptive behavior to me or your classmates hinders learning goals. See http://policy.web.arizona.edu/~policy/threaten.shtml
.
Disability Aid: If you require assistance due to a disability, please contact the Disability Resource Center
(DRC), 621-3274, http://drc.arizona.edu
. If you are registered with the DRC you must submit appropriate documentation to me if you are requesting reasonable accommodations: http://drc.arizona.edu/teach/syllabusstatement.html
.
Assignments: Keep up with daily reading assignments, and bring the day’s readings to class with you.
Readings and other assignments are due on the date indicated on the syllabus. If you are absent for any reason, you must still keep up with the scheduled assignments. Get the notes from one of your classmates to find out what you have missed.
Contract: The Syllabus and Class Policy are the legal contract between the professor and the student. All items are legally binding unless otherwise indicated. All lectures are copyright 2009 by Bella Vivante and the
Arizona Board of Regents. Selling or unauthorized transfer for value of any notes for this class without the written permission of Professor Vivante may constitute copyright infringement and/or violate University policies. Students found in violation of these prohibitions may be subject to University penalties and legal sanctions. See http://www.ott.arizona.edu/uploads/ip_policy.pdf
.
Group Learning: A significant part of the class entails your active participation in your learning process in small group discussion sections. Groups will meet regularly, usually at the beginning of class. Your group participation figures in determining your final grade.
Class Participation: Participation in class discussion is important for your grade. Diverse points of view on any topic are encouraged, with one proviso: express yourself respectfully and listen respectfully to each other’s points of view. Everyone has something valuable to contribute, so I encourage you to express your ideas and to engage with each other in stimulating dialogue.
Writing Requirements:
ALL WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE HANDED IN ON THE DUE DATE.
♦ A late paper will be docked one full letter grade.
♦ A late paper will be accepted only up to one class period after the due date.
♦ All essays must be typed or word processed. No handwritten essays. HARD COPY ONLY.
♦ All essays are to be your own original work.
♦ Plagiarism and cheating in any of your course work will not be tolerated. See the Code of Academic
Integrity at http://catalog.arizona.edu/policies/974/acacode.htm
.
Analytic Essays: One (1) 3-page (@750 words) analytic essay in response to assigned questions that allow you to pursue your thoughts on a particular theme or idea. If you are satisfied with the grade on the first essay, it’s the only one you need to do. If you wish to improve your grade you may either
♦ re-write this essay in accordance with my comments and writing guidelines; or
♦ write a second essay in response to a new set of questions

Clas. 250A Syllabus/Class Policy, p.
4
Exams: Five (5) Exams and one (1) Final, composed of multiple choice and possibly short-answer questions testing your overall comprehension of the class material. You will receive a study guide before each exam.
All exams are administered through d2l outside of regular class times.
MARK exam dates in your calendar and REMEMBER to take the exams. Make-up exams will be considered only in documented emergencies, such as serious illness, injury, or death of immediate family member. You must inform me at once of any emergency preventing you from taking your exam during the scheduled time.
Grading:
I grade on the quality of the work, not on a curve, as follows:
90-100
80 - 89
A
B
70 - 79
60 - 69
C
D below 60 E
Grading Percentages:
Analytic Essay
Exams
Group Participation
Class Participation
I take improvement into account in determining your final grade.
Total
30 %
45 %
15 %
10 %
100 %
Study Habits: I encourage you to get to know each other and study together. I also encourage you to keep a class journal for recording your ideas about the course material and class discussion. You will benefit greatly both from the study groups and from your own responses to the class work.
Now that all the ground rules have been set out, Welcome to the class, and Enjoy it!