Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
HUMID020.
Course Title (CB02)
The Greek Achievement
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This course offers a critical examination and exploration of the intellectual and artistic achievements of the Ancient Greeks who created new cultural alternatives, experiences, and values in self-awareness, rationalism, community, education, ethics, and justice. Particular attention will be paid to these experiences and values, which will be explored and analyzed through Greek art, architecture, science, philosophy, drama, poetry, and religion.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Humanities ]
Discipline 2
[History]
Discipline 3
[Philosophy]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - HUMANITIES]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course meets a general education (GE) requirement for °®¶¹´«Ã½, CSU GE, and IGETC and belongs on the Liberal Arts (Arts and Letters Emphasis) Associate Degree. This course is UC and CSU transferable. This course provides students with unique content and learning outcomes not found elsewhere through a deep understanding of the pressing political, social, and cultural questions facing the Ancient Greeks (from the Bronze to the Hellenistic Era) and their world and examines the legacy of the Greeks from Antiquity up to the present day.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
°®¶¹´«Ã½ GEArea(s)StatusDetails
2GC2°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE Area C2 - HumanitiesApproved
CSU GEArea(s)StatusDetails
CGC2CSU GE Area C2 - HumanitiesApproved
IGETCArea(s)StatusDetails
IG3BIGETC Area 3B - HumanitiesApproved

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

(See general education pages for the requirements this course meets.)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

Assignments

  1. Reading assignments
    1. Assigned readings will focus on primary sources
    2. Selected secondary sources
    3. Supplementary readings for research projects
  2. Written assignments
    1. Short critical essays based on selected reading assignments. Such assignments will emphasize synthesis and interrelationships between concepts.
    2. A major research project involving experience with the subject gained through immersion in subject materials such as primary sources, videotape, computer data base and secondary sources.
  3. Discussion based collaborative group work

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Short essay quizzes on topics from the reading assignments emphasizing synthesis and interrelationships between concepts and evaluated based on demonstrated mastery of course objectives.
  2. A research project designed to strengthen the student's ability to analyze, evaluate and synthesize data gathered from primary and secondary sources. The project will require a written paper of no less than five pages of text not including notes, will include a bibliography. To be evaluated based on demonstrated mastery of course objectives.
  3. A two-hour analytical essay final exam requiring the student to make connections between alternating concepts and relationships and to analyze and describe issues and themes discussed in class. To be evaluated based on demonstrated mastery of course objectives.
  4. Participation in classroom discussions in which the student's skill in interpreting and debating relevant issues will be assessed and evaluated based on demonstrated mastery of course objectives.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None
Essential College Facilities:
  • None

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Cohen, S. Marc, Curd, Patricia, Reeve, C.D.C. (Editors)Readings in Ancient Greek Philosophy: From Thales to Aristotle, Fifth EditionHackett Publishing Company, Inc.Fifth edition/2016978-1624665325
Hesiod (Author), Hugh G. Evelyn-White (Translator)Works and Days & The TheogonyIndependently Published2021979-8473064858
Homer (Author), Wilson, Emily (Translator)The Odyssey Paperback - Deckle EdgeW. W. Norton & Company2018978-0393356250
Euripides (Author), Edward P. Coleridge (Translator) M. (Editor, Introduction)Medea and Other PlaysDigireads.com Publishing2020978-1420967470
Herodotus (Author), Paul Cartledge (Editor, Introduction), Tom Holland (Translator)The Histories: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)Penguin ClassicsReprint edition; 2015978-0143107545

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Develop and use intellectual reasoning skills
  • Assess and compare the impact of other cultures on Greek society
  • Assess historical developments of the Greeks
  • Identify and examine racism and sexism
  • Identify and analyze characteristics of Classical Greek philosophy
  • Examine Greek art, architecture, and literature
  • Recognize and evaluate the influence of Greek culture

CSLOs

  • Apply the synthesis of critical thinking, imaginative, cooperative, and empathetic abilities as whole to contextualize knowledge, interpret and communicate meaning, and cultivate their capacity for personal, as well as social change.

  • Evaluate the impact of other cultures on Greek society.

  • Demonstrate how Greek culture has influenced the world.

Outline

  1. Develop and use intellectual reasoning skills
    1. Systematic inquiry into the nature of relevant sources and materials, explanation, examination and use of primary and secondary sources.
    2. Problems of perspective and the archeological record.
    3. Influence of regionally related cultures
      1. On issues of gender
      2. On historical perspectives
  2. Assess and compare the impact of other cultures on Greek society
    1. Archetypes of the Divine: the cross-cultural model
    2. Chthonic deities and their cults
    3. Egyptian influences
    4. Relationships between Mycenaean (Homeric) and Indo-European myths
    5. Effects of the Persian Wars
  3. Assess historical developments of the Greeks
    1. Origins of Greek culture
      1. Geography of Greece
      2. Initial migration of Indo-European (non-Greek) tribes into region
      3. Foundation of Minoan and Mycenaean Civilizations
      4. Origin stories and events of Greek myths
      5. Trojan War
        1. Relationship of Homeric epics to this event.: such as societal roles for males and females, development of warrior code of honor and arete (excellence), significance and function of the oral tradition and non-Greek influences (Ionia and Anatolia) in the Iliad and the Odyssey.
        2. Male homosexuality, its prevalence in a militaristic society
      6. Destruction of Mycenaean palaces
      7. Collapse of Near Eastern civilizations in late Bronze Age
      8. Dorian tribal incursions into Greece
    2. Developments of the Archaic Age
      1. Development of a militaristic Regime in Sparta
        1. Reverence of the model - Greeks as militaristic society
        2. Spartan women
        3. Slavery in militant society
      2. The significance of Hesiod
        1. "Personal" poet and the introduction of "I" in poetry
        2. misogyny of Greek Society
      3. Lyric poetry
    3. Solon
      1. The poet as politician
      2. Art as a medium for piety
      3. Community and role of citizen's arete' (excellence)
    4. Science and mathematics
      1. Asia minor provides intercultural mileu which leads to scientific knowledge and mathematical development
      2. Natural Philosophers
        1. Thales
        2. Anaximander
      3. The explorations of scientific ideas leads to new philosophies of life and ethics
        1. Pythagoras
        2. Protagoras
        3. Democritus
        4. Hippocrates of Cos
      4. Concept of Logos and its influence on later philosophy and Christianity
    5. Persian Wars
      1. Herodotus
      2. Triumph of Greek dike' ("right way") or justice
    6. Pre-Socratics and Sophistry
    7. The Classical Age
      1. The Arts
        1. Historians: Herodotus and Thucydides
        2. The acropolis
        3. Sculpture and pottery
        4. Architecture

          (a) Non-Greek influences
        5. Religion and dramatic festivals:

          (a) Aeschylus

          (b) Sophocles

          (c) Euripides

          (d) Aristophanes
      2. Pericles
        1. Inspired philosopher or sophist
        2. Patriarchal leader or liberal feminist: Aspasia's influence
        3. Founder of democracy - democratic state
      3. Education
        1. Old education as expression of warrior ideal (arete')
        2. Sophistic education as expression of democratic society
      4. The Peloponnesian War
        1. Recognition of human fraility and breakdown of society and morality under impact of war
        2. Strengths and weaknesses of democracy
      5. Philosophy
        1. The discovery of the Greek mind (nous) as a tool for reasoning and rationalism
        2. Socrates - Socratic Method
        3. Plato and the Forms
      6. King Philip of Macedonia and the subjection of Greece
    8. The Hellenistic World
      1. Accession of Alexander
      2. The subjection of the Persian empire and the East
      3. Emergence of the Hellenistic culture
        1. Hellenistic sculpture
        2. Multiculturalism and advancement in the arts and science
        3. Hellenistic education - Alexandria
        4. Hellenistic Philosophy and Science, including Aristotle's influence; Epicurus; Zeno and Stoicism; the new astronomy; Euclid; and Archimedes
        5. Fine Arts and New Comedy: Menander, Apollonius of Rhodes, and Love Epigrams.
  4. Identify and examine racism and sexism
    1. Non-Greeks as inferiors to Greeks--racism
      1. Despotism vs. Democracy and the Golden Mean: slaves and freedom
      2. The subjection of the Persian empire and the East
      3. Emergence of a Hellenistic culture
      4. War and militancy (slavery) as a vehicle for racism
    2. Sexism
      1. Greek misogyny in various poleis
      2. Euripides as champion of women or reflector of Greek misogyny
      3. Spartan women compared to women in other Greek poleis
      4. Lesbianism as a reaction to misogyny
  5. Identify and analyze characteristics of Classical Greek philosophy
    1. Perfection of the human soul
      1. Sophists and Socrates
      2. Platonic Forms
    2. Mysticism as a directive toward Truth
    3. The "Axis Age" the simultaneous development of influence of similar philosophical ideals in Greece, India, Egypt, Persia, the Israel, and China
      1. Socrates et al, Buddha, Zoraster, Jewish prophets, Lao Tzu, and Confucius
      2. Influence of these similar ideals on Greece
    4. Aristotle
  6. Examine Greek art, architecture, and literature
    1. Art and Architecture
      1. Art forms as religious expressions and votive offerings
      2. Art as expression of community and the State and its purpose
      3. Art as a philosophical means to truth
      4. Art as an expression and extension of nature.
      5. Birth of aesthetics
      6. Egyptian and Eastern influences on Greek art and architecture.
    2. Literature
      1. Poetry as a vehicle for the expression of universal truths
      2. History as the expression of particular truth (Thucydides and Aristotle)
      3. Drama as cathartic vehicle for the communal experience of humanity and the divine.
      4. Woman as poet: Sappho, Corinna, Myrtis
      5. Poetry as a vehicle of purpose: Religion, Ethics, Social Norms and Morality
      6. Freedom of Speech
  7. Recognize and evaluate the influence of Greek culture
    1. Despotism vs. democracy: as cultural, political models
      1. Constitution of Sparta
      2. Plato and Aristotle: polity defined
    2. The development of didactic and dialectic modes of expression in persuasion and reasoning
      1. Rhetoric
      2. Rationalism
    3. Educational and learning models
    4. Art, Literature, Architecture, Philosophy, Ethics as vehicles of expression in the humanities
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