Time Schedule:
Carol G Thomas
HSTAM 401
Seattle Campus
Bronze and Dark Age Greece: realities of the heroic age of ancient Greece.
Class description
HSTAM 401 examines the first two periods of ancient Greek history: the Bronze Age (ca. 3000-1150 BCE) and the Dark Age (ca. 1150-750 BCE). Until roughly a century ago, both periods were regarded as little more than imaginary creations of the lively Greek mind better regarded as the sphere of legend and/or myth. It required new methods, developed from the last quarter of the ninteenth century, to demonstrate that the legends of the heroic age had a factual base. Both the methods and the factual base revealed by them will occupy our attention. Not all puzzles have been solved.
Student learning goals
Understanding of the tools of research
Knowledge of the basic chronology
Appreciation of the pattern of international developments
Realization of the relation to other contemporary cultures
SEnse of the change in undrstanding over time
General method of instruction
The format of class combines lecture and discussion. Since many major issues remain unresolved, discussion is essential and time for discussion will be included in each meeting. Orientation is both chronological and methodological. It is essential to draw heavily on archaeological data; thus slides and power points will play a singificant role.
Recommended preparation
A general knowledge of the broad parameters of ancient history is important. Such knowledge might derive from historical survey courses, classes in Art History or Classics and individual reading.
Class assignments and grading
There will be brief in-class exams on the fundamental aspects of the two periods one on the Bronze Age and the second on the Dark Age. Other assignments will be papers: two on primary sources, one on other evidence, and a final capstone essay. This is a writing course.
Each in-class exam: 151% = 30% Papers on primary sources 15% = 30% Capstone Essay 30% Participation 10%
