To accomplish these goals, in this course you will:
• review and (re-)master Greek syntax, morphology and important vocabulary,
• get acquainted with the literary, philosophical and historical context of Socrates and Plato,
• develop a sense of Herodotus’ contribution to the development of historiography,
• acquire an introduction to Greek dialects (Attic and Ionic), and
• learn the basic functions of an apparatus criticus.

Course expectations
Learning Greek is a demanding endeavor, and this class will require a lot from you.  Success in this course, as in all language study, is achieved through systematic, regular and concentrated study.  Don’t get behind on the reading or things will rapidly go downhill.  If for any reason you have not done the preparation, please let me know at the beginning of class.

The majority of your out-of-class time should be spent preparing the reading for the given week, using your text, dictionary and grammar.  I encourage you to work in pairs or small groups to share insights, work through difficulties and make friends.  And please don’t hesitate to see me if you are having problems or just want to discuss these terrific works of literature. 

You are expected to have prepared the reading for any given week, whether or not we get the chance to translate or discuss all of it.  By “prepare”, I mean that you should have read it over at least once, tried to understand the Greek as best you can, and have prepared questions on the parts that confuse you.  While I encourage you to take notes, prepare vocabulary lists, or use other systems to help yourself understand the material, in class you must work from a clean copy of the Greek text rather than from a written translation.  You may find it useful to photocopy the Latin text to annotate with interesting philological or literary features, but you shouldn’t be reading from it in class. 

In addition, I have two other recommendations: first, a secret to really understanding the Greek is, after class, to “post-pare” an assignment that we’ve just gone over.  It shouldn’t take more than fifteen minutes or so, and is the best way to make it stick in your mind.  Second, you should also read the assignment out loud to yourself.  This will give you a better sense of the Greek and its poetic effects.  It’ll also annoy your roommate; and isn’t that reason enough?

You can expect me to help you with all your Greek needs, during my office hours.  I teach other classes, so if you need to see me and cannot make scheduled office hours, please make an appointment; otherwise, I can’t guarantee that I will be available. I will answer all email inquiries within 24 hours, and usually much more quickly than that.

Reports on readings and topics:
You will be asked to make reports on articles or chapters relating to the themes of the course, or on the specific texts that we are reading.  In addition, there will be opportunities for reports on related material that we aren’t reading in class, or reading in translation.  These will be graded on delivery as well as content.

A note on class participation:
It almost goes without saying that you have to be present in the classroom in order to be able to participate in class.  Regular attendance is therefore imperative if you want to attain a high grade.  If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to make sure that you are abreast of what you have missed, including announcements made in class.
In addition to being present in class in body, you should also be present in mind, and it is thoughtful and enthusiastic participation that will win the highest dividends.  In computing the participation portion that makes up 25% of your grade, I will take regular stock of the following aspects:
• your preparation for class (have you looked up unfamiliar words, parsed verbs, read explanatory notes in the back of the book?)
• your attendance in class
• your active participation in class (i.e. are you alert and involved, or unfocused and passive?)
• your contribution to class discussion (both open discussion and discussion of readings)
• your performance in class projects
• your contribution to creating a positive class environment.

Finally, if you are struggling with any aspect of the course, please talk to me about the problem, the sooner the better.  There are many learning techniques that can serve a range of learning styles.  Feel free to come by my office or to email me at afenton@haverford.edu.

Grading policy

Your grade will be based partly on numerical percentages and partly as noted by the instructor.  Grades are based on the following:
• quizzes on readings, morphology, syntax and vocabulary (bi-weekly): 40%
• midterm: 15%
• final exam: 20%
• daily class preparation (including reports and short quizzes): 25%

Accommodation of disabilities
If you have specific physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know during the first week of classes so that your learning needs may be met appropriately.  You should also contact Rick Webb, Coordinator, Office of Disabilities Services (rwebb@haverford.edu, 610-896-1290) to coordinate reasonable accommodations for your disability. Documentation will be necessary, and recommendations for procedure essential to helping you in the best way possible, as well.

Required texts
Hare, John E.  Plato: Euthyphro (2nd edition).  Bryn Mawr Commentaries (Hackett)
Sheets, George A.  Herodotus: Book One. Bryn Mawr Commentaries (Hackett)
Morwood, James.  Oxford Grammar of Classical Greek.  Oxford.
You will also need a good Greek lexicon.  I recommend Liddell and Scott’s Abridged Greek Lexicon (a.k.a. the “Little Liddell”).

I will endeavor to have all course documents (including the syllabus, assignment lists and handouts) on the course Blackboard site.