Announcement: Essay Assignment

Course Description:

In the fifth century, the city of Athens experienced a remarkable period of political, military, literary, and intellectual ascendency. Against the background of establishing democracy, spearheading the defense of Greece against an expansionist Persian Empire, and forging (and losing) an empire of its own, Athenians produced stunning and influential achievements in philosophy, tragedy, comedy, sculpture, and architecture.

The works of Athenians and their contemporaries will be the main sources for our investigation. As we learn about the important events and developments of this century, we will also examine the daily working of Athenian democracy, economy, love, art, science, education, and religion, with an eye to the illuminating contrasts inherent in Athenian culture and society. Restless, wary, elegant, vulgar, pious, and brutal, the legacy of the Athenian “Golden Age” continues to define and influence human achievement (and travails) to this day.

Requirements: Enthusiastic and well-prepared participation in class discussions; two short papers; an in-class presentation; occasional quizzes, and two exams.

Schedule permitting, we will take a field trip to the Greek Antiquities collection of New York’s Metropolitan Museum (perhaps in early November) or the University of Pennsylvania’s Museum of Archaeology. There will also be two evening film showings: “300” (9/20), “Trojan Women” (12/6).

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.

Course Number: CSTS119
Location: Hilles 109
Time: T/Th 11:30-1
Professor: Bret Mulligan
Office: Hall Building 109
E-Mail: bmulliga[at]haverford[dot]edu )