Study of the major developments, achievements, and contradictions in Greek culture from the Bronze Age to the 4th century BCE. Key works of literature, history, and philosophy (read in English translation) will be examined in their political and social context, and in relation both to other ancient Mediterranean cultures and to subsequent developments in Western civilization.

This course will provide a survey of ancient Greek literature, history, and culture extending from the eighth century BCE down to the death of Socrates in 399 BCE. We will focus on what made Greek culture distinctive and different from our own, including such topics as the cultural and political contexts of artistic performance; the rise of democracy and its co-implication with slavery and imperialism; the relation of individual to community; and the sex-gender system. This will entail substantial reading in translation of primary texts, including Homer, Hesiod, Attic tragedy and comedy, Herodotus, Thucydides, and Plato.

Credit Restrictions

Students will receive no credit for CLASSIC 10A after completing CLASSIC S10AX, or CLASSIC S10A.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills