Civilizations of the Ancient World “History is philosophy
teaching by examples.”
Rationale Our entire lives are
conditioned by concepts like civilization
and society, yet we seldom stop
to think about how they shape our behaviors and expectations. By traveling back
to the very emergence of civilization, we can experience both the revolution in
how humans related to each other and the proliferation of new kinds of
societies—each with their own distinct ideas about communities and
individuals, communication, trade, protection, gender, mortality, and the wild,
unbounded realms of the gods. All of this forms not just the background but the
substance of the modern world—how we think, and what others think of us.
The everyday hubbub of ancient worlds vibrates in the bones of our own
societies.
Aims In this course we will
survey of the Mediterranean world, beginning with the first humans and tracing
the development of civilization from Mesopotamia and Egypt to the ancient Greek
city-states and the rise and fall of Rome. Our plan will be to compare the
principles and practices of these societies, toward a stronger understanding of
human society in general. Specific Learning Objectives In
this course we’ll be pursuing a number of goals, including:
Course Requirements Course Readings The following three books are required:
All are available from Lehman College Bookstore, either in
person or online: http://www.bkstr.com/Home/10001-227905-1.
Attendance Class attendance is required. Missing classes will damage your grade. The textbook is designed to give you the basics; it’s in class that we try to make sense of things and sift out what’s important. Missing classes means you miss out on a key part of our trying to put things together. Plus, if you miss classes, you’ll miss quizzes, which will put a big crimp in your grade for the course. Religious observances that affect your class attendance should be discussed in advance. Make-up exams are given only in cases of documented medical emergencies. Assignments Your grade for the course will be determined from the
following:
Submitting Assignments You may email me your written assignments, but it doesn’t “count” unless you get an email back from me saying I received it. Unless I reply back to you, I didn’t receive it. If there’s any question about whether I’m receiving your emails, please talk to me about it in class. Late assignments will be marked down. Written assignments will be marked down one letter grade per class meeting after the assignment due date, up to a maximum of 30 points. That means you’re still better off turning in your paper late, and having it be marked down, than not turning it in at all. Grading Procedures I do not give extra credit opportunities except to the entire class. I do not grade on a curve.
guidelines
Don’t waste this opportunity! Make the most out of this class. Please use me as a resource. Come to my office hours, talk to me after class, or send me emails with any questions you have—whether they relate to the requirements of the course or ideas we’re reading about or discussing in class. Be on time and prepared. By prepared, I mean you should come into class having done the readings for that day and thought about them. Come in ready to talk about your reactions to the readings and the questions they raised in your mind. Check your email. Make sure I have a good email address for you and check it, as I occasionally send information and updates by email. If you have not gotten an email from me within the first week after school begins, check your spam folders. If you can’t find an email from me, email me to let me know. Cell phones and electronics need to be silenced and stowed. A phone ringing during class is hugely disruptive. Texting during class is just as rude and insulting as talking on the phone. Talk to me if you’re struggling. Come to me in office hours or after class, and the sooner the better. Don’t wait until it’s too late to turn things around. academic policies Academic Integrity Lehman College is committed to the highest standards of
academic honesty. Acts of academic dishonesty include—but are not limited
to—plagiarism (in drafts, outlines, and examinations, as well as final
papers), cheating, bribery, academic fraud, sabotage of research materials, the
sale of academic papers, and the falsification of records. An individual who
engages in these or related activities or who knowingly aids another who
engages in them is acting in an academically dishonest manner and will be
subject to disciplinary action. Plagiarism includes the incorporation of any material that
is not original with you without
attribution, whether from a book, article, web site, or fellow student, in any
paper or assignment. Assignments that include any plagiarism will receive a
zero and the offending student will be subject to additional action by the
College. Students engaging in repeated instances of plagiarism will fail the
course outright and will be remanded to the College for disciplinary action.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Lehman College is committed to providing access to all programs
and curricula to all students. Students with disabilities who may need
classroom accommodations are encouraged to register with the Office of Student
Disability Services.
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