In these creations of an alien culture that flourished 2,500 years ago students encounter the fundamental and enduring themes of the Western humanistic tradition, including the definition of human nature and its limitations, and the proper standards of public and private morality in a just and democratic society. The use of other translations and editions is permitted. It includes complete texts of Herodotus, Thucydides, Aeschylus and Sophocles, with maps and illustrations of sites and objects, and essential reference materials. Class will include lecture and discussion.
Regular attendance is required.
Attendance will be required at six of seven group discussion sessions scheduled through the term. Each student will write two short papers, no more than two typed pages in length, on specified characters encountered in the assigned reading. They will be graded equally for content and the quality of writing. Each student must submit a short research project at any time between November 22 and December 6. Early submissions are encouraged.