This course introduces the student to the world and religious practices of the ancient Greeks. Much of the material used in the course comes from the ancient Greeks themselves: poets, playwrights, historians and mythographers. Perspectives on the cosmos (universe), polis (city and its society), psyche (self) and theos (gods) will be explored, in addition to rituals, narratives and festivals which seemed fundamental to the construction of religious identity. It is hoped that the student will encounter a very different set of assumptions and values concerning religion in this course (considering we will explore polytheistic religious systems that possess no scripture or doctrine while advocating an astonishing number of rituals). We shall mix literary and historical analysis with the most recent work in archeology to paint as detailed a portrait as possible.

This course has been designed as a reading intensive engagement. A large percentage of your final grade rests on responding to the readings through the weekly discussion board question, essay questions and classroom discussion. Please stay current on course readings and online participation. Feel free to read in advance.

This course shall also introduce the student to the Persesus Project, an impressive on-line detailed searchable library of texts, translations, art, and archaeology of Ancient Greece and Rome.

[http://www.perseus.tufts.edu]

Much of the supplemental reading will be found through this resource, as will be photographs of many of the archeological sites we shall explore.

Required Reading

Theogony Hesiod
Greek Religion Burkert, J. and Raffin, J.
Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion Harrison, J.E.
The Iliad, Homer (Fagles, R. , translator)
The Odyssey, Homer (Fagles, R., translator)
Dance and Ritual Play in Greek Religion, Steven H. Lonsdale
Religion in the Ancient Greek City, Zaidman, L.B et al.
Euripides: The Complete Greek Tragedies (I), Euripides
Agamemnon, Aeschylus (free online)
Oresteia, Aeschylus (free online)
Oedipus the King, Sophocles (free online)
Electra, Sophocles (free online)
The Bacchae, Euripdides (free online)
The Homeric Hymns, Jules Cashford, ed.
Girls and Women in Classical Greek Religion, Matthew Dillon

Recommended Reading
Apuleius, The Golden Ass
Green, Ancient Greece: An Illustrated History
Guthrie, The Greek and Their Gods
Rice and Stambaugh, Sources for the Study of Greek Religion
Starr, The Ancient Greeks
Athanasakis, The Homeric Hymns
Bolton, Aristeas of Proconnesus
Chadwick, The Mycenaean World
Kallimachos, Hymn to Zeus
Parke, The Delphic Oracle
Sargent, The Homeric Hymns
The Greek Myths (I) Graves, Robert
The Greek Myths (II) Graves, Robert

Course Requirements

1. Each student shall respond to the weekly essay question provided at the beginning of class on Monday. This essay shall be graded for content and composition (please use the Writer's Cheat Sheet. Each response should reflect course readings and discussions. You may use all scholastic materials at your disposal in writing your response. Papers due no later than the beginning of class on Friday. Please send your essay via email as a Word attachment. Use proper citation. You may use either MLA or Chicago style. Do not mix styles nor create one of your own. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. 12 ESSAYS REQUIRED. EACH ESSAY WORTH 50 POINTS. 600 POINTS POSSIBLE
   
   
2. Each student will take a mid term examination on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14. Examination will consist of Fill-in-the-Blank, Identification of Terms/Concepts and short answer essay. Test will cover readings and class lectures/discussion. There will be no study guide provided; instead, take copious notes and participate in class. 500 POINTS POSSIBLE.
   
   
3. Each student shall compose a 10-12 page research paper that documents a specific area of interest in Ancient Greek Religion. Your research should begin no later than January 28. This paper will be used as the basis for a 15 minute in-class presentation during the last week of class. 600 POINTS POSSIBLE and awarded in stages (see chart below). All work due at the beginning of class; late work will simply not be accepted. Please submit all work via email as an attached Word document.
   
   
   

   What is Due?	Date Due	Percentage of Grade
   Final Day to Select Topic	Jan. 26	10%
   Complete Bibliography	Feb. 23	15%
   Sentence Outline	Mar. 14	20%
   Rough Draft	Apr. 4	25%
   Final Draft	Apr. 13	15%
   15 Minute Oral Presentations start	Apr. 13	15%

   
   
   
4. As a final examination, students in teams of 3-4 persons will design (based on extensive research) and execute a ritual from Ancient Greek Religion. Think props, costumes, settings, memorized scripts. This production should be well researched, well planned and well rehearsed. This final exam will be worth 200 points. Of course you should find Lonsdale and other texts quite helpful.

Class Policies

1. Class attendance is an obligation, not an option, for every student.
   
   
2. After three non-excused absences, the student's FINAL LETTER GRADE will be dropped by ten points for each additional absence. For instance, if you made 100 A for the final grade, but missed five class periods, your final grade would be 80. If you made an 80 for a final grade and missed four classes, your final grade would be a 70-C.
   
   
3. What constitutes an excused absence?
   1. Death in immediate family (will need to see obituary with your name listed in it or a copy of a death certificate)
   2. Medical emergency (a verifiable excuse written by your attending physician, with contact information)
   3. Athletic Commitment (if notified by a Centenary Coach in advance)
   4. Just tired? Hung over? Tummy ache? Too bad. Life's rough.
      
      
4. Please schedule conferences to discuss work, problems, ideas or anything at all. I maintain an "open door" policy: if my door is open and you see a vacant chair, come on in. Of course, you can schedule an appointment as well.
   
   
5. The syllabus can change at my discretion. Videos, readings and/or guest speakers may also be added. Changes will be made to the online syllabus. For instance, we will have faculty candidates on campus this semester who may teach a class session.
   
   
6. Extra credit does not exist in the course. Make use of the credit available.
   
   
7. "Trying hard" is usually necessary, but not sufficient, to create good work. In short, I do not base a grade on "effort" but on the finished product.
   
   
8. Scholastic Dishonesty & the Honor Court. As a student at Centenary College you agree to adhere to the Centenary Honor Code. I will carefully explain the nature of plagiarism the first day of class and, for each assignment, explain what is and is not permissible in terms of collaboration. If you have any questions, please ask rather than risk a problem. Also, I would advise you to retain all note cards, drafts, final papers etc. for each assignment in your writing record in case asked to prove your case. As explained in the Student Handbook, every assignment you submit must have the following statement written in your own handwriting accompanied by your signature: "I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this paper (or examination), nor have I seen anyone else do so." If you have received unauthorized aid or witnessed an honor code violation, you must follow the statement with: "...except as I shall report immediately to the Honor Court." Please understand that I cannot grade any assignment lacking this honor code statement.
   
   
9. Disability Accommodation. It is the policy of Centenary College to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal law, state law, and the College's commitment to equal educational opportunities. Any student who has a disability and needs accommodations, should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. Students with disabilities need to contact Disability Services (a division of Counseling Services), which is located in the ground floor of Rotary Hall to obtain services. The phone numbers for Counseling Services are 869-5466 and 869-5424. Please let me know if you have any disability that requires accommodation. I will work with you to ensure your needs are met. Students with disabilities should also contact Disability Services (a division of Counseling Services), which is located in the ground floor of Rotary Hall to obtain services. Telephone 318-869-5466/5424.
   
   
10. Please turn off all cell phones upon entering class. If your phone rings once in the semester, you will simply be reminded of our policy. If it rings a second time, you will be asked not to bring it back to this space. You may not leave class to answer a call; doing so will count as one of your allotted absences. Laptops may be used in class for the explicit purpose of taking notes. If you are caught surfing the Internet without permission (or playing games or checking Facebook) you will not be allowed to bring the laptop to class for the remainder of the course. Smart phones shall not be used any time during the class. During exam periods, all electronic devices must be shut down and stored away.
    
    
11. Yes, I am aware of the amount of reading for this course. Sadly, the topic of our investigation requires us to engage the subject with due diligence. Keep up with the readings and take notes.

Class Schedule