Overview

Art and Archaeology of Greece is led by Professors Rebecca Kennedy (kennedyr@denison.edu) and Max Goldman (goldmanm@denison.edu), who also lead the Art and Archaeology of Rome course. We look forward to sharing of experiences, knowledge, and love of Greece with Denison students.

What do we study?

This survey course will cover the history, archaeology, and art of ancient Greece through investigation of significant sites, monuments, and museum collections in Attica, the Peloponnese, Delphi, Corinth, and the island of Aegina. We study monumental and domestic architecture, sculpture, pottery, coins, epigraphic evidence, as well as maps and ancient sources. Students also get to explore the modern cities and villages and consider what it’s like to live in the shadow of the ancient past. (2 credits)

Course Texts

J. Hanink (2017) The Classical Debt. Belknap Press (required; available at Amazon; hardback or kindle)

Greece: An Oxford Archaeological Guide (optional; available at Amazon; paperback only)

Other readings and videos/podcasts will be provided through Google Drive. A hardcopy course packet is also provided with maps and reconstructions of our various sites (and some modern Greek lessons!).

Course Goals

This course has three specific aims:

To provide an introductory knowledge of the topography, history, daily life, and material remains of ancient Greece.
To improve the ability to see and experience space, and, particularly, to be able to describe those experiences in a meaningful way.
To engage with the process and problems surrounding discovering, preserving, and presenting the material legacy of the past.

Upon completion of the course students should be able:

to locate important monuments visited on a map of modern Greece.
to identify basic architectural styles and building materials used by the Greeks.
to talk meaningfully about the ancient material remains in terms of what they see and know about Greek history, daily life, and culture.
to explain issues that involve the preservation and presentation of ancient material

Assessments

1. Class attendance and participation are expected and mandatory for all classes and events. Unexcused absence will lead to failure for the course; poor participation will negatively affect overall grade.

2. Class Group Google Photo Album: Every day, students will upload a minimum of 3 photos that represent their activities for the day--this can include site and museum visits and free time activities. At least 1 photo should include an image of yourself (and classmates). (10%)

3. Site Reports: Each students will be responsible for presenting information to the class on two sites using sections from our guidebook and other resources. (15% each/30%)

4. A personal, ‘visual’ journal maintained throughout the class in order to improve your ability to see (drawing skill is irrelevant). C level work would include one daily sketch with brief written description of the object or place in question with analysis of what your “slow” looking revealed. The work is evaluated on how you talk about what you saw and drew. Journals should also include review of days’ activities and daily lecture notes if desired. The goal of these assignments are to help students learn the art of close looking, of analysis, of contextualization, and reflection. (30%)

5. An online blog/journal entry. Small groups will be responsible for documenting the full day, including travel, sites, notable events, ideas, etc. This will contribute to a shared, full “course history” of the entire experience. Emphasis of these assignments to to get students to reflect upon the daily activities and synthesize those experiences in a meaningful way that reflects an understanding of the course goals. (20%)

6. A reflection video (made using iMovie or similar) that narrates what you learned (defined broadly) on the trip and is illustrated using photos/videos from your trip and music to set the mood. Video should be about 3 minutes and is not due until the beginning of the Fall semester. (10%)