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GUIDELINES FOR THE SITE REPORT
GOAL: This assignment requires you to research a Greek site, monument, topic, or figure, using a variety of primary and secondary sources. Each report will integrate the report topic with the theme of “The Perpetual Palimpsest and Cultural Identity,” as appropriate. The assignment will also strengthen your communication skills.
STEP 1: GATHER BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESOURCES
You must include a minimum of 5 scholarly sources and 2 primary sources for a total of 7 sources for your report (you may always include more than the minimum).
NOT Scholarly Sources: Magazine articles (e.g. Time), News articles (e.g. Washington Post), Online Encyclopedias (e.g. Wikipedia), unpublished Academia.edu papers, or personal online blogs. NOTE: Some “modern” report topics may make use of sources such as magazine and newspaper articles, and interviews. Consult with the professors to confirm whether any of these may be considered “scholarly.”
Scholarly Sources: Journal articles in print or electronic copy (e.g. articles from Jstor.org), Books (esp. those published by university presses), official website of a research project (e.g. Excavations at the Athenian Agora: https://www.ascsa.edu.gr/excavations/athenian-agora .
See this link for tips on determining whether your source is “scholarly”: https://www.library.illinois.edu/ugl/howdoi/scholarly/
Primary sources are "documents, images or artifacts that provide firsthand testimony or direct evidence concerning an historical topic under research investigation.”
Examples: Primary Source: Herodotus’ Histories (written in the 5th century BCE) by Herodotus of Halicarnassus. Secondary Source: A book or article about Herodotus’ Histories.
Schedule a meeting with the professors, who will help you find bibliography for your topic.
Due Dates:
APRIL 10. Bring a list of 3 sources and 5 important facts about your topic with you to our third pre-trip meeting (10 April 2025).
APRIL 17. Bring a first DRAFT of you site report handout. [Students will bring 21 copies of their final (approved) handouts to distribute in Greece.]
April 24. Bring a final DRAFT of your site report handout.
What is an “important fact? Think in “big picture” terms. What had the biggest impact on culture, history, art, politics, religion, economics, and the history of ideas? Ask yourself these questions!
You may use MLA, APA, or Chicago-style format (see below).
o Citation Styles—Chose one and stick with it:
§ APA Style (website of the American Psychological Association)
§ MLA FAQ (website of Modern Language Association)
§ Chicago Manual of Style Online
Places to start:
Interlibrary Loan (http://libraries.uark.edu/ill/default.asp)
Please consult Dr. Levine and Yiorgos! We are here to help!
STEP 2: PREPARE YOUR PRESENTATION
Your presentation should be prepared BEFORE DEPARTURE. You will not have access to a library or much free time to work on your report once we leave for Greece. BRING 22 COPIES OF YOUR SITE REPORT HANDOUT WITH YOU.
Required length: 15 – 20 minutes
15-20 minutes is not a lot of time. Remember Cicero’s words: selection and invention: i.e. what you select and how you choose to present it is key – you will not be able to cover everything—do not try. But generally speaking, you should plan to include the following:
Brief introduction/overview: name of site, why we should care about it, and what you plan to cover in your presentation.
Lay the Foundation:
Things to consider including: historical development of site/monument; function of site; architectural or stylistic details; important historical events and figures associated with site/monument/topic; socio-historical importance – how did the site/monument/topic impact social, political, religious, or economic institutions; how does the site/monument/topic relate to larger scholarly debates, political and/or social issues in the past and today; what does the site/monument/topic reflect/reveal about Greek culture?
Tips on Presentation Style:
Hold and refer to your notes, but do not read them.
Speak clearly, distinctly, and if necessary, loudly.
Do not race through your report; let us savor your words.
Incorporate your site/monument/surroundings into your talk! For instance, if you are talking about a particular object, POINT IT OUT FOR US!
Reference your handout! Draw our attention to the maps, figures, and key terms. The handout is a tool for you to help clarify your arguments and information. Why make it, if you don’t use it?
It is okay to be nervous but try to relax! For those of you who are not as comfortable speaking in front of a group, practice your presentation beforehand in front of your friends.
Vocabulary: Feel free to use technical terms, foreign names and terms, but be sure that you have checked on the proper pronunciation. ASK US FOR HELP. You will be much more confident as a result.
Practice your report so that it falls within the time limit (15-20 minutes).
Tips on Being an Audience Member
Please be a gracious classmate and audience member! Remember that you’ll be presenting too; it’s easier when your audience is engaged & receptive.
Try to stay awake, attentive, and enthusiastic during other students’ presentations.
Your feedback and questions are valued!
STEP 3: CREATING A HANDOUT
Length: 1 page, front and back. Do not go longer!
HANDOUT Due Dates:
Bring a first draft of your handout to our fourth pre-trip meeting (17 April). We will return your handouts with comments for improvement by the fifth pre-trip meeting.
Final Draft due on April 24. If we have comments, we will let you know if you need to make revisions before you print the final draft to take with you.
STUDENTS WILL BRING 22 COPIES OF THEIR FINAL SITE REPORT HANDOUT WITH THEM, TO DISTRIBUTE WHEN THEY PRESENT THEIR WORK IN GREECE.
What to Include:
A ground plan/map of the site and relevant information, such as dates, technical terms, important names, etc. You may also want to include an outline of your presentation, images of paintings or sculpture that you may be discussing, charts, inscriptions, quotes from historical texts talking about your site, etc. If you have questions about what to include, PLEASE ask the professors.
Bibliography of the four (4) most useful/informative scholarly sources for your topic.
SOME SAMPLE SITE REPORT HANDOUTS ARE BELOW:
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