Ancient History / Western Civilization
2014 Syllabus

Part 1: Mythology, gods & stories

1. (sep 4) Class introduction - socratic method - socratic discussions - assignments
   
   • handout syllabus, reading packet
   • read “Virtue begets Freedom”
   • read Mythology, part 1 and 2 (god & stories)
2. (sep 18) Notetaking. keyword outline, Write like an author
   • Notetaking templates
   • Assignment: writing process assignment on greek god or hero - outline due next week
   • read Mythology part 3 (great heros)
3. (sep 25) Early Greek history, Trojan war (Trevor?)
   • timeline/history overview, why study history?
   • assignment: outline due
   • read Bradbury story (the day it rained forever) for next week
   • read Mythology part 4 (trojan war)
4. (oct 2) Poetry vs Prose
   • discuss bradbury story, symbolism, poetic devices
   • assignment: write rough draft, using poetical devices
   • read Mythology part 5 & 6 (atreus, thebes, athens, midas) (finish)
5. (Oct 9) Read like a Lawyer - read Plutarch (Solon or Theseus) together, lookup words, places, references
   • look at recent law (http://www.le.state.ut.us/Documents/bills.htm)
   • Mythology colloquium
   • assignment: draft due
   • read Theseus (Solon optional)
   • other side of reading like an author: skimming read about (skim) athenian democracy for next week

Part 2: Plutarch - Greek History

1. (Oct 16) Speak like a statesman
   • impact audience, know/feel/do, thesis/conclusion or attention getter
   • assignment: write final paper (thesis, conclusion, formatting, references)
   • discuss Theseus
   • discuss athenian democracy, democracy vs republic, etc
   • read Lycurgus
2. (Oct 23)
   • final paper due
   • discuss Lycurgus, Sparta, (Thermopolis)
   • is virtue possible in such a society?
   • Read Artistides, Themistocles
3. (Oct 30) Persian Wars
   • Aristides, Themistocles (persian wars)
   • good vs expedient
   • read Pericles, Alcibiades
   • read Pericles funeral oration
4. (Nov 6)
   • Pericles, Alcibiades (golden age, pelopponesian wars)
   • compare Pericles Funeral Oration, Gettysberg Address
   • pride overcoming democracy>
   • read Dion, Timoleon
5. (Nov 13) "Let no one ignorant of Geometry enter here" (Archimedes)
   • calculate like an entrepreneur
   • Dion, Timoleon (aid to Syracuse Greeks)
   • read: Charmides or temperance

Part 3: Philosophy

1. (Nov 20) Think like a Philosopher
   • Metaphysics, Epistemology
   • discuss: Charmides
   • read: Laches or courage
   • read: (my dialog)
      
2. (Dec 4)
   • Ethics, Morality
   • discuss: Laches
   • assignment: dialog writing assignment
   • read Euthyphro or piety
3. (Dec 11)
   • Political Philosophy
   • discuss Euthyphro (what is piety?)
   • read: Apology
4. (Dec 18)
   • due: dialog writing assignment
   • discuss Apology
   • inspired men in all nations
   • read: Crito & Phaedo
5. (jan 8)
   • discuss: Phaedo & Crito
   • afterlife & beforelife

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