“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”

-Seneca

CLAS 1110: Tyranny, Democracy, Empire: Classical Cultures

Fall 2019 MW 9:30-10:45

TO FIND ANY READINGS VISIT HERE.

Instructor: Elizabeth Mellen

Boylan Hall 4137

Email: elizabethmellen@gmail.com

Office Phone: 718-951-5191

Office: 2408 Boylan Hall

Office Hours: TBD or by appointment

Required Texts

This is an OER (Online Educational Resources) class, which means that all readings will be available online in various digital formats. There is an OER webpage hosted by the Brooklyn College Library, which contains everything you need.

The easiest way to find the class page is simply to bookmark this link: http:classicalculturesbrooklyncollege.home.blog/. Here you can find the syllabus and the readings.

Resources

The syllabus, assignments, and other resources will be available on this class homepage under “readings.”

CLAS 1110 Classical Cultures

3 hours; 3 credits

Introductory study of ancient cultures through close reading of a variety of texts mainly focused on Greece and Rome, with some exploration of classical traditions found in India, Mesopotamia or China. Attention to such questions as literary genre, material and performance contexts, gender, political institutions, religion, philosophy, models of culture and the creation of a classical tradition. Practice in close reading and communication by means of critical writing, class discussion, and collaborative group work. (Not open to students who have completed Core Studies 1, 1.1, or 1.2.)  Prerequisite: None.

Core Curriculum goals addressed by this course

• To think critically and creatively, to reason logically, and to express one’s thoughts orally and in writing with clarity and precision.
• To understand the arts, histories and cultures of the past as a foundation for those of the present.
• To integrate knowledge from different sources.

Course objectives

• To use with accuracy and precision basic terms of literary analysis relevant to the texts read in class, and to describe differences among the literary genres represented by the class readings.
• To read literary texts critically.
• To identify traditions and practices specific to ancient cultures and describe how they help shape the texts produced within those cultures.
• To write interpretive prose which is clear and cogent.
• To make articulate contributions to classroom discussion of texts.

Letter Grade Equivalents:

A+ = 97-100	B+ = 97-98	C+ = 77-79	D+ = 67-69	F= Below 60
A = 93-96	B = 83-86	C = 73-76	D = 63-66
A- = 90-92	B- = 80-82	C- = 70-72	D- = 60-62

I. Reading questions will be assigned for the majority of classes and will be answered in class. These will be 3-4 short answer questions that aim to challenge you to comprehend and interpret the readings. Your answers should reflect a serious commitment to understanding the text.

Reading Questions should be handed in at the beginning of every class and will serve to record your attendance and allow me to assess your engagement with the reading outside of class. Reading Questions will be graded as follows: failure to submit RQ = no check; RQ partially completed or hastily completed = check minus; RQ completed in an average and acceptable manner = check; RQ completed with excellence = check plus. At the end of the semester, all Reading Questions will be compiled out of a possible 200 points. Students who submit all check pluses will receive 200 points; students who receive all checks will receive 140 points; students who receive all check minuses will receive 80 points. Two of the reading questions will earn you extra credit, 20 points for check pluses, 14 for checks and 8 for check minuses.  No late submissions will be accepted.

II. The midterm October 23 will test your knowledge of major background, figures, events and ideas as well as your ability to analyze and interpret texts. The format will be a mix of multiple choice, short answer, text analysis and essay. 

III. The final exam December 16th will cover material after the midterm and will be in the same format as the midterm.

IV-V. Two term papers are required, the first 3-4 pages, due October 9th, the second 4-5 pages, due December 8th. The papers should present soundly reasoned arguments for your thesis based on a close reading of the text. This is NOT a research paper, so you should ONLY consult the relevant texts used in this class. You will be assessed based on the soundness of your argument, appropriate use of evidence, and the clarity of your writing. Late term papers are subject to 10% downgrade for each class meeting they are overdue.

NOTE: In accordance with the policy of the Classics Department, all written essays for this class must be uploaded to SafeAssign via BlackBloard.  You will find information on how to use BB and SafeAssign here: https://help.blackboard.com/en-us/Learn/9.1_SP_10_and_SP_11/Student/060_Tests_and_Assignments/About_SafeAssign In person individual help is available in the library media center and the library cafe.Your paper will not be given a final grade until a SafeAssign report is generated.

VI. The group project will be developed over the course of the semester and should reflect your particular interests in the ancient texts. The group will receive a collective grade for the quality of the outcome.

VII. Participation: Be ready and willing to speak up in class.  Appropriate interactions include asking or answering questions, offering input, or analyzing assignments. It makes class engaging and fun! It helps you to pay attention and keeps up the morale. Please raise your hand and volunteer often.

Policy on Attendance:

Attendance is required. You are expected to be in the classroom promptly for each meeting. A functioning classroom requires the presence and engagement of all parties involved. If you miss more than 4 classes your grade will drop one full letter grade for each additional absence. If you miss more than 6 classes you will fail the course. If extreme circumstances prevent you from fulfilling these requirements and you have given me prior notice, certain accommodations will be considered.

Etiquette:

Please maintain respectful behavior both towards your instructor and towards your fellow students. Refrain from all use of cell phones in class. If you wish to use an iPad or laptop to take notes, do not allow it to become a distraction.

Student Writing Center:

In addition to coming to my office hours, I strongly encourage you to visit The Learning Center (1300 Boylan Hall) for help with your writing. Revision is important to the process of writing and outside criticism helps to expedite it.

Plagiarism and the Academic Integrity Policy:

This course is administered under the purview of CUNY’s policy on academic integrity. This includes plagiarism (copying, paraphrasing, or otherwise stealing another’s words without proper citation) and cheating of any kind (e.g., copying test or homework answers) that attempts to pass off another’s work as your own. Any violation of academic integrity will result in a failure (with a grade of zero) on the assignment in question, and will be reported to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. Brooklyn College’s policy on academic integrity is stated below:

“The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member MUST report the violation.”

For further information on your rights and responsibilities as a Brooklyn College student, please refer to CUNY’s policy on academic integrity at its on-line location: http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies.

Disability:

In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations students must first be registered with the Center for Student Disability Services. Students who have a documented disability or suspect they may have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Director of the Center for Student Disability Services at 718-951-5538. If you have already registered with the Center for Student Disability Services please provide your professor with the course accommodation form and discuss your specific accommodation with him/her.

Important Dates

Monday, September 2       Last day to add a course

Thursday, September 5     Last day to file for elective course Pass/Fail

Thursday, September 5      Conversion Day; Classes follow a Monday Schedule

Sunday, September 15      Last day to apply for Fall 2019 Graduation

Wednesday, October 16    Conversion Day: Classes follow a Monday Schedule

Tuesday November 5        Last day to withdraw with a “W” (non-penalty) grade

Tentative schedule of readings and assignments

FINAL EXAM: Monday 12/16 time TBD (same room)