ANCIENT GREEK ART
Spring 2008

COURSE REQUIREMENTS & LIST OF TOPICS

Honor Code

Professor: John W. Myers, Associate Professor

Office Phone:  910-962-7962  (only during office hours).  I may also be reached at home (see number below).

Office:  Cultural Arts Building (CA 2010)

Home Phone:  910-395-5190 (NOT AFTER 9:00 PM, PLEASE)

Office Hours:   TUES AND THURS. 10:45-11:30 am, or by appointment. If you wish an appointment, please see me before or after class.  

Email address:  (myersj@uncwil.edu)  [on campus just: (myersj) will get you there].  I encourage you to communicate via E-Mail. I check my mail several times daily. You may get a quicker answer to your questions this way.

~UNIVERSITY STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS~

~DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION~

~ COURSE FORMAT~

A study of Ancient Greek art in a historical and cultural context to provide the student with an understanding of the interrelationship of art and culture in the ancient Greek world.

A combination of lecture and discussion combined with readings in art, architecture, and ancient Greek literature. Your questions and participation in discussion, which require regular attendance at the lectures, are essential to the success of the course. Although not strictly in a seminar format, both interaction between professor and student, and student generated discussion are important.

1. Attendance

Lecture attendance is mandatory because of the visual nature of much of the course, and the fact that class discussion may be part of any particular meeting. You may miss up two lectures during the semester without penalty. Those two absences are best saved for times of illness, emergency, or other legitimate reasons which may be discussed with me. Whenever possible, any absence should be discussed in advance with me. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. You are strongly encouraged to arrive promptly for the start of class. Consistent tardiness may translate into one or more full absences.

Three percentage points per unresolved absence [beyond those allowed] will be deducted from the final grade (e.g.: If the final grade is 86% and there are three unexcused absences, the percentage will be adjusted downward to 77%).

2. Written Assignments

A series of three (3) summaries or "Abstracts" to be chosen in consultation with the professor. Guidelines on a separate handout. [75 points]

3. Midterm Exam

An exam consisting of identification of works of art, objective questions, and essays testing the material of the first half of the semester [100 points]

4. Archaeological Research Project (with written explanation) [100 points]

An exhibition on some aspect of Ancient Greek art to be chosen in consultation with the professor.  Details are outlined in the section on "Assignments."

Grading Summary

                                                        Point Value                                    Percentage of Total Grade

Class Attendance 0-?                                                                                     Percentage points deducted from final average
Written Assignments (25 per)                    75                                                 27.2 %
Midterm Examination                               100                                                36.4 %
Archaeological Project                             100                                                36.4 %

Total Points                                              275                                                100 %

CALENDAR OF TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS

DATE

TOPIC

ASSIGNMENT

SPRING BREAK

The High Classical Period I

The Hellenistic Period II

Final Exam : Tuesday, May 6, 8:00-11:00 AM, CA 2030

(Project Presentation)

 WRITING ABSTRACTS

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT

Now it is time to present your findings to an august body of your peers in the Society of Archaeologists for an Understanding of Pre-Apocalyptic Culture. To prepare for your presentation, your task includes the following steps:

1. Choose a site, an object or group of related objects such as a building, complex,  common object(s) with which you are familiar, but which might be interpreted differently by a scholar of the 3rd millenium.  The idea is to be inventive with your explanation of the purpose or function of your artifact, but make it archaeologically plausible. It will be hard for your actual audience (the class) to take any interpretation seriously which differs from the actual use of the object they have known all of their lives, but it is your job to be serious and convincing. (For inspiration see: David MacCaulay, The Motel of Mysteries [NC1429.M15 A4 1978] or Great Moments in Architecture[PN6231.C46 M3], on reserve in Randall Library ). Hint: By the time you are ready to do this, you will have some knowledge of proper archaeological terminology and process to help you make your case.

 2. Produce a ground plan, elevation, reconstruction, model of the "ruined" structure or object(s) and write a two-three page (typewritten) description which explains your theory of its original use in pre-apocalyptic U.S. culture.  Ultimately, you will show your project and present your findings to the class. You may do this by reading your paper or using notes.

Everyone will have at least one conference with me to get started and to answer any questions, but, as the foremost scholar in the field, I will be your resource throughout the semester whenever you need to consult.

3. Order of presentation will be determined by drawing time from a hat.  The length of the presentation is five (5) minutes.   After your presentation, you will turn in your project and the typed description.

[100 points]

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