Weeks 1 & 2: Course Introduction
Monday, August 29th: Introduction
Before the start of class today, please:
- Read the Course Syllabus
Today’s Slides (including Community Standards notes)
Wednesday, August 31st: Athens in the Modern Imagination
Before the start of class today, please:
Wednesday, September 7th: Identity & History; Sources & Methods
Before the start of class today, please:
- Read Cartledge, “Athens” (from A Very Short Introduction to Ancient Greece)
- Complete the start of term survey (if you haven’t already)
- Set up your website profile and try commenting in the test discussion
- If you’d like to join the Penn Museum trip on Sept. 18th, sign up here
Part One: The Ancient Athenians
Week 3: Citizenship and Slavery
Monday, September 12th: Aristophanes’ Knights
- Set up your website profile (if you haven’t already)
- Read the Reading Guide for Aristophanes’ Knights
- Start reading Aristophanes’ Knights
Wednesday, September 14th: Aristophanes’ Knights
- Finish reading Knights
- Bring your text to class: if you have a device you can read it on (something larger than a phone), great!
- If not, consider printing it out. To save paper, in the Adobe Reader print settings, use these settings:
- Respond at least once before class to the Discussion Prompt
Week 4: Gender & Sexuality
Monday, September 19th: Aristophanes’ Lysistrata
- Read the Reading Guide for Aristophanes’ Lysistrata
- Start reading Aristophanes’ Lysistrata
- If you took pictures at the museum (of objects, classmates, or yourself!) and would like to share them with the class, we encourage you to post them to this jamboard!
Wednesday, September 21st: Aristophanes’ Lysistrata
- Finish reading Aristophanes’ Lysistrata
- suggested reading: “Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, The Liberian ‘Sex Strike’, and the Politics of Reception“
- Respond at least once before class to the Discussion Prompt
- Submit your ergon by 5:00pm today by emailing it to Prof. Shirazi and Prof. Farmer
Week 5: Athens on Trial I
Monday, September 26th: Plato’s Apology
- Before the start of class today, complete the Contribution Survey for weeks 3 and 4.
- Read the Reading Guide for Plato’s Apology
- If you have time, read the Introduction to our translation for fuller context
- Start reading Plato’s Apology
Wednesday, September 28th: Plato’s Apology
- Finish reading Plato’s Apology
- Respond at least once before class to the Discussion Prompt
- Please bring your text to class!
Week 6: Athens on Trial II
Monday, October 3rd: Aristophanes’ Clouds
- Read the Reading Guide for Aristophanes’ Clouds
- Start reading Aristophanes’ Clouds
Wednesday, October 5th: Aristophanes’ Clouds
- Finish reading Aristophanes’ Clouds
- Bring a printed or digital version of the text to class today!
- Submit your ergon by 5:00pm today by emailing it to Prof. Shirazi and Prof. Farmer
- Please submit your Contribution Survey for weeks 5-6 before you leave for fall break.
Fall Break: October 10th – 14th
Week 7: Reimagining Athens I
Monday, October 17th: Aristophanes’ Birds
- Read the Reading Guide for Aristophanes’ Birds
- Start reading Aristophanes’ Birds
- This is a slightly longer play than usual, so I suggest you start early!
Wednesday, October 19th: Aristophanes’ Birds
- Finish reading Aristophanes’ Birds
- Respond at least once before class to the discussion prompt
Week 8: Reimagining Athens II
Monday, October 24th: Plato’s Republic
- Start reading these selections from Plato’s Republic (featuring reading notes and questions)
Wednesday, October 26th: Plato’s Republic
- Finish reading these selections from Plato’s Republic (featuring reading notes and questions)
- Respond at least once before class to the discussion prompt
- Submit your ergon by 5:00pm today by emailing it to Prof. Shirazi and Prof. Farmer
Part Two: The Game
Week 9: Reacting to the Past
Monday, October 31st: Introduction to the Game
- Complete the Contribution Survey for weeks 7-8 before the start of class today
- Study the instructions for the game
- Read “How to React to the Past“
- Check your email for your partner and character assignments
- If you have time, take a look at the Partner Agreement we’ll complete in class today. Please don’t attempt to start it before class.
Wednesday, November 2nd: Public Speaking
Today, Prof. Nimisha Ladva (and a group of her students) will visit our class for a presentation on public speaking.
- Read Reacting Rules and Procedures
- Make sure you have submitted your Partner Agreement to receive credit for the Forum this week
Week 10: Factions and Reconciliation
Monday, November 7th: Faction Meetings
- If you’re in a Faction, re-read your role sheet’s Faction Advisory carefully
- If you’re not in a Faction, use your role sheet to determine which Factions might support your goals
Wednesday, November 9th: Reconciliation Agreement
Officers
- President: Aristogeiton (President’s Tablet)
- Herald: Thucydides
Topic: Reconciliation Agreement
- Should Athenians forget the “past wrongs” of the supporters of the Thirty?
- Should Athenians be prohibited from filing lawsuits against the supporters of the Thirty?
Work
- Before class today, comment on this week’s discussion forum
- Submit your ergon by 5:00pm today by emailing it to Prof. Shirazi and Prof. Farmer
- Note: If you are completing the “Formal Speech” ergon based on a speech you’re giving today, you may submit your ergon by 5:00pm Friday
Event: Classics Marathon!
- TONIGHT (11/9), VCAM Lounge
- 6:30-7:30: food and info session
- 7:30-10ish: collaborative reading of Euripides’ Medea
Week 11: Citizenship
Monday, November 14th: Expanding Citizenship
Officers
- President: Eryximachus (President’s Tablet)
- Herald: Euclides
Topic: Citizenship
- Should metics and worthy slaves be admitted and allowed to vote in the Pnyx?
- Should they be allowed to serve as jurors in the lawcourts?
Work
Wednesday, November 16th: Pay for Civic Service
Officers
- President: Lithicles (President’s Tablet)
- Herald: Lycon
Primary Topic: Pay for Civic Service
- Should Assemblymen and jurors be paid?
Secondary Topic: Foreign Relations
- Should an embassy be sent to Persia?
Work
- Before class today, comment on this week’s discussion forum
- If you did not already complete the participation survey for weeks 9-10, please do so ASAP
Alice Hours
Join Alice in Lutnick 202 from 7-8pm this evening for help with schemes, plots, and conspiracies, as well as advice on getting into character and delivering effective speeches!
Week 12: The Courtroom
Monday, November 21st: Trials
Officers
- Chief Archon: Kephisophon
- Assistant Archons: Theozotides, Aristarchus, Antaeus, Gorgias
If you wish to request a trial, you must contact an archon from outside your faction. Trials against Socrates may be requested by contacting the Chief Archon, Kephisophon.
Tuesday, November 22nd: Alice Hours
Join Alice in Lutnick 202 from 7-8pm this evening for help with schemes, plots, and conspiracies, as well as advice on getting into character and delivering effective speeches!
Wednesday, November 23rd: No Class
Work
- Submit your ergon by 5:00pm today by emailing it to Prof. Shirazi and Prof. Farmer
- No Discussion Forum this week – everyone receives a free forum credit as a holiday treat!
- Complete the Contribution Survey for weeks 11-12 whenever you’re ready
Week 13: The Future of Democracy
Monday, November 28th: Oligarchy and Education
Officers
- President: Aristocles (President’s Tablet)
- Herald: Thrasybulus
Primary Topic: Oligarchy
- Should laws and major decisions be made by the Assembly, or by a governing council?
- If the latter, how should the members of the council be chosen?
Secondary Topic: Education
- Athens passed a law creating a public education system, as well as awarding citizenship to those who are educated. The Assembly welcomes laws that will establish the details of this new system.
Work:
Wednesday, November 30th: Restoration of the Empire
Officers
- President: Simon (President’s Tablet)
- Herald: Herodion
Topic: Remilitarization/Restoration of the Athenian Empire
- Should Athens rebuild its fleet, recommence tribute collection, and reconstitute its empire?
Week 14: Conclusions
Monday, December 5th: Reflecting on the Game
- Please post to the Discussion Forum BEFORE CLASS TODAY
- If you have time, read this brief summary of what actually happened in ancient Athens during the events of the Game
Wednesday, December 7th: Final Conversation
- Submit your ergon by 5:00pm today by emailing it to Prof. Shirazi and Prof. Farmer
- Complete the Contribution Survey for weeks 13-14 before 5:00pm on Friday
- Complete the Course Survey to provide anonymous feedback that will help us improve this course for future students!
Finals: December 12th – 16th
Friday, December 16th: Final Reflection
- Submit your final reflection to Prof. Shirazi and Prof. Farmer by noon today.
- If you haven’t already, please complete the Course Survey to provide anonymous feedback that will help us improve this course for future students!
