Introduction to Humanities, Fall 2008

 

Assignment #2

 

(Due no later than Thursday, September 11th)

 

Reading Assignment:

 

Chapter 2: Aegean Civilizations, pages 35-60

Chapter 3: Classical Greek Civilization, pages 63-74 (through Theater: Tragedy)

 

Knowledge Points and Class Preparation:

 

Learn the Òkey cultural termsÓ at the end of the chapter.

 

á       Describe the unique features of Minoan, Mycenaean, and Archaic Greek politics, religion, art, architecture and literature.

á       Identify the key polis of Greece.

á       Name the three Archaic Greek philosophers and describe their philosophies.

á       Know the difference between the Olympic and Chthonian deities.

á       Describe the influence of Homer and Sappho and describe the difference between Epic and Lyric Poetry.

á       Describe the elements of Greek temples.

á       Recognize the difference between Archaic Greek art and Classicism.

á       Identify the key elements of Greek Tragedy and the key works of the three tragedians described in the test.

 

Assignment Details:

 

Prepare for me a proposal for the paper due September 23rd that concentrates on a topic or issue from Chapters 1-4 that has caught your attention. For example, you may wish to write about the role of women in these civilizations; the evolution of philosophy (or architecture, sculpture, literature, tools, etc.); how the political climate shaped the religious; and so forth. You may also expand on your answer for Assignment #1 to include the Greeks. Choose a topic you can cover in at least 3 to 7 pages. You may see me during office hours or by appointment if you need help getting an idea pinned down. Once approved, this will be the topic of your first paper.

 

E-mail your proposal to me at priscilla@mythicthinking.org no later than 5pm on September 11th, or turn in a typed version in class before September 11th. Your proposal must include:

á       a sample thesis statement,

á       an explanation of why you consider your argument important to the study of Humanities,

You do not need to include an actual outline or research information at this time. We will go over specific paper information in class.

 

Point value: 15 points; graded on completion of assignment