CCIV236 - The Hellenistic Mediterranean: History, Society and Culture

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Academic Year 2003/2004

The Hellenistic Mediterranean: History, Society and Culture
CCIV 236 SP

Crosslistings:
HIST 243

The Hellenistic Mediterranean, from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 to the Roman sack of Carthage and Corinth in 146 B.C., witnessed dramatic changes in political organization, social norms, economic behavior and religious practices. We shall explore this dynamic and creative period of the ancient Mediterranean world through a close reading of literary and epigraphic primary sources (in translation) as well as secondary scholarship. Major topics will include: kingship; the rise of interstate agreements and organization; cities and civic identity; urbanization; the economy; mercenaries and pirates; warfare; acculturation and culture clash; Judaism and the Greek world; religion; Rome and the eastern Mediterranean.

MAJOR READINGS

M.M. Austin, THE HELLENISTIC WORLD FROM ALEXANDER TO THE ROMAN CONQUEST: A SELECTION OF ANCIENT SOURCES IN TRANSLATION (Cambridge, 1982)
Callixeinus, THE GRAND PROCESSION OF PTOLEMY PHILADELPHUS
Gruen, E., HERITAGE AND HELLENISM: THE REINVENTION OF JEWISH TRADITION (Berkeley, 1998)
MACCABEES I, II
Polybius, THE RISE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (selections)
G. Shipley, THE GREEK WORLD AFTER ALEXANDER: 323-30 B.C. (London, 2000)

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three papers, in-class presentations, no final exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Active, prepared participation in class discussions is mandatory. Some knowledge of Greek and/or Roman history and/or archaeology will be advantageous, but is not strictly required.

Please note that this course carries dual General Education designations. When you register for this course, it will be assigned a primary Gened credit of HA. If you choose to take the course for SBS Gened credit instead, you must make this change at the Registrar's Office during the drop/add period. NO CHANGE TO GENED DESIGNATION MAY BE MADE AFTER DROP/ADD ENDS.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA CLAS Grading Mode: Graded

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Mackil,Emily M

Times: ..T.R.. 10:30AM-11:50AM; Location: BTFDA413

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 19)

SR. major: 2 Jr. major: 2

SR. non-major: 5 Jr. non-major: 5 SO: 3 FR: 2

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Writing

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004