THIS IS A SAMPLE SYLLABUS FROM THE SPRING 2007 SEMESTER.
THE SYLLABUS FOR ANOTHER SEMESTER MAY BE DIFFERENT.

 

ARCH 340: CITIES OF THE PAST

 

The Evolution of Cities in Ancient Mesopotamia, Greece and Italy

 

 

Spring 2007                                         Tues/Thurs 1:00-2:15                           FA 018

Instructor: Prof. Marilyn Goldberg                                                                     Office: FA 454

Tel: 410-455-2970                               E-mail: goldberg@umbc.edu

Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 2:30-3:30 or by appointment

 

 

Description: An introduction to significant developments in the construction, planning and social structure of ancient cities in Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq and eastern Syria), Greece and Italy.  We will explore the physical environment and excavated remains of such well known cities as Ur and Uruk, Athens, Pompeii and Rome.  We will also evaluate the ancient written sources we use to reconstruct urban life.  We will consider the following topics: the origins and development of cities; the city as a political, economic, social and religious center; centralization and specialization of city functions; the way city dwellers lived their lives.

 

Methods and Goals: This course will combine short lectures with group discussions that will be based on the assigned readings.   We will concentrate on distinguishing the main characteristics of the cities in each geographical area and the development of cities through time in each area. 

 

A detailed list of the learning goals of the course will be handed out in the second class period after class members have time to voice their own goals in the first class meeting.  Broadly speaking, however, the goals of the class are (1) to learn to identify the main characteristics of each of the cities discussed and the general characteristics particular to each culture, (2) to be able to analyze the material remains for information about the society that lived in each city, (3) to synthesize scholarly material for important data, and (4) to write analytically on aspects of ancient city life.

 

Required Work: Core reading assignments are given from the three required textbooks.  Each student must be able to discuss in class the material from the assigned readings.

 

You are expected to do three hours of studying and preparation outside of class for EACH class period.

 

In the bookstore and on Amazon.com (perhaps):

Charles Gates, Ancient Cites (New York: Routledge 2003).

Richard Tomlinson, From Mycenae to Constantine (New York: Routledge 1992).

E. J. Owens, The City in the Greek and Roman World (New York: Routledge 1991).

 

Plans and maps of cities are on E-Reserves (username = arch340; password = digdeeper).

Optional (and lots of fun): Peter Connolly and Hazel Dodge, The Ancient City (Oxford: Oxford University 1998) .

 

Required listserve, arch340: Every class member is required to subscribe to arch340. 

Required assignments will be conveyed by me on this listserve.  It is also a place for you to get help from your fellow students.

https://lists.umbc.edu/lists/subscribe/arch340

 

Prerequisites: at least one of the following: any ARCH course, ANTH 211, HIST 453, 455, or 456.

 

Class attendance: Required.  For your final grade, 10% is based on class participation.  You are expected to pay full attention during class and not multi-task.

 

Academic Integrity: By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBC’s scholarly community in which everyone’s work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty.  Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty and they are wrong.  Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal.  To read the full Student Academic Conduct Policy, consult myUMBC.

 

If you are having trouble in the class, GET HELP EARLY, by the end of the 2nd week or the beginning of the 3rd week of class.

            Come to seem me (goldberg@umbc.edu; 410-455-2970).

            Classmates can provide help; study groups have proven to improve success in class.

            For help with writing, the Writing Center.

            Very good skills workshops (e.g., time management, procrastination, test anxiety) at the                                     University  Counseling Center (www.umbc.edu/counseling).

            Learning Resource Center.

 

Grading:

            Quizzes                                    15%

            Homework                               20%

                        10% for handing in a serious attempt at homework, on time;     

                        10% for Homework Portfolio, to be handed in on last day of class.

            Participation                             10%     (including class attendance)

            Exams (each 10%)                   30%

            Short Paper (ca. 2 pp.)             5%

            Research Paper (6-8 pp.)         20%

 

All homework assignments are due in class on the day for which they are assigned.

 

There are no make-up quizzes, but you may drop your lowest quiz grade.

 

The only excuse for late exams, homework assignments, or papers is a note from a health professional or a verifiable family emergency.

 

If you will be absent, let me know ahead of class, if it is at all possible.

 

 

Extra credit: Written summaries of scholarly lectures, films, TV shows, plays or museum exhibits on any aspect of  the history of the ancient Mediterranean basin or the Near East.  If your final grade is computed to be an 89, for example, and you have handed in 4 extra credit reports, your grade will be raised to a 90; 6 extra credit summaries will raise an 88, for example, to a 90.

 

 

Proposed Schedule

 

 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS, INCLUDING WRITTEN HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS, ARE DUE IN CLASS ON THE DAY INDICATED ON THE SCHEDULE. 

 

Make a copy of each written, homework assignment, so that you can use one in class and hand the other.  Note that written, homework assignments may be given via the class listserve, arch340.

 

­­­­­­­­­­­

Jan. 30             Introduction to Cities of the Past.  What is a city and what is our evidence?

                        Formulation of Learning Goals.

 

Feb. 1              Learning about how we learn about cities; learning goals.

                        Read Gates 1 – 10. 

                        Written Assignment: In addition to Childs’ 10 criteria, what others does Gate                             discuss?

                        Paper 1 topics assigned.

 

UNIT I             MESOPOTAMIAN CITIES

                        Good Website: www.cdli.ucla.edu/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

 

Feb. 6              Uruk (Late Uruk Period, Early Dynastic Period)

                        Read Gates 29 – 41

                        Written Assignment:  1) List 5 characteristics that pertain to all early Sumerian                                        cities; 2) List 5 characteristics that describe both temples areas at Uruk.

                        Quiz on syllabus and written assignment.

 

Feb. 8              Uruk, Habuba Kabira, and Khafajeh

                        Read Gates 29 – 45.

                        Written Assignment: 1) List 5 examples of evidence from Habuba Kabira that                            give us information about cities that is missing from Uruk.  2) In what ways is the                                   Temple Oval at Khafajeh similar to the temples at Uruk and in what ways is it                               different?  3) What types of artifacts have been used to explain the role of religion                  in early Sumerian cities and what do they tell us?

                        Trial quiz

 

Feb. 13            Kingship and Sumerian cities – The Vulture Stele, Royal Tombs at Ur and Kish

                        Read Gates 40 – 41, 46 – 51.

                        Quiz on Sumerian cities.  (Cont. on next page)

                        Written Assignment: 1) What do we know about the political/governmental,                                           economic, social and religious systems of Early Dynastic Ur and Uruk?

                                    2) What is the evidence you used to support your statements?

                        Choose paper partners.                       

 

Feb. 14            Photographs of the Athenian Akropolis, museum exhibit, UMBC Library Gallery

                        Lecture, Dr. Katherine A. Schwab. 4 pm. Library Gallery

                        The Glory of Ruins, museum exhibit, UMBC Library Rotunda

 

Feb. 15            Lagash and Ur of the Neo-Sumerian Revival (Ur III)

                        Read Gates 52 – 60.

                        Henceforth written Assignments will be given via arch340.

                        Paper partners exchange first drafts, with one copy to Dr. Goldberg.

 

Feb. 20            Non-elites at Ur

                        Read Gates 59 – 60.

                        Quiz on Neo-Sumerian cities.

                        Paper partners return first drafts.

 

Feb. 22            Old Babylonian Babylon and Mari

                        Read Gates 61 – 66

 

Feb. 27            Neo-Babylonian Babylon

                        Read Gates 167 – 169, 180 – 186.

                        Final draft of paper due.

 

Mar 1               EXAM 1

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UNIT II           GREEK CITIES

 

Mar. 6              Introduction to Greek Cities. 

                        Read Tomlinson 1 – 2; Owens 1 – 5 (2nd full paragr.).

                        Class discussion on Paper 2 topics.

 

Mar. 8              Early Greek City Planning

                        Read Owens 30 – 35; 37 – 50.

 

Mar. 13            Athens in the Archaic Period

                        Read Gates 216 - 226; Tomlinson, 45 – 50.

                        Quiz on early Greek cities.

                        Paper topic assignment due.

 

Mar. 15            Classical Athens: Akropolis and Agora

                        Read Gates 245 – 258.

 

SPRING BREAK

 

Mar. 27            Athens: Agora and Housing

                        Read Tomlinson 51 – 55, 59 – 61; Owens 19 – 21; Gates 254 – 258.

                        Paper groups meet in class; choose writing partners.

 

Mar. 29            Classical City Planning: Hippodamos of Miletos, Piraeus, Miletos

                        Read Owens 51 – 61; 

                        Quiz on Athens and City Planning.

 

Apr. 3              Priene and Olynthos

                        Read Tomlinson 84 – 95; Gates 259 – 260; 263 – 272.

 

Apr. 5              Hellenistic Cities and Planning: Pergamon and Alexandria

                        Gates 276 – 277; 287 – 289; Tomlinson 110 – 121.

                        Quiz on later Greek cities.

                        Paper topic and initial bibliography due.

 

Apr. 10            Delos

                        Read Gates 289 – 293; Owens 21 – 24.          

 

Apr. 12            EXAM 2

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UNIT  III         ROMAN CITIES

 

Apr. 17            Etruscan Cities in Italy

                        Read Gates 306 – 316; Owens 94 – 106.

                        Paper thesis statement and 2nd bibliography due.

 

Apr. 19            Early Rome

                        Read Gates 317 – 324; 327 - 334; Tomlinson 147 – 152.

                        Quiz on Etruscan cities and early Rome.

 

Apr. 24            Cosa

                        Read Owens 106 – 110; Gates 324 – 327.

                        Paper partners exchange first drafts.

 

Apr. 26            Pompeii: Civic Life

                        Read Tomlinson 175 – 183; Gates 343 – 347.

                        Quiz on Cosa and public life in Pompeii.

 

May 1              Pompeii: Economy and Private Life

                        Read Tomlinson 181 – 189; Gates 347 - 342.

                        Paper partners return first drafts.

 

May 3              Rome: Public Life, Economy, and Religion

                        Read Tomlinson 152 – 161; Gates 335 – 354; 358 – 379.

                        Quiz on Pompeii and Rome.

 

May 8              Rome: Daily Life and Leisure

                        Read Tomlinson 161 – 167; Gates 375 – 379.

                        Final draft of paper due.

 

May 10            Ostia

                        Read Owens 110; Gates 354 – 357.

 

May 15            EXAM 3