Instructors:
Prof. Alexander Hollmann (Classics) (weeks 1–5)
hollmann@uw.edu: office hours W, 12–1 & by appointment, Denny M262E
Prof. Nektaria Klapaki (JSIS, Hellenic Studies) (weeks 6–10)
nklapaki@uw.edu: office hours Th, 9:30-10:30 & by appointment, Thomson 429
Course Description
How are Ancient and Modern Greece connected to each other? Partly real and partly invented, the bond between them can simultaneously be described in terms of revival and continuity, but also in terms of discontinuity, tension, appropriation and conflict. In the first half of the course we will look at some of the most distinctive features of and moments in Ancient Greek culture: the combination of competition and collaboration that gave rise to tyranny, oligarchy, and radical democracy, tragedy and comedy, athletic competition, and a much imitated style of art and architecture; how the Greeks presented themselves for generations to come in their literature, art, and architecture and saw themselves in relation to other peoples around them. In the second half of the course we look at Modern Greece and its relationship with Ancient Hellas: how has the heritage of Ancient Greece shaped Modern Greece? How have the excavations at Knossos and the debate about the Parthenon marbles impacted Modern Greek identity? How have Ancient Greek drama, myth and ritual been revived and to what end? What lies behind the modern (Greek) institution of the Olympic Games? How has the ancient Greek concept of democracy been used, appropriated, and abused?
We will explore primary texts and images both ancient and modern (poetry, history, novels, painting, sculpture, photography, and film) and a wide range of secondary readings in history, archaeology, literary criticism, cultural studies, and political science. There are no prerequisites.
Course Learning Objectives
- to become familiar with key features of Ancient and Modern Greek culture
- to study Ancient and Modern Greek self-perceptions
- to understand the ambivalent relation between Modern and Ancient Greece
- to familiarize themselves with the key aspects of modern Greek identity and the ideological processes whereby they were constructed
Course components
- Quizzes 1 and 2 (first half of course) (12.5% each = 25%)
- Midterm assessment 25%
- Quizzes 3 and 4 (second half of course) (12.5% each = 25%)
- Final assessment 25%
Required Course Reading Material
- Johanna Hanink, The Classical Debt: Greek Antiquity in an Era of Austerity(Cambridge, MA.: Harvard University Press, 2017).
- Other assigned readings will be available through Canvas and as handouts in the class
Course Policies
Please come to class prepared to participate. This includes having read the readings assigned for the day and have considered the study questions (if these have been assigned).
All Powerpoint presentations shown in class will be posted on the website after the class. Because we will often be working on the content up until the time of the class we cannot undertake to post these before the class. Please note that Powerpoint presentations are only outlines and not a substitute for notes. If you miss a class, please ask a fellow student if you can copy their notes.
If you cannot comply with a due date on an assignment or assessment, please let us know as soon as you can.