Classics and Mediterranean Studies (CAMS025):
Greek Civilization

This course gives students an overview of Greek cultural, political, and social history.  Covering roughly the time from the earliest complex societies in Greece to Alexander the Great and Hellenism, this course will focus on such topics as women in ancient Greece, the origins of democracy, the city-state, literary achievements, sexuality, war and warfare, philosophy, and more.  Students will encounter these topics and others through lectures and through primary sources.  During our study of the ancient Greeks, students will see the importance of studying this fascinating and important culture, both as it relates to history and to our own day.

What will I learn in this course?
  1. You will learn to trace the development of ancient Greek society with a view to Greece's place in the ancient Mediterranean at large, with special attention on the ancient Olympics, the Persian Wars, Classical Athens, the Peloponnesian Wars, and Alexander the Great.
  2. You will learn about ancient Greek art and architecture; students will learn to identify major Greek figures both in ancient art (mostly vase paintings), as well as in Renaissance, modern, and contemporary artworks; students will learn basic architectural vocabulary developed by the Greeks, and learn to recognize the endurance of this architectural tradition around the world today, even on the Penn State campus.
  3. You will have the opportunity to study some of the great monuments of Greek literature, including Homer, Sappho, Sophocles, and Plato.
  4. You will come to recognize the major strains of ancient Greek thought, from theatrical presentation to philosophy, from attitudes toward war and honor to ideas of sexuality.
  5. You will learn to approach critically gender issues, social stratification, and the often underestimated importance of class and wealth in democratic Athens.
  6. You will have the opportunity to place ancient Greece into a useful context for comparing the ancient world to our own.

This course meets the General Education Humanities (GH) requirements, the International Cultures (IL) requirements, and the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. See your advisor if you have questions about how this course can be used in your program of study.

Are there any prerequisites for this course?

There are no specific classes that you must take before taking CAMS 025.

I've never taken an online course before. What is it like?

This course is taught completely online. We'll use Penn State's course management system, ANGEL, for CAMS 025, and you will be able to communicate with the professor and your classmates through e-mail and threaded discussions within ANGEL.
You do not need to come to campus at any time, and you do not need a proctor or remote testing site.

An online course, however, is not easier than on-campus course. In fact, it takes a lot more self-discipline.  You must be willing and able to commit the same amount of time as you would for attending class and studying for a traditional course.  You must also be a motivated, organized student who feels confident about reading to learn and who is comfortable working independently. If you're wondering whether an online course is right for you, take this short survey to find out more about how online learning is different.

What are the technological requirements for this course?

To complete this course, you must have the following equipment or capabilities:

  • Have access to a computer that meets the ANGEL technological requirements.
  • Have access to a computer with a sound card and speakers
  • Have access to a high speed Internet connection to listen to .mp3 audio files
  • Be comfortable with navigating the Internet

 

How is the course structured?

CAMS 025 has 25 lessons.  The course lessons are structured around the development of ancient Greek civilization from its earliest stages, comprising the evolution of its political, economic, cultural, and social history. Grades for this course are based upon quizzes, exams, three short papers (one 4-6 page paper in the summer), and discussion board participation. Exams cover material from both the lectures and the reading assignments. The papers are a mix of response papers and thesis papers. See the Course Outline.

Where can I get more information?

For more information about CAMS 025 Online, see a recent course syllabus. To register, visit the Office of the University Registrar. At the beginning of each semester, all enrolled students should access CAMS 025 at the site of Penn State's course management system, ANGEL.


The Parthenon

The Parthenon is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece.

Map of ancient Greek civilization

Greek civilization arose along the shores of the Aegean and Ionian seas.

Portrait of Plato by Raphael

Plato

Plato was a classical Greek philosopher, who, together with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, helped to lay the foundations of Western philosophy.

Statue of Euripides

A statue of Euripides, one of the great Greek tragic playwrights.