HI353G:
Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details
Contact Information
All readings will be available either linked on the syllabus or on Blackboard
Course Description: The Era of Alexander the Great covers the period of time also called the Hellenistic era of Ancient Greece, spanning the fourth-century BCE to the first century CE. Alexander is known as one of the greatest generals of the pre-modern era, and his conquest of the Greek, Egyptian, and Persian world significantly impacted cultures around the world. This course will cover the rise of Alexander, along with the Greek kingdoms that arose after his death throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. We will read ancient documents of cultural, political, and religious importance, and examine objects that show evidence of cultural syncretism between local, indigenous cultures and Greeks. We end the course by examining the legacy of Alexander into the modern world.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Be able to identify and describe different eras of Hellenistic History including and following the life of Alexander the Great
2. Be able to engage with and contextualize ancient material culture and documents.
3. Be able to discuss, present on, and write about themes relevant to the study of Hellenistic history.
4. Be able to conduct basic research of primary and secondary sources related to Hellenistic history.
5. Be able to examine questions pertaining to contemporary interpretations of Hellenistic history.
| Tuesday | Thursday |
Jan 14 Introduction | Jan 16 Timeline and Sources Before Class Read: 1. Alexander the Great: Conqueror, Commander, King, Sadler and Serdiville Introduction In Class: Journal Entry 1 |
Jan 21 The Making of Alexander Before Class Read: 1. Chapter 3 “Alexander’s Boyhood” of Worthington, Alexander the Great: Man and God | Jan 23 The Making of Alexander Before Class Read (There will be a Kahoot on these to make sure you get through all of them once before class! This will be today’s participation grade. This looks like a lot but they are not that long): 1. Birth of Hatshepsut 2. Homeric Hymn to Dionysus 3. Homeric Hymn to Heracles 4. Selections, Aristotle’s Politics In Class: Journal Entry 2 |
Jan 28 1. Workshop Day: 2. Primary Sources 3. Write-up 1 worksheet | Jan 30 Write-up 1 Due
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Feb 4 Alexander in Egypt 1. Hugh Bowden, Alexander a Very Short Introduction chapter 5
| Feb 6 Alexander in Egypt Read Before Class: 1. Plutarch’s Life of Alexander selection In Class: Journal Entry 4 |
Feb 11 The Ptolemies 1. Shipley, Greek world after Alexander, ch. 6 | Feb 13 The Ptolemies 1. Statuette of Arsinoe II 2. Berenike’s Lock of Hair In Class: Journal Entry 5 |
Feb 18 Alexander in Persepolis Before Class: 2. Hugh Bowden, Alexander the Great A Very Short Introduction chapter 6 (Available through the Wilmington College Library Website): https://academic-oup-com.wc.opal-libr aries.org/book/554/chapter/135294086 | Feb 20 Alexander in Persepolis Before Class: 1. Destruction of Persepolis by Diodorus Siculus In Class: Journal Entry 6 |
Feb 25 Seleucids Shipley, Greek world after Alexander, ch. 8 | Feb 27 Seleucids In Class: Journal Entry 7 |
March 4 Secondary Source Workshop In Class: Write-up 2 worksheet | March 6 Write-up 2 Due |
March 11 No Class | March 13 No Class |
March 18 Alexander in Afghanistan and India Before Class: 1. Thomas Martin “Murder, Marriage and Mixing Customs in Afghanistan”
| March 20 Alexander in Afghanistan 1. Plutarch “On the Fortune or Virtue of Alexander” In Class: Journal Entry |
March 25 Greco-Bactrians Read Before Class: 1. https://web.sas.upenn.edu/discentes/2023/10 /01/money-and-identity-the-socio-political-po wer-of-ancient-coinage-and-the-emergence-of-g reco-bactrian-culture/ | March 27 Greco-Bactrians Before Class Read: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14uf0U 4z5XdfD2splRaEguluk38mjC093HyF7ni2qbpE /edit In Class: Journal Entry 9 |
April 1 Alexander in India Read Before Class: 1. Arrian Anabasis VIII I-XX | April 3 Alexander in India Arrian Anabasis VIII XXI-End In Class: Journal Entry 10 |
April 8 Mauryans Read Before Class: 1. Alexander and Ashoka | April 10 Mauryans 1. Edicts of King Ashoka In Class: Journal Entry 11 |
April 15 Outline and Thesis Statement Workshop | April 17 Outlines Due Individual Meetings with Carly |
April 22 Memory of Alexander in later periods Reading: TBD Revised Outlines Due | April 24 No Class
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April 29 Memory of Alexander in later periods Reading: TBD | RESEARCH PAPER DUE Last Class wrap-up Go over creative assignment |
NOTE: The syllabus is subject to change. Make sure you pay attention to communication related to course material.
- Attendance and Participation: coming to class having done the assigned reading and ready to engage. Occasionally there will be a Kahoot that will stand in for this grade.
- Weekly Journal: You will keep a weekly journal, turned in at the end of noted classes. Journals will respond to a question that covers readings for that week. Lowest journal entry (including missed entries) is dropped. Journals will be graded by: 2 points (did well), 1 points (did the assignment but needs improvement, suggested redo), or 0 points (did not do the assignment or did not follow directions).
- Write-Ups and Outline: These are assignments geared to help you complete your research paper.
- Class Research Paper: 8-10 pages, based on research done in the term, turned in last day of class
- Creative Assignment and presentation of creative assignment: Due finals week.
Attendance and Participation 10%
Weekly Journals 20%
Write-Up 1 (Primary Sources) 10%
Write-Up 2 (Secondary Sources) 10%
Outline including thesis statement 10%
Class Project Paper: 20%
Creative Presentation: 10%
Creative Assignment: 10%
Grading Scale:
| A | 93.5% | B+ | 87< | C+ | 77< | D | 60< |
| A- | 90< | B | 83.5< | C | 73.5< | F | >59.9 |
| B_ | 80< | C- | 70< |
Instructor Course Policies
Things happen–we get sick, we have emergencies, we have sports, et cetera, and sometimes we cannot make deadlines. We also sometimes need another chance. I do not need to know why you aren’t in class or why your assignment is late (though you can tell me if you want to). If you anticipate needing to miss a substantial amount of class, see me ASAP to discuss.
Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. See the current Student Handbook for the College’s Academic Integrity Policies as they pertain to examinations, plagiarism, classroom behavior, and the process for handling academic misconduct charges. Penalties for plagiarism or cheating in this class may range from an F on the assignment to an F in the class. In addition, all cases will be reported in writing to the Office of Academic Affairs. In the case of serious infractions, the Academic Standards and Appeals Committee may take further action.
GENERATIVE AI
You are not permitted to use any generative AI tools for any work in this course. This includes the use of popular tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, GitHub Co-Pilot, as well as all other tools built on generative AI technologies. Due to the nature of this course, work can only be fairly and accurately evaluated if student writing has NOT been assisted by generative AI. Use of generative AI for assignments in this course will be considered a violation of the College’s academic integrity policies. Assigned reading and corresponding written assignments in this course are designed to develop independent skills and thoughtful perspective through reflective technical writing. Use of AI undermines that work, its purpose, and ultimately any benefit that it could provide towards students’ learning experience. Therefore, the use of any generative AI to help with any assignments will be considered cheating/plagiarism and will be graded and handled accordingly.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
Please arrive on time and refrain from packing up early, dozing off, holding side-bar conversations, listening to electronic equipment, text-messaging, etc. Students may be asked to leave class for these or other breaches of etiquette.
ADA
If you have a documented disability that requires accommodations, contact the Disability Services Director in Robinson Communication Center Room 114 or 937-481-2444.
NOTE: Expect a minimum of 2 hours of coursework for each hour of class time.
Institutional and Program-Level Policies
All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.
Out-of-class Work Expectation A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week. |
Instructional Course Delivery |
Academic Integrity Policy The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions. |
Academic Misconduct - Examples [10/24]
ACADEMIC CODE OF CONDUCT
This policy is directly related to the first Testimony, which is part of the Student Code of Conduct. “I will practice personal and academic integrity.” The initial responsibility for dealing with academic misconduct lies with the individual faculty member in whose classroom or course of study the offense occurs. The responsibility includes determination of the consequences for the offense. The goal is for faculty to confront cheating and plagiarism, to teach ethical behavior, and to provide an appropriate consequence based on the nature of the incident. Faculty are encouraged to explicitly address academic misconduct and its consequences in the course syllabus.
EXAMPLES OF ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
A. Examination offenses include, but are not limited to, the following:
1.Taking unauthorized materials into or out of the examination room.
2.Leaving the examination room without authorization before completing an examination.
3.Talking in the examination room without authorization.
4.Discussing the examination outside the examination room during the course of the examination.
5.Attempting to observe the work of another student.
6.Taking an examination for another person or permitting someone else to do so.
7.Collaborating improperly by discussion, joint research, or joint effort in any way expressly prohibited by the instructor. This includes using a cell phone or other device to access information from another source or another student.
8.Improper knowledge of contents of an examination - No student shall knowingly acquire unauthorized knowledge of an examination or any part of an examination, or solicit, offer, or give information about any part of an examination.
B. Student work offenses include, but are not limited to, the following, which are expressly prohibited in the absence of prior written approval of the instructor or instructors involved:
1.Resubmission of work - Submitting work which has been previously submitted for credit.
2. Plagiarism - Submitting work done wholly or partly by another, including the unattributed copying of all or parts of a published work or internet document. Using generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) sources to produce work (when not expressly permitted) is also a form of plagiarism. Some instances of plagiarism are the result of ignorance rather than dishonesty. When plagiarism is encountered, the instructor should be sure that the student knows proper procedures for attributing content.
3.Prohibited sources - Consulting material or persons contrary to the directions of the instructor.
4.Improper collaboration - Engaging in any discussion, joint research, or joint effort of any kind expressly prohibited by the instructor.
5.Deception - Misrepresenting the authenticity of sources, citations, or principles in any written work.
6. Sharing work – Students who share their work with others are responsible for how that work is used. For example, if a student shares a paper with another student to help him or her understand an assignment, and that student submits the work as their own, the author of the paper shares responsibility for the plagiarism committed by the other student.
D. Other misconduct - Engaging in any other improper conduct as specified by the instructor.
E. Lying – deliberately providing false information relevant to academic matters, such as misrepresenting the inability to take an examination because of illness.
F. Disruptive or disrespectful classroom behavior – causing a disturbance in the classroom, interrupting instruction, speaking rudely or threatening students or faculty.
Class Attendance Policy |
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
Students with Disabilities
In accordance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973), Wilmington College provides access through reasonable accommodations to students with documented physical and psychological disabilities.
Students who wish to access Services need to meet with the Director of Accessibility and Disability Services and provide verification of their disability. To register with Accessibility and Disability Services, students submit an Application for Services. In addition, the student must provide the Disability Verification form accompanied by current disability documentation from a licensed professional. For more information, contact the Director of Accessibility and Disability Services at accessibility@wilmington.edu or 937.481.2444, 114 Robinson Communcation Center.