Classical Archaeology: History and Method
There are few hobbies that tend to make one healthy and philosophic as that
of prehistoric archaeology. The Times, 18 January 1924
Table of Contents
Texts:
- P. Bahn, Archaeology: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford 1996)
- W. K. Biers, Art, Artefacts, and Chronology in Classical Archaeology
(Routledge 1992)
- J.G. Pedley, Greek Art and Archaeology (Prentice Hall 1998). The
Pedley text is excellent; he has included lots of illustrations, a glossary, etc. Whenever you
see an italicized word in the text, that means the word appears in the glossary (pages 368
ff.)
- Ramage and Ramage, Roman Art, Second Edition (Prentice Hall 1996)
Course Description
The course has been designed to five you a
broadly based knowledge of the material culture of Greece and Rome, called Classical
Archaeology (art, architecture, urban planning, etc.) The course covers the following
areas: defining classical archaeology, dating systems, methods, the material culture of the
Mediterranean basin, beginning with the Minoans and Myceneans of the second millennium
BCE and ending with Constantine in the early fourth century CE. An important part of the
course is the study of the formation and perpetuation of the "classical tradition" in art and
architecture. In the course you will be expecteds to distinguish between artistic styles
(geometric, archaic, classical, hellenistic, roman, etc.), know the fundamentals of
chronology and dating, urban planning, construction techniques, architectural orders, as
well as the process of archaeology. Archaeology is the study of a process, that is, changes
that occur in the material culture of a people and a search for an explanation for such
changes
Return to Table of Contents
Goals/Objectives
- to understand how archaeology illuminates the nature of
an ancient culture
- to distinguish between major artistic periods, artists,
etc.
- to learn how ancient communicated core ideas and values
through art and why art needs to be situated within its
historical milieu
- to learn how to write a proper research paper
- to learn how to create your own web page (your research
paper as web page)
- to become information literate. That is to say, how to use
a library, how to conduct electronic research, to master basic
skills (word processing, use of Mac and/or PC platform), etc.
Other Goals/Objectives
- promote clarity of writing
- promote computer literacy (word processing, email, internet resources)
- promote critical reading, i.e., reading for meaning
- promote visual literacy: film, slides, art
- promote oral communication skills
- promote analytical skills. That is, you must learn how to critique what you are reading,
hearing, seeing and why you should do so. Part of developing analytical skills means that you must:
- develop healthy skepticism (skepticism does not mean the same as cynicism). That is, do not be
afraid to challenge the assumptions of art historians and archaeologists
- learn how to read texts closely whether they are written, oral or visual. In other words, 'textual'
analysis
- learn how to examine issues from multiple perspectives. There are often more than two points of view.
The idea of bipolarity is very much a western notion inherited from the ancient Greeks.
- learn to recognize and accept ambiguity. There are very few absolutes in life, and life does not
consist of two colors alone.
- learn to distinguish between what you conclude based on compelling arguments and evidence versus
what you 'feel'.
You should come away from this class with a good basic foundation
in the study of Classical Archaeology. In addition to this foundation, you
will know which questions you should ask about through the discipline of archaeology.
I.e., how should you approach the study of other cultures through
their artifacts.
Return to Table of Contents
DISCUSSIONS: From time to time, there will be student
facilitated/led discussions on assignments I have scheduled for the entire class. Further details forthcoming.
As a student in the class, you control your
destiny. I suggest that you 1) do the readings before you come to class, 2) be actively
engaged in the course, ask questions, raise issues, and 3) attend class faithfully. Do not
hesitate to ask questions and see me should you be having difficulties. You will also be
responsible for seeking assistance from members of the Carthage staff in conducting
research, computer skills, writing skills. The library and the computer center have their
hours and services posted on the Carthage web page. Remember, Classics has a valuable
resource in its web page. Become very familiar with what the site has to offer
Exams and Research Project
There will be two exams, a midterm and final, as well as periodic quizzes to help
you master the factual content of the course. Exams will consist of slide identifications, identifications,
short answers or comparisons and essays.
The research project will have the following components: oral presentation, research
paper, and a web page. That is, each one of you will be given a different city from different historical periods
and cultures to research. You will give a brief progress report mid semester, then you will continue your research,
writing a bona fide research paper (and see below), and
finally, you will present that finished product in the form of a web page to the class. If you
do not know HTML, do not worry. I will offer a workshop but should you need further
assistance, I suggest you go to the computer center.
No late papers will be accepted!!!
They are to be turned in at class time of the day they are due!. You
must learn to adhere to the schedule. Problems with computers is
not an excuse for late papers. Please remember that you are here
not only to be educated but to learn the habits necessary for life
after Carthage. At other institutions, students are expected to turn their work
in on time; we simply do not have the facilities for makeups, especially in a class that is
highly visual.
- Make sure you have proofread your paper carefully. I do not mind if you have to make final final
corrections in ink (as long as there are not too many). Use a spell-checker, but when in doubt, look it up
in a dictionary. After all, "below" and "bellow" are two different words, but the spellchecker will see both
as correct spellings, regardless of context.
- Papers should have a title page with name, title of paper, and date and be stapled. I cannot be responsible
for unattached pieces of paper.
For requirements for research paper, see guidelines online. Please note there are
ample resources online that augment what I have here. Please consult the Writing Resources
located on the Classics web site. Another excellent place to start would be Gilchrist's essay on
research papers. At this site you will find a
step-by-step essay on how to write a research paper. Topics included are:
- Narrowing Topics
- Finding Sources
- Taking Notes
- Note Cards
- Types of Notes
- Organizing for a draft
- Forming a Thesis
- Drafting
- Providing Commentary
- Revising
- Proofreading
Start researching your paper now! Do not wait. You may have to order books and articles through InterLibraryLoan,
and that does take time (although our library is very good at getting materials quickly). Before you begin your
research, you should read How to Evaluate Scholarly Publications provided by Eugene
Engeldinger and Dennis Unterholzner.
Return to Table of Contents
The guidelines for Web Page are as follows:
Forthcoming
In essence, your research paper forms the core/foundation of your web page. But given the multimedia advantages of
the web, you will need to reconceptualize how you wish to present your paper in a web format. I have links to sites
of similar student projects done elsewhere. Of course, to do a web page you need to master basic HTML.
For what constitutes an 'A' paper, other expectations, and an explanation for the goals and objectives
established, click here
GRADING: Your final grade will be determined as follows:
I give + and - grades so 92-100 is A, 90-91 is A-, etc.
Midterm=
Final (with take home essay)=
Web Project=
Participation=
|
20%
30%
30%
20%
|
Return to Table of Contents
Class schedule
Professor reserves right to change syllabus and schedule of readings when needed.
| Feb. 4 |
Introduction of course; review of
Shelley's poem Ozymandias |
| Feb 6 | What is Archaeology?
Read: Bahn, 1-60 |
| Feb. 9 | Chronology and Dating
Read: Bahn, 60-100; Biers, 1-16; Pedley, 10-25 |
| Feb. 11 |
Early Bronze Age
Read: Biers, 17-60; Pedley 26-41
Outline: Bronze Age
links: Franchthi Cave
Early Helladic I-II
Early Minoan
|
| Feb. 13 | Middle Bronze Age
Read: Biers, 61-86; Pedley, 42-61 |
| Feb.16 |
Late Bronze Age
Read: Pedley 62-103
Links: Minoan Crete
Prehistoric Archaeology of the
Aegean: Minoan Palacesfrom Prehistoric
Archaeology of the Aegean A great site with current, scholary material on the prehistoric Aegean.
Includes both Crete and the Myceneans on mainland Greece. For Mycenaean palaces and houses, go to
Mycenaean Palaces
Video:
Aegean: Thera, Crete, and Mycenae
|
| Feb 18 |
Geometric Period
Read: Pedley, 104-121
Outline #2: Geometric Art
Links: Perseus
|
| Feb. 20 | Orientalizing Period
Read: Pedley, 121-145 |
| Feb. 23 |
GIS and archaeology
Read: Visit the Geography
web page and especially GIS and Remote Sensing
in Archaeology: Burgundy, France A great site, one which gives the general visitor background on what GIS
is and how it is used for Archaeology.
|
| Feb 25 |
Origin of the Greek Architectural Order
Read: Pedley, 146-168
Notes: Greek
Architecture
Links: Greek
Architecture
|
| Feb 27 | Open
Read: |
| March 2 |
The Archaic Period; Sculpture
Read: Pedley, 169-183
Links:
Cast of Major Archaic pieces from
Cambridge Museum of Classical Archaeology
|
| March 4 |
Archaic Sculpture
Read: Pedley 183-193; learn vase shapes on page 185
Video: Bronze Sculpture |
| March 6 | Archaic Sculpture and Attic Black Figure Pottery |
|---|
| March 9 | Attic Red Figure Pottery
Read: Pedley, 193-199 |
| March 11 | Early Classical 480-450
Read:Pedley, 200-230 |
| March 13 | Classical Painting
Read: Pedley 230-235 |
| March 16 | Spring Break |
| March 18 | Spring Break |
| March 20 | Spring Break |
| March 23 |
High Classical 450-400: Architecture
Read: Pedley, 236-264
Links:
The Parthenon
quotidian quote: "Did you
visit the Parthenon during your trip to Greece?" Shaquille O'Neal: "I can't really remember the names
of all the clubs that we went to.";
|
| March 25 |
High Classical 450-400: Sculpture/Painting
Read: Pedley, 265-275;
Ancient Reception of Athena Parthenos
|
| March 27 |
Athens; Greek City Planning--Hippodamos of Miletus
Links:
Images of Athens Archive
|
| March 30 |
Trends in Fourth Century
Read: Pedley 276-306
Links:
Mausoleum of Halicarnassos
|
| April 1 | Lysippos, Praxiteles, Skopas |
| April 3 | Fourth Century Painting
Read: Pedley, 306-315 |
| April 6 | Hellenistic Age 323-31
Read: Pedley, 316-354 |
| April 8 | Hellenistic Period |
| April 10 | Easter Recess |
| April 15 | Etruscan and Italic Art and Architecture
Read: Ramage, 8-49 |
| April 17 | Republican Art and Architecture; Roman Construction Techniques
Read: Ramage, 50-85 |
| April 20 | |
| April 22 | Julio-Claudians; Villas
Read: Ramage, 114-133 |
| April 24 | The Flavians 69-96
Read: Ramage, 134-154 |
| April 27 |
Cities of Vesuvius
Read: Ramage, 151-161
Links:
Pompeii Forum Project
|
| April 29 | Augustan Art and Architecture
Read: Ramage, 86-113 |
| April 29 | Trajan and Hadrian 98-137; Emperor as architect
Read: Ramage, 162-207 |
| May 1 | The Antonines 137-180
Read: Ramage, 208-231 |
| May 4 | Ostia: Port City of Rome |
| May 6 | Severans
Read: Ramage, 232-255 |
| May 8 | Third Century
Read: Ramage 256-67 |
| May 11 | Diocletian
Read: Ramage, 268-281 |
| May 13 | Constantine
Read: Ramage, 282-304 |
| May 15 | From Late Antique to Medieval period: Decline of the classical ideal |
| May 19 | Final Exam |
Return to Table of Contents
