Occidental College  Spring 2023

Hist. 220 Ancient Athens and Renaissance Florence 

Professor Maryanne Horowitz

Class Hours:  Tues & Thurs.   8:30-9:15 a.m. (Break 9:15-9:25)     9:25-9:55 a.m.         45 minutes and 30 minutes

 Room: 

Email:   horowitz@oxy.edu  good way to communicate---please mention Hist220 as Prof. Horowitz is teaching 2 Oxy courses.  Label .doc file of any attached assignment with your Last Name First Name and Hist220.

Office Hours: on zoom:   Reserve 15 or 30 minute meetings in ZOOM, Mon. 3-4:30 p.m.  and Thurs. 3:30-5:00 p.m. Reserve appointment at  https://www.oxy.edu/academics/faculty/maryanne-horowitz.  Prof. Horowitz will email you the Zoom invitation.

Prof. Horowitz appreciates that students upload a profile photo to https://occidental.zoom.us/profile.

4 credits:  History Survey and Pre-1800;  CORE Regional Focus (CPRF) and pre-1800; GWSS Elective

History 220   Spring 2023

Catalogue Description: This course provides an opportunity to vicariously "live" in historical cities considered to be creators of democratic or representative forms of government, as well as of great literature and art. Historian Thucydides, comic Aristophanes, and philosopher Plato draw us into Athenian gender/class socialization, politics, and culture; likewise, Boccaccio, the Medici family, and Machiavelli inform us of Florentine gender/class socialization, politics, and culture. Monumental architecture and gendered sculpture continue to serve to decorate and sustain the individuality of each city. By examining documents of daily life (including court cases concerning sexual acts) and the luxury products of the diverse crafts, we increase our knowledge of the controversial behavior and productivity of a wide spectrum of women and men. By focusing on two cities in their "golden age," the class will emphasize the shared positive, as well as negative, characteristics of ages historians have designated as "golden." History majors may petition for 300-level credit for this class with the completion of additional work and arranged with the instructor. (May be taken as History 397 by writing one research paper in place of one class paper.

Books in Bookstore (also available used from Amazon.com) Useful to mark up, but also available on reserve.

H John Camp and Elizabeth Fisher, The World of the Ancient Greeks (Thames and Hudson, 2010)  

Kenneth Bartlett, Florence in the Age of the Medici and Savonarola 1464-1498                                                                                       Judith Testa, An Art Lover’s Guide to Florence              

                      Course Objectives:

·       To gain familiarity with major events, people, and movements in the history of pre-modern Western Civilization 

·       To learn basic methods of historical investigation, particularly analysis of textual and visual sources in the context of two very influential city-states (with many documents available in English)

·       To experience the process of interpreting major movements in ancient and Renaissance history

·       To consider Renaissance authors’ and artists’ interpretations of ancient philosophers and of ancient gods and goddesses

 

·       To develop skills in historical argument, writing, and oral presentation.

                      Course Outcomes:

 

·       Students gain a critical awareness of the past as resource for imagining new ways of thinking, creating, acting, organizing society, and forming community.

 

·       Students will write a historical essay defending an interpretation on a historiographical issue by properly citing and critically evaluating primary and secondary sources.

 

·       Students will have multi-cultural insight into Renaissance authors’ and artists’ views of ancient philosophers and of ancient gods and goddesses

 

·       Students will understand the tumultuous political history of two city-states prized for their culture and representative government

 

Major Due Dates:

 

Tue., Feb. 21, 2023 In-class exam on ancient Greeks (on student laptop)

Mon. April 10, 2023 noon Email Paper, MLA notes, Works Cited (described after calendar)

Thu., Apr. 20, 2023 In-class exam on Renaissance Florence (bring blank bluebook, pens or pencils)

Tuesday-Thursday Schedule for Spring 2022

1) Read in The World of the Ancient Greeks, ch. VI on Classical Athens.  Browse in early chapters or on websites to mention Thursday a topic that interests you on the ancient Greek world, for example any visual site discussed in the textbook.  Easy summary on Athens, a scan on reserve Willis, “Ancient Athens” Visit Oxy’s Hillside Theatre to try out is acoustics.

Tue., Jan. 24, 2023 Intro. Powerpoint lecture-overview of Athenian history.
Thu., Jan. 26, 2032   Poweroint lecture-overview on Florentine history. Student oral discussion starting from students choosing a visual topic of interest in The World of the Ancient Greeks, such as Olympia, Delphi, Eleusis, Sparta.

2) Read in The World of the Ancient Greeks, chs. V (Polis: The Early Greek City). Student chairs of Kagan problem sets (scanned on MOODLE) arrange meetings to prepare discussion for Tues Jan 31 on “Unpopularity of the Athenian Empire” an on “Periclean Athens—Was it Democratic?”

Tue., Jan. 31, 2023 Student discussions on Athens’ democracy and its popularity.  Lecture on book collecting by the Medici in Florence.
Thu., Feb. 2, 2023 Meeting in Special Collections, 3rd floor Academic Commons.    Hands-on Visit to a Renaissance library.

To what extent was Athens democratic? To what extent was Athenian empire unpopular, especially during Peloponnesian war? Consider student presentations Tues. from Kagan problem set.

3) Read in The World of the Ancient Greek, ch. VII and VIII  

Tue., Feb. 7, 2023 Student reports, mostly visual items, chs. I-V
Thu., Feb. 9, 2023 Lecture on Greek sculpture-archaic, Hellenic, Hellenistic

4) Alexander the Great, Hellenistic Civilizations, early Christianity and

Read in The World of the Ancient Greeks, chs. IX on Alexander and Hellenistic World and 202-207  Review pp.138-139 on philosophers.

 Tue., Feb. 14, 2023  Lecture on Hellenistic Schools of Philosophy

Thu., Feb. 16, 2023 Lecture on Greek architecture-Hellenic and Hellenistic.   Discussion of students’ interest for paper topics.

5) Tue., Feb. 21, 2023 In-class Exam on student laptop on ancient Greeks.

Study sheet posted as last item on MOODLE Feb. 12, 2023 for exam of 2 35-minute sessions.

Thu., Feb. 23, 2023 Willis “Renaissance Florence” (scan)  Introduction to Renaissance Florence.  Ppt.on Giotto

6) Browse in reserve reading list, as well as class books, to consider topic related to ancient Athens or Renaissance Florence for research paper.  On reserve, see book of interpretations on trial of Socrates and large section of readings on GWSS topics.

Mon. Feb. 27  Noon Stage l of paper assignment: Email Times Roman 12 point. 1 page proposal. 1 page Works Cited. State the issues, conflicting historical interpretations, and documents (texts or images) that interest you.  Include your Works Cited divided into Primary and Secondary Sources. First formation of student discussion groups for related paper topics.

Tue., Feb. 28 , 2023   Student Group Presentation on political topics interpreting trial of Socrates. These students all read Plato’s Apology on-line from Loeb in Oxy library.   Bring your paper proposal for a small group work. Ppt. on 15th century Renaissance art

Thu., Mar. 2, 2023   Student Group Presentation on GWSS topics for ancient Athens or Italian Renaissance. These students read Aristophanes’ Women’s Assembly (Ecclesiazusae to line 842, on-line from Loeb in Oxy library) PpT. continues on 15th century Renaissance art.  Distribution of student assigned reports through April 6.

7) Renaissance Florence   Bartlett, Florence in the Age of the Medici and Savonarola, ch. 1 Florence before the Medici and students reporting on documents 1-6.

Tue., Mar. 7, 2023 Powerpoint on the 16th century Italian Renaissance
Thu., Mar. 9, 2023 Students assigned reports on documents 1-6 in Bartlett

………………………

Tues., Mar. 14, 2023  No Class. SPRING BREAK
Thu., Mar. 16, 2023 No Class.  SPRING BREAK

……………………………..

8) Judith Testa, An Art Lover’s Guide to Florence, ch. 1 Historical Background and ch 3 on The Cathedral Baptistery and  ch. 2 on building the dome, pp. 28-40 only.  Ch 8 on Monastery of San Marco where Cosimo kept his manuscript books. Ch 9 on Medici Palace and its Chapel

Stage 2 of paper assignment. Email Wed, March 22, noon, with Word.doc labelled by your first and last name. Pass in title suggesting thesis, 2 paragraphs from any part of intended paper with M.L.A. references to primary and secondary sources, followed by Works Cited divided into Primary and Secondary Sources.  Prof. Horowitz will keep a copy of her suggestions passed back, hoping that they are followed.

Tue., Mar. 21, 2023  Students as tour guide using Testa: chapters  1-3
Thu., Mar. 23, 2023 Workshop on paper proposal (bring your copy).

9)  Bartlett, ch. 2 The Medici Hegemony (1434-1494)  Student reports on documents in Bartlett, docs 7—16 on Florence in 1400s Testa, chapters 4-9. 

Tue., Mar. 28, 2023 Student reports on Bartlett, chs. 7-16.
Thu., Mar. 30, 2023 Students as tour guide using Testa: chapters 4-9

10)    Student reports on selected documents in Bartlett, 17-23, 32, age of Lorenzo de’ Medici, then crisis of Savonarola. Testa, chs. 10-16 and Epilogue

Tue., Apr. 4, 2023  Students make 5 minute presentations on their papers: thesis& key documents.
Thu., Apr. 6, 2023 Student reports on Testa & chapters 12-16. Student reports on Bartlett 17-23,32.

11) Bartlett, ch. 3 Savonarola and Florence & Afterwood.

Mon. April 10, 2023 noon Email Paper that argues a thesis by analyzing primary sources and rival historical viewpoints on a topic related to ancient Athenian or Renaissance Florentine history. Label .doc “last name. first name h220 paper” See instruction below.

Tue., Apr. 11, 2023  Student reports on Bartlett. Lecture on Ficino and Neo-Platonism, as well as Jansons’ ch. 16 on Florentine art influencing Rome and “Dawn” and “Dusk” in Medici Chapel(both ppt. in MOODLE).
Thu., Apr. 13, 2023 Last chance to present assigned report on Bartlett or Testa. Presentations of papers(Present your argument, as in topical sentences of your paper). Study Sheet passed out for advice for studying for exam.  Student suggestions on which questions best.

12) Michelangelo.  Finish reading Testa, ch. 14-16 and Epilogue.

Tue., Apr. 18, 2023  Founder’s Day, no classes
Thu., Apr. 20, 2023   Bring blank bluebook and pens or pencils. In-class exam on Renaissance Florence

13)Tue., Apr. 25, 2023 Lecture on Machiavelli and Machiavellianism

Thurs. April 27, 2023 Lecture on Renaissance Diplomacy

14) Tues. May 2, 2023 Student Evaluations

Final Week. No assignment. Prof. grading last exam on bluebooks, will return to your mailbox.

Grading Policies, Hist. 220

Paper:

8-10 page paper in Word.doc, paginated, including M.L.A. parenthetical notes plus Works Cited divided into the Primary and Secondary Sources utilized.  Optionally, Figure List with artist, title, date, and website or book and page. Images might be in an Appendix.

Format: Times Roman, 12 point, 1 inch margins, paginated in Word.doc or .docx.  List word count at end of text. 

The criteria for evaluating the paper are as follows:

●       Provides thesis and logical structure of paper

●       Considers alternate historical interpretations, the secondary sources (with M.L.A parenthetical notes to scholars or students in the class)

●       Argues for thesis via detailed analysis of primary sources and differences between them

●       Writes in proper sentences and paragraphs (each with one topical sentence)

●       Provides parenthetical notes for quotations and summaries, leading reader to author and page.

●    Works cited divided into Primary Sources and Secondary Sources M.L.A. Style (See Turabian from First Year Seminar or ( https://style.mla.org/works-cited/works-cited-a-quick-guide/essay)

·       As in Oxy’s first year writing proficiency portfolio, this paper assignment is thesis-driven, utilizes features of conventional expository essays, and demonstrates integration of evidence from academically credible scholarly sources.

 

Grading:   Prof. Horowitz she seeks to work with you so that the final grades range only from B- to A.  Final course grades in this class have the following meaning: (Prof. Horowitz is aiming to assign only grades B-, B, B+, A-, A)

A  Outstanding performance. You have demonstrated very thorough knowledge and understanding of all the material, truly superior critical thinking, and expressed insightful and original thoughts clearly. You have completed all required assignments, and they have been among the best in the class.

B  Good performance. You have demonstrated solid knowledge and understanding of the material and good critical thinking. You have also shown the ability to express your ideas clearly. You have completed all required assignments, and they have been of good quality.

C  Satisfactory performance. You have demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of the major concepts taught in the class and some critical thinking. You have completed all or most of the required assignments, and they have routinely been free of significant problems.

D  Deficient performance. You have only acquired a limited understanding of the class material. You have failed to complete all the required assignments, and they have routinely had serious problems.

F Failure. You have failed to learn a sufficient proportion of the basic concepts and ideas taught in the class. You have failed to complete many required assignments, and they have routinely had serious problems.

 

Resources in Academic Commons:

●       The Writing Center offers opportunities to work on all forms of writing for any class or other writing tasks such as personal statements, senior comprehensives, etc. We offer peer-to-peer consultations with knowledgeable Writing Advisers and sessions with Faculty Writing Specialists. See the Writing Center website for more information about our fall hours and how students can sign up for appointments. Please contact the Writing Programs-Center Director, Julie Prebel (jprebel@oxy.edu) for more information on how the Center can work with you.

●       The college offers library research consultations and discipline-specific peer tutoring for coursework 

      ●       Attendance Policy and Participation Definition.  Quotations come from official Occidental College  fall 2021 policy suggestions:

 “Participation is expected as the work that we do in class is critical to your understanding of the material and you will be giving feedback to your peers on many occasions.  However, if there is a medical issue or family emergency please let me know; I recognize that other life issues can sometimes arise unexpectedly. If you must miss class due to an official Oxy event, or due to reasons of faith or conscience, please let me know as early in the semester as possible.”

“We are still in a public health emergency, and students may have difficulties beyond their control that prevent their attendance on a given day (e.g., symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19, or a positive COVID-19 test). Your health and well-being, and that of our community, are essential. If you are feeling any symptoms of illness, even if they are slight, please refrain from attending class until explicitly cleared by Emmons. Similarly, if you have a known exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please do not return to class until Emmons confirms that you are cleared to participate in your usual activities.”

●       Late Assignment Policy. Please inform Prof. Horowitz ahead if you are not able to meet the deadline for a paper assignment or an exam.  She will try to accommodate your re-scheduling.   Meanwhile, please utilize the many Resources offered by Occidental College Student Affairs https://www.oxy.edu/student-life/student-affairs/resources-

 

Link to Occidental College Policies 2022-23: 

https:/sites.oxy.edu/horowitz/courses/CollegePolicies2022-2023.htm