This webpage was prepared by Professor Thomas J. Sienkewicz. If you have any questions, you can contact him at toms@monm.edu.
Classics/History 240G: Ancient Societies
Africa in Antiquity
Goals and Requirements
Your final grade will be determined in the following way:
Print Resource: Summary and Review 10%
Electronic Resource: Summary and Review 10%
Unit Exam Exams (2) 40%
Approximately once a week each student will submit a statement on a class discussion, reading, film, convocation, or assigned reading. These statements, at least 600 words (two pages) in length are informal, short, non-research essays on discussion topics. They are not just summaries of activities. They should go beyond mere recording of events to include personal analysis and commentary. Emphasis will be on (1) integration of the student's own ideas and thoughts with the subject matter of the course and on (2) coherent and logical expression of these ideas. In these statements you will briefly summarize the main points, offer your own opinion and thoughts about the topics raised, and support your statement with specific data. These statements will be graded on a four-point scale. Submission of the work on time earns the student one point. Additional points will be earned for following content and stylistic requirements and for personal analysis and commentary.
Point System for Statements
4.0 A
3.0 B
2.0 C
1.0 D
0.0 M (=0)
There will be ONE (1) map (geography) quiz which must be passed in order to pass the course. Other quizzes, both announced and unannounced, may be given at the discretion of the instructor. No make-ups for quizzes (except for the map quiz) will be given, but a certain number of low quiz grades may be dropped.
II. Print Resource: Summary and Review
Each student will prepare a review (1000 word minimum) on a print resource (book or journal article) dealing with some aspect of Africa in ancient Greece or Rome. The resource must come from the Hewes Library collection; i.e., no interlibrary loan material accepted. Available journal resources include the American Journal of Archaeology, American Journal of Philology, Archaeology, Classical Journal, Classical Outlook, Classical Philology, Classical World, Helios, Phoenix, and Transactions of the American Philological Association. Since individual articles cannot be reviewed by more than one student, you should confirm your choice with the instructor as soon as possible. Each review must include in its top matter standard bibliographic information (including Hewes Library call number). A photocopy of journal articles MUST also be submitted to the instructor along with the review. Within the body of the review you must address the following questions: 1.) What are the main points of this resource? 2.) How does the author illustrate these points? What ancient sources and evidence are used to illustrate these points? 3.) How is the subject of this article related to the course topic (Africa in the ancient world) and, specifically, to topics and evidence discussed in class? 4.) What are the author's qualifications for dealing with this material? and 5.) What is your own evaluation of the author's work? All reports are to be submitted electronically to all members of the course via the college computer network. The grade for this project will be 10% of the final grade and will be based upon at least the following criteria: the quality (and length) of the material chosen; its appropriateness for the assignment; writing style; and completion of assignment instructions.
Both the instructor and one other student will write statements evaluating this review (which will be submitted only to the author of the review, not to the entire class). Authors are encouraged to use the reviews of other classmates as resources in revising their reviews for resubmission. Your evaluation of a student's work should address at least the following questions: 1.) Does this review follow the assignment guidelines? 2.) What are the best features of this review? 3.) How would you improve it? 4.) How would you use this review to improve your own review?
Students are expected to read all of these reviews, which become part of the course material. Those who make significant reference to this material in other assignments, and especially on tests, will automatically receive higher grades.
III. Electronic Resource: Summary and Review
Each student will prepare a review (1000 word minimum) on an electronic resource (website, CD-ROM, or Perseus) dealing with some aspect of Africa in ancient Greece or Rome. Since the same material cannot be reviewed by more than one student, you should confirm your choice with the instructor as soon as possible. Each review must include in its top matter standard bibliographic information (including web address and date accessed). A print copy of the first page (or table of contents) of this website also be submitted to the instructor along with the review. Within the body of the review you must address the following questions: 1.) What are the main features of this resource? 2.) What is the author(s)' point of view or main purpose? 3.) H ow does the author illustrate and develop this point of view or purpose? What ancient sources and evidence are used to illustrate these points? 4.) How is the material related to the course topic (Africa in the ancient world) and, specifically to topics and evidence discussed in class? 5.) What are the author's qualifications for dealing with this material? and 6.) What is your own evaluation of the author's work? All reports are to be submitted electronically to all members of the course via the college computer network. The grade for this project will be 10% of the final grade and will be based upon at least the following criteria: the quality (and length) of the material chosen; its appropriateness for the assignment; writing style; and completion of assignment instructions.
Both the instructor and one other student will write statements evaluating this review (which will be submitted only to the author of the review, not to the entire class). Authors are encouraged to use the reviews of other classmates as resources in revising their reviews for resubmission. Your evaluation of a student's work should address at least the following questions: 1.) Does this review follow the assignment guidelines? 2.) What are the best features of this review? 3.) How would you improve it? 4.) How would you use this review to improve your own review?
Students are expected to read all of these reviews, which become part of the course material. Those who make significant reference to this material in other assignments, and especially on tests, will automatically receive higher grades.
Ideally, this project will lead naturally from the print and electronic resources reviewed in II and III. Each student will pursue a semester-long project which focuses on some special aspect of African in the ancient world. Preparation for this project must include library research, analysis of historical evidence, and original work. The central product of this project can take the form of a research paper, creative writing, artwork, website or any other work which deals with material covered in course readings or discussions. All central products must be supplemented by a written statement (c.600 words) which contains the following information: 1.) a summary of the project; 2.) a description of its preparation; 3.) a list of at least five works consulted (i.e., a bibliography) and an explanation of how these works were used in the project; and 4.) an explanation of original aspects of this project. This individualized project will be 20% of your final grade.
NOTE: Course books can be cited in the bibliography but only as complements to at least five additional works. The quality of the material consulted will significantly affect the grade. It is highly recommended that a variety of resources be consulted, including books, journals, and websites. Heavy reliance on a single kind of resource (especially encylopoedia articles) is not advised.
Working in groups of three or four, students will choose one of their own individualized projects for a ten-minute presentation to the entire class. The first step in the preparation of this presentation is a written c.600-word statement in which each group member evaluates all the projects in the group. Consider the quality of the presentation and its appropriateness for presentation to the class. These statements will be shared with other members of the group and with the instructor. (This evaluation will count as a short paper. See #I.) The group will decide which project is best suited for presentation and decide how to make this oral presentation. The presentation will be graded on oral technique, originality, and content. Appropriate use of the personae of ancient Greeks and Romans in these presentations will automatically insure a higher grade. Once the presentation is finished each participants will submit at least a 300-word statement which summarizes their own individual contributions to the planning and the actual presentation. All of these presentations will take place at the final meeting during the examination period, on Tuesday, December 16th, at 8 A.M. Students will receive a group grade for the presentation and an individual grade based upon the information in the statement. The average of the group and individual grades will be 10% of the final score.
VI. Unit Exams
There will be two (2) unit tests--one on Wednesday, October 8th, and the other on the LAST DAY of regular class, Friday, December 12th. Both will consist of single essay questions which offer students an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of class lectures and text readings, to draw general conclusions about the material, to evaluate their own attitudes towards urban life in the ancient world, and to compare urban life in the ancient and modern worlds. Click here to read these exam questions. In answering this essay questions you should be prepared to make reference to a variety of material, including class lectures, slides, text readings and films.