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York University

Programme in Classical Studies

Humanities 3106

“Greek and Roman Biography”

Paul Swarney

033 McLaughlin College

pswarney@yorku.ca

Winter Term 2007

Required Texts - Some Suggestions:

Plutarch: The Rise and Fall of Athens: Nine Greek Lives, translated by Ian Scott-Kilvert, Penguin ISBN 0140441026

Plutarch: The Age of Alexander, translated by Ian Scott-Kilvert, Penguin ISBN 0140442863

Plutarch: Makers of Rome, translated by Ian Scott-Kilvert, Penguin ISBN 0140441581

Plutarch: Fall of the Roman Republic, translated by RexWarner, Penguin ISBN 0140440844

Readings in Greek and Roman Biography, Volume 1

Readings in Greek and Roman Biography, Volume 2

Please note that there are a variety of translations of Plutarch and other authors who will be read this term, both on line and off. Some are already available in the home page for the course:

http://www.yorku.ca/pswarney/biographia.htm

More will be made available as we proceed through the year.

For new procedures at the Book Store please see: http://www.bookstore.yorku.ca/index.cfm?index=Textbooks&cfid=17786&cftoken=20565567

ESSAYS: WINTER TERM 2007

Several essays and assignments will be set during the WinterTerm. Performance in essays and assignments will constitute 50% of the term’s evaluation.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ESSAYS AND ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE IN CLASS ON THE ASSIGNED DATE. ANY ESSAY HANDED IN AFTER THE DUE DATE WILL HAVE ONE GRADE SUBTRACTED FROM ITS EVALUATION FOR EACH CLASS BY WHICH IT IS OVERDUE; e.g AN “A” ESSAY HANDED IN ONE CLASS LATE WILL BE GRADED “B” ETC.

EXAMINATIONS: FALL TERM 2007

Two examinations on the assigned material and the topics covered in class and discussion will be set at the start of class on Thursday 8 February and Tuesday 3 April in Vari Hall 1154. Performance in examination will constitute 50% of the term evaluation.

PARTICIPATION

From -3 to +3 points.

FORMAT

The class will meet twice weekly on Tuesday and Thursday from 08:30-09:50 in Vari Hall 1154. The activities at each meeting will vary, but will generally comprise analysis and explanation of assigned readings and source material, and discussion of the topics, events and methodology which form the foundation of the course. Each meeting will focus on a specific topic and text and will be the locus of discussion about essays and other matters in the course.

The potential litigiousness of a small minority of the undergraduate population and the precise facts about student attendance demanded by Faculties at York require that attendance records be kept for each session. Students should note that participation in the discussions of topics and analysis of assigned readings is obligatory, and that reading and preliminary analysis of assigned material should be completed in advance of the session in which the material is to be employed.

Participation in the course will add between ‑3 points to +3 points to the term evaluation. It should be noted that students who habitually absent themselves from lectures, discussions and presentations generally find it impossible to participate in sessions which they do not attend!

ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS

The rules and regulations concerning plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty governing the course are those of the University and Faculty of Arts. Students will be expected to have acquainted themselves with these regulations and will be reminded of disciplinary procedures and penalties should occasion for such procedures present themselves. Please carefully read and understand:

http://www.yorku.ca/academicintegrity/

Rule # 24 You may no longer eat or drink in class. You must either have breakfast before the lecture or starve. This is a matter of courtesy to your fellow students and a matter of necessity for the professor.

LECTURES AND ASSIGNMENTS: WINTER TERM 2007

January 04 Lives and Times: the First Century

Luke Book 1

(Readings in Greek and Roman Biography, Volume 1, page 1)

09 Luke Book 2 (Pra/ceij)

(Readings in Greek and Roman Biography -Volume 1 page 29)

First Assignments Assigned

11 Suetonius, Tiberius

(Readings page 60)

16 Suetonius Gaius Caesar

(Readings page 78)

18 "Laudatio Turiae" and Propertius, Laudatio Cornelia