Class Discussions, 30% of final grade: On the schedule (click here), the dates and topics for the
rest of the term are laid out (the schedule is also on the wiki). Days that are more discussion-focused
are indicated in red. If you cannot make one or more of the discussion days,
please email us or talk to us ASAP. The solution to missing a discussion day is to either come to
one of our office hours (listed above) or hand in a 2-page (double-spaced) write-up on the
readings for discussion.
There are many ways to participate in a seminar discussion. Reflect on your own approach, and
challenge yourself to try a new one. Some possibilities are listed below:
Show up for class prepared (i.e. having done the required reading).
Offer your opinion of the readings.
Respond to someone else’s opinion – either agreeing/supporting, elaborating, asking for
clarification, or expressing a different point of view.
Ask a question – either a discussion question or merely something from the readings that
confused/perplexed/fascinated you.
Guide/get the discussion back on track.
Play devil’s advocate.
Be an active listener at all times.
Above all, be respectful of one another
Presentation Assignments, 30% of final grade: Another 30% of the grade is a 15-minute
presentation on one of the topics outlined in the schedule below (also on the wiki). You can
either present the assigned readings for that day or go more in depth about a topic of interest.
The presentation can be related to your final project. If you have an interest and are not sure
where it would fit in on the schedule (e.g. sculpture, religion, warfare), please get in touch and
we will be happy to help you find readings and an appropriate time to present. Otherwise, if you
know the day you want to present, then place your name beside that day by editing the wiki. You
can present on discussion days as well. Please do this by Wednesday of next week.
Ideally your presentation will make use of images and present either your own argument on a
topic or an author’s argument and your opinion of it. Be as focused as possible – present one
argument and not simply a scattered reflection of ideas loosely related to a topic, or else simply a
summary of an author's paper. You may talk for the full 15 minutes or you can build some
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discussion questions into your presentation for the class. You may also find your own article(s)
on your presentation topic or ask for guidance and we will be happy to assist you.
Final Project, 40% of final grade: this can be on whatever topic you choose dealing with the
archaeology of Greece. The final project can be as straightforward as a research paper or can use
more dynamic media, based on the student's interests and strengths. It can be on the same topic
covered in the Presentation Assignment, if the student chooses.
Some ideas for presentation formats, beyond a standard research paper:
A mock museum catalogue of artifacts based around one of the major themes of the course
An online presentation (i.e. using a program such as Prezi)
A review paper of a special topic in Greek Archaeology (this might be useful for students preparing for a senior thesis in Classics or Archaeology)
We will talk about all of the course requirements in class; as always, feel free to get in touch before
or after class, by email, or during office hours if you have any further questions.