HIST 533V • GREK 4033
Attic Red-Figure Amphora showing Croesus on the pyre, now in the Louvre
Instructor: Dr. Charles E. Muntz
Time: MWF 8:35-9:25am
Place: Old Main 412 (History Library)
Dr. Muntz's Office: 408 Old Main
Office Hours: Mon 1:00-2:30pm, and by appointment
Email: cmuntz@uark.edu
Phone: (479) 575-5891
Overview
The class will examine the writings of the earliest Greek prose author whose writings survive, Herodotus. Herodotus has earned the sobriquet “the Father of History” for his massive history of the war between the Greek city states and the Persian empire in 480-479. But the Histories are much more than just the history of war. Tracing the origins of the conflict between east west, Herodotus weaves together detailed accounts of many eastern peoples, the rise of the Greek city-states, and an extraordinary number of “wonders." Our focus will be on reading as much of Herodotus' first book in Greek as we can, but we will also take time to discuss some of the most important themes and issues running through his work.
Workload
Translation: We will be reading as much of the first book of the Histories as possible. I've left most of the syllabus blank and will add assignments as we go. In preparing for each class it is important to go over the day’s assignment very carefully and learn all new vocabulary. Do not use a translation to help translate the Greek, and avoid writing notes or vocabulary in your text.
Quizzes: There will be seven in class quizzes covering grammar, vocabulary, and translation, on the dates listed below. These quizzes will be cumulative, but I will drop the lowest quiz grade.
Discussion: On days with quizzes we will also have class discussions on Herodotus. The syllabus indicates which parts of Herodotus in English you should read beforehand. Discussion questions can be found here to help you prepare, but feel free to introduce your own questions.
Final Paper: A 3200-3600 word research paper on a topic related to Herodotus of the student’s choice, subject to consultation with the professor.
Grading Breakdown:
Quizzes: 50%
Final Paper: 50%
Reading Materials
Required Texts:
Sheets, George A. Herodotus: Book I. Bryn Mawr Commentaries, ISBN 9780929524139
A translation of Herodotus - I haven’t assigned a specific one since I assume you all already have one. The library also has the Dewald-Oxford World Classics translation online.
A Greek-English lexicon - the big LSJ is available online and in the reference section, but one of the abridged versions (the “Little Liddell” and the “Middle Liddell”) will be fine for translating.
In Mullins Reference Section:
Liddell, H. G. and R. Scott. A Greek-English Lexicon. 9th edition revised by Sir Henry Stuart Jones. REF PA 445.E5 L6 1996
The standard Greek-English dictionary. Commonly abbreviated as the LSJ, this is also available online through the TLG project.
Texts on Reserve (all in Mullins under HIST533V-001):
Asheri, David, et al. A Commentary on Herodotus books I-IV.
How, W.W. & J. Wells. A Commentary on Herodotus. 2 volumes.
Dewald, C. & R. V. Munson. Herodotus: Histories Book I.
Denniston, J. D. The Greek Particles.
Powell, J. E. A Lexicon to Herodotus. Also available online through the TLG, login required
Smyth, H. W. A Greek Grammar.
Other Resources
Greek Text of Herodotus on TLG (login required)
Cambridge Companion to Herodotus. Available online
Major Bibliography of Herodotus (through 2016)
General Bibliographic Resources for the ancient Greece & Rome
Policies
Academic Integrity: As a core part of its mission, the University of Arkansas provides students with the opportunity to further their educational goals through programs of study and research in an environment that promotes freedom of inquiry and academic responsibility. Accomplishing this mission is only possible when intellectual honesty and individual integrity prevail.
Each University of Arkansas student is required to be familiar with and abide by the University’s ‘Academic Integrity Policy’ which may be found at http://provost.uark.edu/. Students with questions about how these policies apply to a particular course or assignment should immediately contact their instructor.
Equal Access: University of Arkansas Academic Policy Series 1520.10 requires that students with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have a documented disability and require accommodations, please contact me privately at the beginning of the semester to make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your eligibility for these through the Center for Educational Access (contact 479-575-3104 or visit http://cea.uark.edu for more information on registration procedures).
Unauthorized Websites or Internet Resources: There are many websites claiming to offer study aids to students, but in using such websites, students could find themselves in violation of our University’s Academic Integrity and Code of Student Life policies. These websites include (but are not limited to) Quizlet, Bartleby, Course Hero, Chegg, and Clutch Prep, as well as AI such as ChatGPT. The U of A does not endorse the use of these products in an unethical manner. These websites may encourage students to upload course materials, such as test questions, individual assignments, and examples of graded material. Such materials are the intellectual property of instructors, the university, or publishers and may not be distributed without prior authorization. Furthermore, paying for academic work to be completed on your behalf and submitting it for academic credit is considered ‘contract cheating’ per the Academic Integrity Policy. Students found responsible for this type of violation face a grading penalty of ‘XF’ and a minimum one-semester academic suspension per the University of Arkansas Sanction Rubric. Please let me know if you are uncertain about the use of a website.
Unauthorized Recording by Student: Recording, or transmission of a recording, of all or any portion of a class is prohibited unless the recording is necessary for educational accommodation as expressly authorized and documented through the Center for Educational Access with proper advance notice to the instructor. Unauthorized recordings may violate federal law, state law, and university policies. Student-made recordings are subject to the same restrictions as instructor- made recordings. Failure to comply with this provision will result in a referral to the Office of Student Standards and Conduct for potential charges under the Code of Student Life. In situations where the recordings are used to gain an academic advantage, it may also be considered a violation of the University of Arkansas' academic integrity policy.
Recording of Class Lectures: By attending this class, student understands the course is being recorded and consents to being recorded for official university educational purposes. Be aware that incidental recording may also occur before and after official class times.
Unauthorized Use and Distribution of Class Notes: Third parties may attempt to connect with you to buy your notes and other course information from this class. I will consider distributing course materials to a third party without my authorization a violation of my intellectual property rights and/or copyright law as well as a violation of the University of Arkansas' academic integrity policy. Continued enrollment in this class signifies your intent to abide by the policy. Any violation will be reported to the Office of Academic Initiatives and Integrity.
Please be aware that such class materials that may have already been given to such third parties may contain errors, which could affect your performance or grade. If a third party should contact you regarding such an offer, I would appreciate your bringing this to my attention. We all play a part in creating a course climate of integrity.
Inclement Weather: Classes will be held unless the University cancels them.
Miscellaneous: Please turn off and put away all cell phones and any other non-course related items and finish any food you might be eating before coming into class. Please remain seated during class - if you need to use the lavatory, do so before or after class.
Emergency Procedures
Many types of emergencies can occur on campus; instructions for specific emergencies such as severe weather, active shooter, or fire can be found at emergency.uark.edu.
Severe Weather (Tornado Warning): Follow the directions of the instructor or emergency personnel. Seek shelter in the basement or interior room or hallway on the lowest floor, putting as many walls as possible between you and the outside. If you are in a multi-story building, and you cannot get to the lowest floor, pick a hallway in the center of the building. Stay in the center of the room, away from exterior walls, windows, and doors.
Violence / Active Shooter (CADD):
- CALL: 9-1-1
- AVOID: If possible, self-evacuate to a safe area outside the building. Follow directions of police officers.
- DENY: Barricade the door with desk, chairs, bookcases or any items. Move to a place inside the room where you are not visible. Turn off the lights and remain quiet. Remain there until told by police it’s safe.
- DEFEND: Use chairs, desks, cell phones or whatever is immediately available to distract and/or defend yourself and others from attack.
Daily assignments
(I will add these as we go, but note the dates for quizzes & discussion)
Week 1
August 21: Introduction to Herodotus
August 23:
August 25:
Week 2
August 28:
August 30:
September 1:
Week 3
September 4: Labor Day
September 6:
September 8: Quiz #1 / Herodotus Discussion #1 - Book 1
Week 4
September 11:
September 13:
September 15:
Week 5
September 18:
September 20:
September 22:
Week 6
September 25: Quiz #2 / Herodotus Discussion #2 - Book 2
September 27:
September 29:
Week 7
October 2:
October 4:
October 6:
Week 8 -
October 9: Quiz #3 / Herodotus Discussion #3 - Book 3
October 11:
October 13:
Week 9
October 16: Fall Break!
October 18:
October 20:
Week 10
October 23: Quiz #4 / Herodotus Discussion #4 - Book 4
October 25:
October 27: 34.2-35.2
Week 11
October 30: 35.3-36.2
November 1: 36.3-37.3
November 3: 38.1-40
Week 12
November 6: Quiz #5 / Herodotus Discussion #5 - Book 5 & 6
November 8:
November 10:
Week 13
November 13:
November 15:
November 17:
Week 14
November 20: Quiz #6 / Herodotus Discussion #6 - Book 7
November 22: Thanksgiving Break
November 24: Thanksgiving Break
Week 15
November 27:
November 29:
December 1:
Week 16
December 4:
December 6: Quiz #7 / Herodotus Discussion #7 - Books 8 & 9