Ancient History - Course Description
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The study of early history shows human beings joining in ever-larger groups to practice the highest of arts: living together harmoniously and productively. The block begins with a brief look at the earliest humans, continues through the introduction of farming and settled living, and then begins to look at the rise and fall of empires. The block falls roughly into three parts: Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, and Ancient Greece. In the spring we revisit Greece and move on to Rome. Readings include the epic of Gilgamesh, laws of Hammurabi, Herodotus’ observations of the Egyptians, the myth of Isis and Osiris, and Pericles’ funeral oration.
Every student writes four substantial essays and presents their classroom notes in final form. They also produce illustrated pages and write short essays on three important writing systems: cuneiform, hieroglyphics, and the Phoenician alphabet. The class also spends a morning sketching in the galleries of the Oriental Institute.
Faculty: Barbara Huckabay, High School Humanities Teacher
Class Dates: November 26th-December 21st, 2012
Curriculum Area: Morning Lesson Block
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