Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - HUM 277 OL01

History of Greek Civilization (3)

Class Number: 2560

Delivery Method: Online

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Feb 24, 2026
    Tue, 5:30–7:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Recommended: HUM 110.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Surveys the history of Greek civilization from Mycenaean times to Rome's conquest of Greece. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

As the legend goes, when Alexander the Great was asked on his deathbed to whom he was to bequeath his empire, he responded: “To the best one.” In offering this answer Alexander was no doubt thinking of areté (virtue), a notion of political and martial excellence that shaped Greek life from the days of Homer onwards. Much like the stories that constituted the legend of Alexander, numerous tales and myths told the story of other Greek kings, masters, slaves, heroes, and even entire cities. Through such stories the Ancient Greeks were able to explain and remember their own great past, while leaving to us a rich body of text and art, both entertaining and instructive. 
This course follows the socioeconomic, political, and cultural evolution of the Greek world from c. 3000 BCE and the emergence of the Minoans in Crete to 146 BCE when the Greek city-states of Greece were conquered by the Romans. It examines the outcomes of migration, the rise of cities, development of trade, economy and colonialism in the Ancient Greek world. 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

In the course of the semester, students learn about the shifts in power relations between different city-states in Greece, as well as of the role non-Greek cultures played in shaping from the outside a specifically Greek identity. Sharing a common faith, language, and ancestors the Greeks developed a sense of being the same in juxtaposition to the people around them, who they saw as rather different from themselves. This contact between the Greeks and ‘the other’ generated tensions but also encouraged cultural exchange, which helped shape a distinctly Hellenic civilization. 
Through in-depth reading and analysis of primary sources, students are exposed to questions of historical significance that are important not only for understanding the Ancient Greek world, but other historical periods as well. By reading and writing about these documents, students will be introduced to the processes by which historians interpret primary source material and will deepen their understanding of the vital analytical tools that promote critical thinking. In this course students learn about Ancient Greek history by reading relevant chapters from academic books and primary sources in translation, and by listening to recorded lectures. Through such exposure to both written and audio-visual materials relating to the history of the Greek world in Antiquity, course participants are led to develop critical reading and viewing skills, while developing their writing through sustained feedback to online discussions, assigned primary source analysis and their written midterm examination. 

Grading

  • Online Quizzes 10%
  • Online Discussions 20%
  • Individual Primary Source Analysis 15%
  • In person Midterm 25%
  • In person Final 30%

NOTES:

This course fulfills the Global Humanities requirements for the

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.