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Course Overview

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Welcome to

Polis, Republic, and Empires

The course is part of the SPC track (Society, Policy, and Citizenship). It focuses on ancient Alexandria as a model of a metropolitan city that significantly impacted the ancient world. Alexandria is also examined as an example of multiculturalism, where Egyptian, Hellenistic, and Roman cultures lived together harmoniously in one spot. In addition, it was a Mediterranean city that fostered science, philosophy, and literature and spread them around the world.

The course will cover aspects of the history, politics, society, and religion of this great city.  The course is divided into four modules, each extending to three or four classes. Students in the first module will study Alexander the Great, the founder of the city, the story behind the foundation of Alexandria and its planning along with the major buildings of the ancient city. The second module is about the Museion and the Great Library of Alexandria. The module also addresses the scholarship of the school of Alexandria with examples of the most prominent scholars. In the third module, we will study the history of the Graeco-roman city and its situation under the Ptolemaic kings ending with the famous Cleopatra VII and the Roman rule, along with the social and religious importance of ancient Alexandria. Finally, module four studies the different cultural aspects of the Graeco-roman city of Alexandria as a melting pot of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures, and its school of arts including funeral traditions and tombs. A variety of concepts and aspects of different political institutions will be covered in this course. A study of economics and the evolution of cultures and societies will be included as well. This course involves students evaluating and analyzing social and political developments. By studying ancient issues, students will be able to determine how those issues still affect our societies today. Also, they will compare issues and trends of the past and present.

University Honors learning outcomes:

By the end of their course of study, University Honors students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an ability to integrate, analyze, and respond to primary texts and critical issues by using the vocabulary, interpretive methodologies, and theoretical perspectives of different disciplines.
  2. Demonstrate the skills of attentive listening, effective communicating, and reflective thinking so that they can be critical when evaluating their own work and the work of others.
  3. Apply their synthesized study of the perennial questions about meaning and value to the discussions of specific disciplines as well as to their own lives and to the contemporary world.
  4. Demonstrate a commitment to intellectual inquiry, ethical engagement, social justice, and just action so that they are capable of acting as leaders in their fields of study and beyond.
  5. Demonstrate a historically-grounded knowledge of local and global issues, drawing from and engaging perspectives from multiple traditions–particularly marginalized traditions–both past and present.

Course Specific Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Discover and examine the political, social, cultural, and religious structures of the ancient city of Alexandria, which serves as a model for ancient civilizations.
  2. Examine the connections and impacts of diverse cultures, specifically those of Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
  3. Understand the significant role that ancient Alexandria played in science and scholarship, and how it continues to impact the world today.
  4. Analyze and interpret significant political, social, and cultural matters of the past through the lens of modern viewpoints.

Class Structure:

In this course, there are two classes every week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Assigned readings based on specific chapter pages and other materials on Canvas will be given before each class. Active participation and engagement are required of all students and will be a graded component of the course. This entails attending class, completing assigned readings before class, and participating in class discussions and activities. Activities during class include PowerPoint presentations, group or individual activities, brainstorming sessions, and watching 5-10 minute videos or documentaries. Handouts may be provided to summarize the lecture. In addition to a final research paper, there will be two writing assignments in the course. The final exam will be an oral test on two or three selected topics that will be determined at the end of the course. Grades will be based on the average score of all assignments, homework, and class participation.

In addition to regular class hours, you are encouraged to schedule a meeting during my office hours to discuss any classes, assignments, or topics that you find interesting. You have the option to meet with me one-on-one or in small groups either in person or through a Zoom meeting.

Course Policy

Attending the classes is a mandatory requirement for succeeding in this course. Please inform me ahead of time if you are going to be late or miss class for a valid reason. If you do miss a class and need help with the material covered, we can arrange an in-person meeting or a Zoom chat. If you have an excused absence, like a health issue, family emergency, or religious obligation, you'll be able to make up any missed quizzes. Late assignments must be turned in within a week after returning to class, but it's your responsibility to arrange for makeup quizzes and late assignments. Homework assignments will be posted on Canvas, and it's important to submit them on time. Not submitting homework and assignments on time will result in a loss of points, and not making up missed assignments within the specified time will result in losing all points. If you anticipate being unable to turn in an assignment on time for any reason, please let me know before the due date, and we can discuss an extension.

It is recommended to keep phones away and turned off during class. Laptops should be used exclusively for taking notes and reading books. Moreover, recording classes require prior permission.

Academic Integrity: All instances of plagiarism will be handled according to Seattle University guidelines and result in a grade of F for the assignment and/or the course. Also, a report will be filed per SU requirements.

*Seattle University policy for religious accommodation request:  https://www.seattleu.edu/media/policies/Religious-Accommodation-Request-FormFINAL.pdf  Links to an external site.

Teaching & learning activities in class:

  1. Seminar & class discussions.
  2. PowerPoint Presentation.
  3. Individual and group activities.
  4. Reading and writing assignments.
  5. Videos and Documentaries.

General Guidelines for Writing Assignments: Assignments scedule.docx Download Assignments scedule.docx

The writing assignments should include the following:

  • Cover page with an appropriate title reflecting the subject topic along with the student’s information.
  • 4-5 pages.
  • Use different types of credible academic sources such as peer-reviewed journal articles and textbooks as you develop and prove your argument. (use 3-5 references).
  • Use the Chicago Manual of Style with footnotes and no in-text citations. Chicago Manual of StyleLinks to an external site. Links to an external site. https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide/citation-guide-1.htmlLinks to an external site. Links to an external site.
  • Use 12-point Times New Roman font, standard 1-inch margins, and double-space.
  • Include page numbers.
  • Start with a short introduction giving a brief overview of the topic you will address and support it with arguments to encourage the reader to read on.
  • Write body paragraphs where you go into more detail about the topic.
  • Use subheadings.
  • Create a clear and logical structure for your arguments and present them coherently and appropriately.
  • Wrap up with one or two-paragraph conclusions emphasizing the key concepts that were discussed in the paper and the results that were obtained.
  • Use images, illustrations, and tables to clarify the ideas of the text (not counted with the number of pages).
  • End with a list of references and reliable sources used. Only one of the required readings can be used.
  • Sources from the internet should be reliable with the URL and the date of access.

Research paper: 

For this course, every student must select a topic from the course syllabus and write an 8-10 page research paper. The papers are due at the end of the quarter.

During the course, you will have the opportunity to present your research paper to the seminar participants and receive feedback. Within the first six weeks of the course, you are required to submit an outline and short abstract of your final research paper (due date is in the sixth week). The abstract should include a brief description of your research paper, limited to 250 words, and a sample bibliography consisting of at least five academic sources to be used in the paper. Please ensure that your bibliography only contains scholarly publications, journals, and reputable websites. Note that any readings covered in the class cannot be counted as sources, but may provide additional support for your research.

The research should include:

  • Introduction: It is essential to have an engaging and attention-grabbing introduction to capture the readers' interest. Ensure that you stay focused on the main points. Your introduction should give a brief overview of the subject and analysis. You should provide supporting evidence to back up your claims.
  • Body paragraphs. The body paragraphs of your writing are where you can provide in-depth explanations about your chosen topic. It is important to clearly state the sources you have used, your hypotheses, interpretations, and the conclusions you have drawn. Justify your stance on a particular viewpoint, whether it is in support or opposition. Make sure your arguments are logically structured and presented.
  • Conclusion. In this section, you reiterate in the reader's mind all the key concepts that were discussed in the paper and the results that were obtained, along with future possibilities for further research.
  • Use subheadings.
  • Use different types of credible academic sources such as peer-reviewed journal articles and textbooks as you develop and prove your argument (at least 7 references).
  • Include your name and the class at the top of the first page.
  • Use 12-point Times New Roman font, standard 1-inch margins, and double-spaced.
  • Include page numbers.
  • Use the Chicago Manual of Style for citations. Chicago Manual of StyleLinks to an external site. Links to an external site.https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide/citation-guide-1.htmlLinks to an external site. Links to an external site.
  • Use footnotes.
  • Use pictures, images, illustrations, and tables to clarify ideas in the text with labels and numbers.
  • Include a list of references at the end of the research paper.

Academic Support Resources

Seattle University provides different resources for student support that you can benefit from. The following are different academic resources that can help you reach your highest learning goals.

Writing Center https://www.seattleu.edu/writingcenter/

The Writing Center is dedicated to supporting students at Seattle University. It provides different types of consultations in person, online video, or text chat. Consultants will help students begin writing tasks, organize and develop first drafts, and revise and edit later drafts. To schedule an appointment, call 206-296-6239 or email writingcenter@seattleu.edu.

Learning Assistance Programs https://library.seattleu.edu/learning-commons/learning-assistance

Learning Assistance Programs provides peer tutoring, facilitated study groups, and learning strategy development through scheduled workshops and individual meetings with a learning specialist.

Research Services www.seattleu.edu/learningcommons/

Research help is available to students at any stage in the research process. Students can schedule a virtual consultation with our team of Research Services Librarians and Student Peer Research Consultants (SPRCs) to get help finding and assessing sources, learn database search skills, and develop research topics. To learn more, or for immediate assistance via chat/phone/email, Ask a Librarian Links to an external site. page or book a Virtual Consultation Links to an external site. online https://library.seattleu.edu/ask/ .

Library Makerspaces https://library.seattleu.edu/makerspaces/mpc

The Media Production Center (MPC) offers tools, support, and space for students to create their own original multimedia productions. Even if you're a beginner the MPC provides trainings, workshops, drop-in activities, and more to help you get started. In this space you'll have access to everything you need to take your creative idea from concept to a finished piece of digital art whether it's video, photo, music, graphics, or more. 

Although class-related productions are given top priority, the production and post-production equipment/software are also available to the students for personal development and artistic vision. Whether you’d like to produce a documentary, sports highlight reel, slide show, graphic animation, digital art, an original movie, music video, or original music, we will provide training opportunities and many of the tools you’ll need to complete your own production.

English-Language Learning Center https://seattleu.edu/ellc/

ELLC supports all SU students who are multilingual speakers and for whom English might not be their first/primary language by providing them with a vibrant learning environment and resources to improve their academic English skills and by introducing them to elements of American culture(s) and expectations in American college classrooms.

Disability Services https:// seattleu.edu/disability-services/

Disability Services (DS) partners with the University community to recognize disability as a valued aspect of diversity and to embrace access as a significant component of social justice. The DS office facilitates equal access to courses, programs, and activities through campus leadership on disability access and inclusion issues. Appointments are available by Zoom or in-person and must be made in advance. To make an appointment or to ask a drop-in question, please join: the DS Virtual Lobby Links to an external site. between 9am-3pm Mon-Fri, call (206) 296-5740, or email: DS@seattleu.edu.

Academic accommodations or adjustments are modifications to how students participate in classes and activities. These modifications allow students to meet standards, but do not change them. Academic adjustments give students equal access to the educational opportunities of the University.

Important Academic Policies https://www.seattleu.edu/redhawk-axis/academic-policies/ Links to an external site.