Ancient Sports and Society

Course Description

Survey of the ancient Olympics of Greece and the gladiatorial sports of the Roman world, with special attention to physical, socio-political, economic, and religious health and wellness through sport.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

Minerva Academic Curriculum (MAC) Health and Wellness Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

  • Identify factors that contribute to physical, mental, and/or social health.
  • Demonstrate the connection(s) of different aspects of wellness to the overall health of an individual or population.
  • Critically evaluate information and media sources in a variety of formats.
  • Integrate and cite sources accurately and correctly.

Course Specific Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

  • Describe the sports and/or physical fitness activities of ancient Greece and Rome within their social, political, economic, and religious contexts.
  • Explain the relationships between ancient concepts of fitness or wellness to the individual or society.
  • Articulate the socio-political, economic, and/or religious factors contributing to physical and mental wellbeing in the ancient world.
  • Analyze ancient archaeological and/or textual sources to reconstruct past models of health and wellness among the Greeks and Romans.
  • Compare the cultural and behavioral dimensions of fitness and/sports between the ancient and modern worlds.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
18-22 pop quizzes 20%
3 reflections 30%
3 Exams 70% 50%

Grade | Point/Percentage Total

Percentage Letter Grade
93-100%A
90-92%A-
87-89%B+
83-86%B
80-82%B-
77-79%C+
73-76%C
70-72%C-
67-69%D+
63-66%D
60-62%D-
0-59%F

Attendance/Participation:

Based on pop quizzes listed above

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

  • S. Miller, Arete: Greek Sports from Ancient Sources, University of California Press, Los Angeles, 2012.
  • Donald G. Kyle. Sport and Spectacle in the Ancient World
  • J. Swaddling, The Ancient Olympic Games, University of Texas Press, 2000.
  • A Futrell, The Roman Games: A Sourcebook. Oxford, 2005.
  • Mahoney, Ann. Roman Sports & Spectacles: A Sourcebook. Newburyport, MA: Focus Publishing, 2001.

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.