THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO

DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICAL STUDIES

 

Prof. C.L. Murison

TC  429, Ext. 89159

cmurison@uwo.ca

Classical Studies 2700B (formerly 152b)

Winter 2010

2 hours per week

 

Course Outline

 

TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING IN THE ANCIENT WORLD

 

            This half-course surveys technological and engineering principles in antiquity.  Laboratory investigations in the accepted modern sense did not really exist among the Greeks and Romans, and there are, therefore, certain areas where limitations are more obvious than successes: the well-known paradox of Achilles and the tortoise, for example, demonstrates clearly the lack of any concept of acceleration.

 

            However, a wide range of materials was successfully used in a great variety of applications and, although many apparently obvious opportunities were “missed” (such as the stirrup, the steam engine, lenses and the calculus), a surprising number of quite modern-looking objects were devised and even mass-produced and there were more sophisticated machines and gadgets available than is, perhaps, generally realized.

 

            The class will meet two hours per week (Tu. and Th., 9:30-10:20 am, in TC 309) and will be conducted on a slide lecture/discussion basis.

 

            Important note: there is a Class Website, where the Schedule of Lectures and Assigned Readings is posted, as is additional information about Policies and Procedures. On the Lecture Schedule approximately 24 hours before each lecture is delivered, a summary of its contents will be accessible by clicking on the topic for the day in question. The URL is http://publish.uwo.ca/~cmurison/cs2700b/cs2700b.htm.

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

 

            To introduce students to fundamental concepts regarding how humans have, over many thousands of years, managed to control and alter the environment in which they found themselves, and how they succeeded in transforming themselves from tropical animals into technologically adept inhabitants of any part of Planet Earth. Our approach will be to examine various important materials (such as stone, clay, metals, wood, glass, leather and textiles) and discuss the history of their discovery/invention and use in (mainly) the ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern areas (though certain developments in the Far East and the Americas will also be considered). In addition, the ways in which theories about technological developments, growth of trade routes and commerce (and even about human evolution) are created today will be analysed and discussed. In this regard, frequent reference will be made to the “Latest News” feature which appears five days per week on the Archaeology magazine website (around 1:00 p.m. EST/EDT, as appropriate) at www.archaeology.org    (There is, for example, a new theory about some aspect of Neanderthal genetics or culture approximately once every week.) This site will provide material for discussion and criticism of theory-making today.

 

 

 

COURSE OUTCOMES:

 

            Successful students will, at the end of the course, be familiar with many aspects of the technological and engineering achievements of early “civilizations” and will be able to comment knowledgeably on their efficiency, practicality and economic importance (bearing always in mind the fact that there is no word in any ancient language for “productivity”). They will also be aware of major differences between ancient and modern methods of production, including the fact that, in any ancient technological venture or manufacturing process, the least expensive component was labour. From practical experience in the class they will also be able to describe in written and/or diagram form, as appropriate, major accomplishments such as trireme construction and deployment, the erection of major buildings, and the development of war machines such as an automatically-firing catapult and of terror weapons such as an early form of napalm.

 

GRADING:

 

30%     Class test to be written in class on Thursday, 25th February, 2010.

            (A copy of the most recent mid-term test will be posted on the Class Website for review purposes.)

            If the test is missed for any reason, the Instructor must be notified (preferably by e-mail) as quickly as possible, and certainly no later than 48 hours after the time of the test. If the test is missed for medical reasons, afflicted student(s) must also consult the Dean’s Office in their home Faculty. Make-up tests on medical grounds cannot be granted by the instructor (see the new UWO Policy on Accommodations below). If the test is missed because of a personal or family crisis, please arrange to see the Instructor as soon as possible.

 

30%     In-class essay (or submission of project by class hour), Tuesday, 23rd March, 2010.

            (This is a completely free choice on the part of each individual student; for details see the Class Website.)

 

40%     Final Examination, covering material from the whole course, to be written during the April Final Examination period. (A detailed description of this exam will be posted on the Class Website approximately one month before the end of term.)

 

PRESCRIBED TEXT:

Landels, J.G.  Engineering in the Ancient World (California—paperback)

 

OPTIONAL SUPPLEMENTARY TEXT:

White, K.D. Greek and Roman Technology, Custom course book M5552

 

 

NOTE FROM THE DEAN OF ARTS: You are responsible for ensuring that you have successfully completed all course prerequisites and that you have not taken an antirequisite course.  Lack of prerequisites may not be used as basis of appeal.  If you are not eligible for a course, you may be removed from it at any time, and you will receive no adjustment to your fees.  These decisions cannot be appealed.

 

PLAGIARISM: Students must write their essays and assignments in their own words. Whenever students take an idea, or a passage of text from another author, they must acknowledge their debt both by using quotation marks where appropriate and by proper referencing such as footnotes or citations. Plagiarism is a major academic offence (see Scholastic Offence Policy in the Western Academic Calendar).

 

For UWO Policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/accommodation_medical.pdf [downloadable Student Medical Certificate (SMC): http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/medicalform.pdf ] Students seeking academic accommodation on medical grounds for any missed tests, exams and/or assignments worth 10% or more of their final grade must apply to the Office of the Dean of their home faculty and provide documentation. Academic accommodation cannot be granted by the instructor or department.