THE
UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO
DEPARTMENT
OF CLASSICAL STUDIES
Prof. C.L.
Murison TC 429, Ext. 89159 |
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.