《古希腊文明演绎》是一门介绍古希腊文明发展演变过程的课程，它就像一扇窗户，通向“古希腊的辉煌过去”( 埃德加·爱伦·坡)。涉及到的主题有古希腊的经典神话，雅典和斯巴达的城邦体制，波斯战争，雅典的戏剧，古希腊哲学，伯罗奔尼撒战争，以及亚力山大传奇的东征故事等。我们主要通过阅读那个时代留下的文学作品来了解这些内容，我们称之为“伟大著作”。通过阅读它们，你将认识经典时代的神话故事，和它在哲学，戏剧以及政治思想方面的创造。你也会通过对这些作品的欣赏而理解为何这么遥远的一个时代，直到今天仍然魅力不减的原因。 作为一门人文类通识核心课程，它也将能帮助你提升批判性阅读、思考和写作的能力。它不需要你具备任何的关于古希腊历史、文学和语言这方面的基础知识。所有要阅读的文本都是通过英语或者汉语的翻译来进行。 The Evolution of Ancient Greek Civilization is an introductory course tracing the development of Greek civilization. It serves as a window “to the glory that was Greece” (Edgar Allan Poe). Topics addressed include the archeological and mythical origins of Greece, a comparison of Athens and Sparta, the Persian Wars, Athenian drama, and philosophy, the Peloponnesian War and the legendary adventures of Alexander the Great. You will examine these topics mainly as expressed in the surviving literature of the ancient world, we call them “The Great Books”. These great books, we believe, offer valuable opportunities for knowing and understanding Ancient Greek Civilization itself, the sudden rise of which is seen as "the most surprising or most difficult to account for" in all human history (Bertrand Russell). By reading them, you will familiarize yourself with Greek myths, as well as with its great inventions in philosophy, drama, and political ideas. You will also gain an appreciation for what these great books say more generally about human experience, thought, and potential—and consequently for how and why they have continued to remain appealing and relevant throughout the ages. As a CORE GENERAL EDUCATION HUMANITIES course, this course will help you develop your skills in critical reading, thinking, and writing. No previous knowledge of Greek history, literature, or language is required. All texts will be read in English, sometimes in Chinese, translation.