Kevin Stilley

Archives for January 2011

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Early Western Civilization – Syllabus

Course Syllabus – Spring 2011

The College at Southwestern

HIS 1103-A    W/F    1:15-2:30  Room F-17

Instructor: Kevin Stilley

Office Hours:  By Appointment

Email:  kstilley@swbts.edu

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/kevinstilley

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/kevin.stilley

Catalog Description

A study of the history and philosophy of western civilization from antiquity to the rise of Christianity.

Course Objectives

  • Appreciation of God’s providence in the overall pattern of history.
  • To gain knowledge of the main events, ideas and persons that have shaped western civilization from antiquity to the rise of Christianity.
  • To understand how the Biblical record and western civilization are related and be able to outline the relationship between revelation and historical records.
  • Development of the skill of applying history to contemporary ideas and issues

Required Texts

  • Susan Wise Bauer.  The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome
  • Paul L. Maier. The Flames of Rome
  • R.K. Harrison.  Old Testament Times

Recommended Texts

  • A good historically oriented study Bible is strongly recommended.  Two of the better ones are the ESV Study Bible and the NIV Archaeological Study Bible.
  • Lynn Troyka & Douglas Hesse.  Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers, 8th ed.

Blackboard

Blackboard and SWBTS student email will be used for class communications.  Students should check both Blackboard and student email daily for possible communications from the instructor.  WARNING:  Use of Blackboard requires that students pass an e-license test.  Complete this test as early as possible during the semester to avoid being locked out of Blackboard at the time the first exam is being conducted via that medium.  Alternative dates and formats for the test will NOT be offered.

Assignments

Grades will be determined based upon completion of three exams, two writing assignments/projects, and class participation.

  • Examination #1  (25%) – This exam will be conducted via Blackboard so please be sure to have a good internet connection available on the day of the exam.

  • Examination #2 (25%) – This exam will be conducted via Blackboard so please be sure to have a good internet connection available on the day of the exam.
  • Final Exam: (25%) – The date and time for the final exam may not coincide with normal class days and times. You must make yourself available to take the final exam at the scheduled time during finals week.   No alternative times or venues for the exam will be offered.
  • Writing Assignments / Projects (20%): Two writing projects have been assigned for this semester.

o   Create in the style of a David Letterman’s Top 10 List, “Reasons Why Christians should be interested in history?”  It may be helpful to consult the list of quotations found at http://kevinstilley.com/history-select-quotes/  (5%)

o   A timeline combining the main events from the Hebrew Bible with the material from our textbooks. The project can take many forms and students are encouraged to use creativity in its creation (examples:  board game, music, poetry, website, map, art, PowerPoint presentation, etc.).  (15%)

  • Participation (5%): All students are expected to attend class, be punctual, and participate appropriately in classroom discussion.  To engage in classroom discussion of the assigned reading it is imperative that all reading assignments be conducted in a timely fashion.  Be prepared or we may have to resort to the scenario found at the following url;  http://kevinstilley.com/a-warning-for-my-students/.   Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of all class sessions and again after each break. Absences or tardiness will adversely affect your grade.  Absences in excess of six (three for night classes) will result in an automatic failure of the class.  Students are free to record the class.  Guests are generally welcome, but please request permission from the instructor.  Laptops, iPhones, and similar devices may NOT be used during class as their usefulness is far outweighed by their ability to create a distraction.
  • OPTIONAL: A book report on The Flames of Rome may be substituted for any one of the above assignments.

Grades

Grades will be determined by the following scale: 100-98 (A+); 97-93 = A; 92-90 (A-); 89-88(B+); 87-83 (B); 82-80 (B-); 79-78 (C+); 77-73 (C); 72-70 (C-); 69-68 (D+); 67-63 (D); 62-60 (D-); Below 60 = F.

“When a man is busy at study, the Evil Impulse whispers to him: Why tarryest thou here.  Go and join the men who flirt with pretty women.” – Talmud, Zohar, ii, 265b

Tentative Schedule

HIS 1103-A Topic Assignment Due Today
January 14 Introduction to Course Please print out and bring your syllabus to this class session.
January 19 What Is History and Why Should It Be Important to Christians? Read: Harrison, chapter 1

Turn In: In the style of a David Letterman’s Top 10 List, “Reasons Why Christians should be interested in history?”
January 21 Pre-history & Genesis 1-11 Read: Genesis 1-11; Bauer, Preface;  The Everlasting Man – Chapter 2 (available on Blackboard)
January 26 Sumer & Akkad Read:  Bauer, chapters 1, 2, 3, 8, 10
January 28 Egypt Read:  Bauer chapter 4, 7, 9, 11
February 2 The Patriarchal Period Read:  Harrison, chapter 3
February 4 Hyksos, Hammurabi, Moses & The Nation of Israel Read:  Bauer chapters 23, 27, 32; Harrison, pages 119-127, 144-150
February 9 Western Semitic Power Grabs / David, Solomon, & Rehoboam (The United and Divided Kingdom) Read:  Bauer chapters 34, 39, 45,

Recommended: Harrison, chapter 7
February 11 Assyria, Babylon, the Medes & The Persians Read:   Bauer pp. 371-390, 410-417, 443-468, Old Testament book of Daniel
February 16 Examination #1 Examination #1 – On Blackboard
February 18 “Meanwhile in Greece…” Read:   Bauer pp. 183-190, 224-228, 253-257, 281-284
February 23 Greek Mythology & Religion Recommended: Hellenistic-Roman Religions, by Everett Ferguson (available on Blackboard)
February 25 The Persian Wars

History Channel Video: The 300

 Read:   Bauer pp. 514-534
March 2 History Channel Video: The 300 (pt. 2) – Birth of Democracy Read:   Bauer pp. 350-352, 354-358, 418-430
March 4 The Peloponnesian Wars & Alexander the Great Read:   Bauer pp. 539-554; 570-582; 591-607
March 9 Pre-Socratic Philosophy Recommended:

  • Presocratics, by Gordon Clark (available on Blackboard)
  • Philosophy Before Socrates, by John Mark Reynolds (available on Blackboard)
March 11 Socrates, Sophists, Plato Recommended: The Sophists, Socrates and Plato, by A. H. Armstrong (available on Blackboard)
March 23 Aristotle Recommended: Plato and Aristotle, by Donald Palmer (available on Blackboard)
March 25 Hellenistic & Early Roman Philosophy Recommended: Stoics, Cynics, Epicureans, and Sceptics, by A. H. Armstrong (available on Blackboard)
March 30 Examination #2 Examination #2 – On Blackboard
April 1 Romulus to Hannibal

Drive-Thru History – Rome Episode 1

 Read:   Bauer pp. 358-360, 431-436, 469-480, 555-561, 584-590, 607, 625-627, 629-641
April 6 Roman Prosperity

Drive-Thru History – Rome Episode 2

 Read:   Bauer pp. 644-647, 659-673, 676-678
April 8 Roman Empire

Drive-Thru History – Rome Episode 3

 Read:   Bauer pp. 680-696, 697-711
April 13 Six Flags Over Israel Read: Harrison pages 299-333
April 15 Roman Provinces & Israel During The Intertestamental Period Read: Bauer pp. 717-734
April 20 War With Rome & The Destruction of the Temple Turn In: A timeline combining the main events from the Hebrew Bible with the material from our textbooks.
April 22 No Class No Class
April 27 Western Civilization & The Kingdom of God

(or) Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Art, Literature, etc.

 Read:   Bauer pp. 735-744, 751-756, 759-777

Recommended:

  • Genesis 1-11
  • Daniel 2
  • Matthew
  • Revelation 1
April 29 – 1:00 Final Examination Final Examination In Class

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Seminar For Early Western Civilization

Course Syllabus – Spring 2011

The College at Southwestern

IDE 1103-A   W/F    2:40-3:55  Room F-17

IDE 1103-B  T/Th   9:25-10:40   Room F-10

Instructor: Kevin Stilley

Office Hours:  By Appointment

Email:  kstilley@swbts.edu

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/kevinstilley

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/kevin.stilley

Skype: kevin.stilley

Catalog Description

A seminar in the primary literature pertaining to the history and philosophy of early western civilization.

Course Objectives

We will thoroughly examine primary source documents from antiquity in order to . . .

  • Attain cultural literacy.
  • Acquire an emic perspective of the main events, ideas and persons that have shaped western civilization.
  • Explore the relationship between ideas and consequences.
  • Develop the skill of applying ancient ideas to contemporary events and issues.
  • Gain a better understanding of the two humanities (particularly in terms of revelation and truth).
  • Stimulate intellectual curiosity and facilitate a life-long pursuit of wisdom.

Required Texts

  • A Student’s Guide to Liberal Learning, James Schall (isbn. 9781882926534)
  • Greek Tragedies, Vol. 1, David Gren and Richmond Lattimore, eds. (isbn. 9780226307909)
  • Republic, Plato (isbn. 9780872201361)
  • Timaeus and Critias, Plato (isbn. 9780140442618)
  • Metaphysics, Aristotle (isbn. 9780140446197)
  • Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle (isbn. 9780911589030)
  • Rhetoric, Aristotle (isbn. 9780140445107)
  • Poetics, Aristotle (isbn. 9780140446364)
  • Handbook for Writers, 8th edition Troyka & Hesse,  (isbn. 9780131993846)

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used for class communications.  Students should check Blackboard daily for possible communications from the instructor.  WARNING:  Use of Blackboard requires that students pass an e-license test.  Complete this test as early as possible during the semester to avoid being locked out of Blackboard at an inconvenient time.

Grades

Grades will be determined by the following scale: 100-98 (A+); 97-93 = A; 92-90 (A-); 89-88(B+); 87-83 (B); 82-80 (B-); 79-78 (C+); 77-73 (C); 72-70 (C-); 69-68 (D+); 67-63 (D); 62-60 (D-); Below 60 = F.

Assignments

Grades will be determined based upon completion of reports for assigned reading, two group projects, class participation, an essay, and a final exam.

  • Participation (10%): All students are expected to attend class, be punctual, and participate appropriately in classroom discussion.  To engage in classroom discussion of the assigned reading it is imperative that all reading assignments be conducted in a timely fashion.  Be prepared or we may have to resort to the scenario found at the following url;

http://kevinstilley.com/a-warning-for-my-students/.   Absences or tardiness will adversely affect your grade.  Absences in excess of six will result in an automatic failure of the class.  Students are free to record the class.  Guests are generally welcome, but when possible please notify the instructor in advance.  Laptops, iPhones, and similar devices may NOT be used during class as their usefulness is far outweighed by their ability to create a distraction.

  • Reading Reports  ( 20%) – Students will bring to each class a report on the assigned reading for that class session.  The report will include four items; (1) a statement that all of the material has been read (or the exact number of pages read), (2) an idea from the reading with which the student strongly agrees, (3) an idea from the reading with which the student strongly disagrees, (4) an idea from the reading which was new or provocative to the student.

  • Group Projects (20%) – Student groups will be assigned two projects.  A group grade will be assigned by the instructor for each project and participants will receive a participation grade from other group members.
  • Essay, Research Paper, or Dialogue: (25%) – Each student will write an essay, dialogue, or research paper on a topic related to course content.  Papers should be approximately 2000 words long and will be graded in terms of grammar, composition, creativity, research, analysis, and relevance. 

  • Final Exam (25%): The date and time for the final exam may not coincide with normal class days and times. You must make yourself available to take the final exam at the scheduled time during finals week.   No alternative times or venues for the exam will be offered.

“When a man is busy at study, the Evil Impulse whispers to him: Why tarryest thou here.  Go and join the men who flirt with pretty women.” – Talmud, Zohar, ii, 265b
Tentative Schedule

IDE 1103-B IDE 1103-A Topic Assignment Due Today
January 13 January 14 Introduction to Course Please print out and bring your syllabus to this class session.
January 18 January 19 Discussion of Reading Read: A Students Guide To Liberal Learning

Turn In: Reading Report
January 20 January 21 Discussion of Poetics – Language for discussing literature. Read: Poetics (It is not necessary to read the Introduction, but it might be helpful to do so if you can find the time.)

Turn In: Reading Report
January 25 January 26 Discussion of Agamemnon Read: Agamemnon

Turn In: Reading Report
January 27 January 28 Discussion of Prometheus Bound Read: Prometheus Bound

Turn In: Reading Report
February 1 February 2 Discussion of Oedipus the King Read: Oedipus the King

Turn In: Reading Report
February 3 February 4 Discussion of Antigone Read: Antigone

Turn In: Reading Report
February 8 February 9 Happiness Read: Ethics, Book A

Turn In: Reading Report
February 10 February 11 Virtue Read: Ethics, Books Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta & Eta

Turn In: Reading Report
February 15 February 16 Friendship Read: Ethics, Books Theta & Iota

Turn In: Reading Report
February 17 February 18 Pleasure Read: Ethics, Book Kappa

Turn In: Reading Report
February 22 February 23 Discussion of Republic, books 1-2 Read: Republic, books 1-2

Turn In: Reading Report
February 24 February 25 Discussion of Republic, books 3-4 Read: Republic, books 3-4

Turn In: Reading Report
March 1 March 2 Discussion of Republic, books 5-6 Read: Republic, books 5-6

Turn In: Reading Report
March 3 March 4 Discussion of Republic, books 7-8 Read: Republic, books 7-8

Turn In: Reading Report
March 8 March 9 Discussion of Republic, books 9-10 Read: Republic, books 9-10

Turn In: Reading Report
March 10 March 11 Discussion of Timaeus Read: Timaeus, Sections I & II

Turn In: Reading Report
March 22 March 23 A final discussion of Plato’s metaphysics. Read: Timaeus, Section III

Turn In: Essay, Research Paper or Dialogue
March 24 March 25 The instructor will be lecturing on Metaphysics Books Alpha & Beta. You will be reading these sections as preparation for the presentations you will be giving, but no Reading Reports are required.  Please bring your book to class.
March 29 March 30 Meet in groups to prepare presentations. Meet in groups to prepare presentations.
March 31 April 1 Group Projects

  • Group 1 – Gamma & Epsilon (with a nod to Delta)
  • Group 2 – Zeta, Eta, Theta
  • Group 2 – Iota, Lambda
 Group Presentations (no reading reports required for this material)
April 5 April 6 The instructor will be lecturing on the whole of Aristotle’s Metaphysics. Read: Review any sections of the book that were unread. (no reading reports required for this material)
April 7 April 8 Discussion of Rhetoric, Sections 1 thru 4 Read: Rhetoric, Sections 1 thru 4

Turn In: Reading Report
April 12 April 13 Discussion of Rhetoric, Sections 5 & 6 Read: Rhetoric, Sections 5 & 6

Turn In: Reading Report
April 14 April 15 Discussion of Rhetoric Sections 7 & 8 Read: Rhetoric, Sections 7 & 8

Turn In: Reading Report
April 19 April 20 Discussion of Rhetoric, Sections 9 & 10 Read: Rhetoric, Sections 9 & 10

Turn In: Reading Report
April 21 April 22 No Class No class
April 26 April 27 Review For Final Exam Review For Final Exam
May 4 – 8:00 May 4 – 10:00 Final Examination Final Examination In Class

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Final Exam Review: World Religions Seminar

Be prepared to answer questions on the following topics:

  • Talmud
  • Torah
  • Tanakh
  • Sunni
  • Shi’a
  • Sufism
  • Basmala
  • Surah
  • Shirk
  • Hadith
  • Sharia
  • Fatwa
  • Dharma
  • Karma
  • Samsara
  • moksha
  • Nirvana
  • The Vedas
  • Koan
  • Three Jewels
  • Four Noble Truths
  • The Five Skandhas
  • Five Pillars of Islam
  • Eightfold Path
  • Confucianism

Short answer question (you can bring a notecard to help you with this one): Using a passage from the Bhagavad Gita explain why social justice is not a big issue for Hindus in non-Western countries.

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IDE1103 Final Exam Review

Below are a few of the items that you should be familiar with as you prepare to take your final exam for Early Western Civilization Seminary – IDE1103:

* * *

What are the three genres of rhetoric: exhortation and deterrence, legal(forensic), praise and blame

Did Aristotle believe that pleasure was the greatest good?

According to Aristotle what role does reciprocity play in friendship?

According to Aristotle, could you be friends with God?

What are Aristotle’s two kinds of virtues?  (intellectual, ethical)

What is Aristotle’s understanding of character development?

What role does excess and deficiency play in Aristotle’s view of virtue?

What are Aristotle’s three conditions that make a person’s actions those of a virtuous person?

What is a non-essential property?

What are Aristotle’s Four Causes?

Possible Matching:

  • Substance
  • Prime Mover
  • Tragedy
  • Comedy
  • Epic
  • Ethos
  • Pathos
  • Logos

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Franklin D. Roosevelt – select quotes

In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.

The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence.

When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

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Pop Quiz

A clever thief was charged with treason against the king and sentenced to death. But the king decided to be lenient and let the thief choose his own way to die. What way should the thief choose?

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Stopped Preaching and Gone To Meddling

When it comes to life transformation, asking the right questions is as important as it is when you are comparing high ticket items for possible purchase, diagnosing an illness, or trying to figure out what’s going on in your teenager’s life.  Here are a few questions for consideration.

Change: Do you get any “alone” time, with no television, music, traffic, etc.?

CHANGE: Could your time with your Lord use some fine-tuning?

CHANGE: Have you been taking care of yourself? Physically, have you had your annual medical check-up? Are you getting appropriate exercise? Are you getting enough sleep? And, of course, with what kind of food are you fueling your body?

CHANGE: Is there a person in your life, be it family or friend, that disagreement, bitterness, or misunderstanding has hindered that relationship? To begin with a clean slate would be a positive change, right?

CHANGE: Have you had an opportunity to step back and look at the way you work, play, worship, plan? What would positive change in any of those areas look like?

CHANGE: If you could hold a mirror up to your life, what one characteristic (not cosmetic) might need some attention — patience, sense of humor, attitude, work ethic, compassion, problem solving, etc.? What? Do you want to see positive change in one of these areas?

CHANGE: Think big. Do you need to make a “major” change? What would you do if you weren’t afraid?

(source: The questions above were adapted from some prepared by H.B. London, Jr.)

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Nap Time?

As the father of six children under the age of 13, I can definitely relate to the following account.

* * *
An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head. He then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious I pinned a note to his collar: “I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.”

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: “He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 – he’s trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?”

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Experiencing True Life

As the New Testament book of 1 Timothy draws to a close Paul tells Timothy that just as there are ideas that are falsely called knowledge, there are people who seem to be “experiencing Life” when it is really nothing more than a masquerade.  Paul wants Timothy and those in his church to “take hold of that life that is truly life” (1Timothy 6:19).  To that end he asks them to consider the content of the letter, lay it alongside their own lives, and use it as a tool for self-evaluation.

Have you gone through a similar process of self-evaluation.  Are you truly experiencing Life, or are you simply going through the motions?

What does it mean to Experience Life?

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1.  True life is LIFE IN CHRIST.

A.  Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your personal savior?

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)

B.  Are you walking in Christ?

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him. (Colossians 2:6)

2.  True life is Life With Others

A.  Jesus intended his followers to live in community.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35

B.  Life with others means more than being social, it builds upon a mutual relationship with Christ.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thess. 5:11)

3.  True life is Life Expressed

A.  Jesus did not want his disciples to withdraw from the world, but instead to express their new life in the midst of the world.

B.  Jesus gave his followers a commission that they are to express their lives in such a way that non-believers take notice and to tell them about what it means to Experience Life.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mathew 28:19-20)

Do you think you are experiencing true life?  If not, what would it take to do so?

Are you growing in your relationship with Christ?  Are you surrendering to His instruction?

Are you connected in authentic, loving, transformational relationships?

Are you honoring God with all that has been given to you?

Are you taking the message of Christ’s love to a world in need of love?

Are you helping to meet the physical needs of others?

Are you engaged in the life of the church or simply showing up?

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Taking Risks – select quotes

Always remember, it’s simply not an adventure worth telling if there aren’t any dragons.
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.
~ James B. Conant

Adventure without risk is Disneyland.
~ Douglas Coupland

You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.
~ Andre Gide

I think risk-taking is a great adventure. And life should be full of adventures.
~ Herbie Hancock

One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.
~ Abraham Maslow

To avoid situations in which you might make mistakes may be the biggest mistake of all.
~ Peter McWilliams

No living creature, except for a man, is able to take a risk, and even the risk of death, for the sake of
truth. Thousands of martyrs who have lived are a unique phenomenon in the history of our solar system.
~ Aleksandr Menn

The only safe thing is to take a chance.
~ Mike Nichols

There is no gathering the rose without being pricked by the thorns.
~ Pilpay

Biggest profits mean gravest risks.
~ Chinese proverb

Only he who does nothing makes a mistake.
~ French proverb

Life without adventure is likely to be unsatisfying, but a life in which adventure is allowed to take whatever form it will is sure to be short.
~ Bertrand Russell

Constant exposure to dangers will breed contempt for them.
~ Seneca

A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.
~ John A. Shedd, Salt From My Attic, Mosher Press (1928), page 20 [This quote is sometimes attributed to Grace Hopper, William Shedd, Benazir Bhutto, or Grant M. Bright]

Everything is sweetened by risk.
~ Alexander Smith

Don’t play for safety. It’s the most dangerous thing in the world.
~ Hugh Walpole

Progress always involves risks. You can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first.
~ Frederick Wilcox

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless–it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.
~ C.S. Lewis

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