A history of Modern Greece, from the fall of Constantinople (1453) to the present, with an emphasis on social, cultural, and political developments. The course focuses on the question: "who is Greek and what does it mean to be Greek?" and it explores this through a variety of issues and historical periods. The course will provide a chronological framework of events and it will utilize music, literature, and folklore, along with traditional historical sources, to gain a better understanding of the modern Greek dilemma and identity. The emphasis of the course will be on the most recent period, but a detailed study of earlier periods will be necessary to place the present in its proper historical context.

Instructor: Professor Timothy E. Gregory, 365 Dulles Hall, 230 W. 17^th Avenue. Telephone: 292-1949 (office), 292-2674 (Department of History), 291-4015 (home). Fax: 292-2282.

Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 9:30-10:30, Monday 1:30-2:30, and by appointment.

E-mail: gregory.4@osu.edu

Personal web site: http://www.acs.ohio-state.edu/history/isthmia/teg

Richard Clogg, A Concise History of Greece. Cambridge University Press. 1992.

Nicholas Gage, Eleni

Nikos Kazantzakis, Freedom or Death

Stathis Gourgouris, Dream Nation : Enlightenment, Colonization, and the Institution of Modern Greece. Stanford University Press. ISBN: 0804727252

Note: All books, except Readings in Modern Greek History, are available only at SBX. There may be problems getting hold of Freedom or Death. If you can't find the book at SBX you may want to get a copy from the public library. Readings is sold at Cop-EZ in the basement of Bricker Hall.

January 4 THE BYZANTINE HERITAGE

            Clogg, Ch. 1

January 11 TOURKOKRATIA

            Clogg, Ch. 2

            Kazantzakis, Freedom or Death

January 18 REVOLUTION

            Clogg, Ch. 3

            Readings 1 (Makryiannis)

January 25 THE NEW NATION

            Clogg, Ch. 4

            Readings 2 (Mark Twain)

            Gourgouris, start reading

February 1 WORLD WAR I AND THE KATASTROPHE

            Clogg, Ch. 5

            Readings 3 (Treaty of Lausanne)

            Continue Gourgouris

February 8 DICTATORSHIP AND WAR

            Clogg, Ch. 6

            Readings 4 -5 (Road to Rebetika; Hondros)

February 15 CIVIL WAR

            Readings IV-V

            Gage, Eleni

            Readings 6 (Wittner)

            Complete Gourgouris

February 22 THE JUNTA

            Clogg, Ch. 7

            Readings VI

Readings 7-8 (Athenian, McNeill)

March 1 RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY

Clogg, Ch. 8

Readings 9-12 (Cyprus)

March 8 PROSPECTS AND RETROSPECT I

Readings 13-14 (Women)

Students will be expected to attend all scheduled classes and to read all assignments (including handouts) on time. In addition to these common requirements, the course will encourage each student to investigate aspects of modern Greek history that interest him/her. These will include a book report and a class project.

1. A brief (500-750 word) report on Freedom or Death by Nikos Kazantzakis. The report should evaluate the character Captain Michalis as a historical personage. That is, you should explain the background against which the book is set and critically evaluate how well the book reflects the historical reality of Greece in that setting. This means that you should compare what you read in Clog and what we've discussed in class with what you read in Freedom or Death. Remember that you may have trouble getting this book--so take care of this potential problem at an early date. The report is due January 27. Late papers will be subject to a substantial reduction of grade.

2. A brief (500-750 word) report on Eleni by Nicholas Gage. The report should state the central thesis of the book and critically evaluate how well the book reflects the historical reality of Greece during the Civil War. This means that you should compare what you read in Clog and what we've discussed in class with what you read in Eleni. The report is due February 22. Late papers will be subject to a substantial reduction of grade.

All students must prepare a class project of their own choosing and delineation. All projects should be discussed with the instructor and you should decide on your topic no later than February 15. The project may be on any topic of your choice, as long as it deals with the history of modern Greece. One topic that is especially encouraged is the study of the " immigrant experience" of someone who came to America sometime in the past. Such a project would normally require you to conduct an oral interview with the person, asking him/her certain questions such as a) where they came from in Greece, b) why they left Greece, c) when they left, d) where they lived in America and what work they did, e) how they would describe their experience in America (good, bad, difficult, rewarding), and f) what they think about Greece now. A project along these lines may be particularly appropriate for students of Greek descent, but it may be attractive to anyone. All students will make a brief oral presentation of their project and they will prepare a brief written summary of the results of the project (2-4 pages). This written summary is due on March 1. Those who prefer may wish to set up a web site to present their project. Grades for the project will be determined by the amount of effort put into it and how well it is presented.

The following represents how the final grade for the course will be determined:

Mid-Term Examination 20%

Book Reports 20% (10% each)

Class Project 25%

Final Examination 25%

Class Participation 10%

Important Dates:

All students should be aware that plagiarism, or any other kind of academic dishonesty, is a serious offense and can result in penalties, including failure in the course and dismissal from the University. All work in this course must be your own, and dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated.