Syllabus-CLA 215, Mythology

CLA 215: Mythology
Spring 2000

Instructor: Dr. Victor A. Leuci

Office Hours:

Texts:

Classical Mythology,

Website accompanying Powel's text: www.prenhall.com/powell

David Leeming, The World of Myth, An Anthology, Oxford U. Press, New York 1990

Objectives: The purpose of this course is 1) to introduce you to principal myths of Greece, Rome, northern Europe, India, China, the Near East, the Amerindians, and others, and 2) to explore the functions and patterns of myth in various ancient and modern cultures. An important goal of the course is to develop a critical perspective that will allow you to compare the myths of different groups of people and to perceive the way in which certain mythic patterns seem to be universal in scope and others to be culturally specific. In essence, everyone in the class should strive to become adept at listening to, reading, telling, and interpreting traditional tales.

Relationship to the General Education Curriculum (Tier II: Artistic Expression and Critical Appreciation Context-course in literature). Mythology is a key backdrop to all Greco-Roman art and literature, as well as the literature, written and oral, of almost all cultures, so the material studied will, by definition, be representative of significant movements and periods, as well as key themes and figures. As stated in the Objectives above one goal of the course is to develop a critical perspective which will involve developing the students’ ability to analyze and discuss the material using key terminology and a variety of approaches. Understanding a society’s mythology is often essential in understanding that society and its concommittant culture since cultures often use myths as a key way of examining the human condition. Thus through this study of mythology, students will explore the relationship between art and society in order to gain insight into cultural aspects of society and develop a perspective that enhances understanding of the human condition. A study of mythology, with the importance of reading parts of significant works of literature and looking at how mythology was a key mover in the arts in general, cannot but help to promote an appreciation of the arts.

Writing Intensive Option: Several different types of writing will be part of the course: microthemes, three exams that are predominately essay, and a long paper. Four to six microthemes will be assigned as a means to help participants come to a better understanding of important themes, ideas, and concepts. One to three of the microthemes and the paper will be revised on the basis of a conference with me. Through conference sessions each student will develop and refine the paper topic. A critique and conference after the completion of the paper may also occur. In addition to meeting with me, the first microtheme will be revised on the basis of a conference with a member of the Writing Lab. In general, participants in the class should highly consider using the services of the Writing Lab and especially the Lab tutors, who can be of tremendous assistance.

Format: The course will consist of both lectures and discussion. More than three unexcused absences will be considered excessive, and no make-up work will be accepted for unexcused absences. All students and faculty must adhere to the Honor Code; please see the Student Life Handbook for the full description of the Honor Code.

Grading:

3 exams (100 pts. Each)
1 quiz (50 pts.each)
1 paper (paper: 2100-3500 words in length; details will be discussed in class; 100 pts.)
2-5 graded microthemes or "question assignments" (530-1000 words in length; 25 pts. each). The microthemes and question assignments may form an important part of class discussion.
In addtion roughly 10% of your grade will be based on class participation, attendance, web discussion, etc.

Exams and quizzes: The exams will be a combination of fill-in the blank or short answer with essays. Usually there will be 10-15 fill in the blank questions worth 2 points each and two essays (one long and one short) worth 25 to 40 points each. The quiz will be similar to a regular exam, only shorter. The essays should be well written in standard paragraph format and replete with pertinent facts to support your thesis (or theses). The average length for a good long essay is usually at least 300 words, i.e. one to two full pages depending on how large you write, what type of margins you use, etc. You will typically receive a review sheet one week before the exam as an aid in your preparation. You may choose a take-home option on the exams. This will involve writing three 700-1000 word essays. The topics for these essays will be provided along with the review sheet for the in-class exam.

Microthemes and Paper:

Content:

Microthemes: The microthemes will focus on a specific question based on your readings or possibly on a web site. The questions will be narrow in focus, and your paper should be corresponding narrow. The thesis you maintain in your paper should be supported with facts from the readings and from quotes where appropriate. The paper, however, should not be one long quotation.

Paper: You will be given several topics to choose from. The topics will naturally be of a broader nature than that of the microthemes, but the importance of a central thesis and supporting facts will be the same. The paper is not intended to be research in nature; rather an opportunity for you to examine certain topics and to come up with reasonable responses, i.e. responses that are based on reason and that can be supported by the information you have covered in this class.

Formatting:

Should be double spaced.
Start with a simple heading at the top of the page giving your name, etc.--but make sure that you include a word count.

Attendance: Regular attendance and participation are essential for the success of the whole class. More than three unexcused absences will be considered excessive, and no make-up work will be accepted for unexcused absences. A hard copy and an electronic copy of papers are due at the beginning of the class period. I expect you to abide by Westminster’s honor code. Let me repeat, no make-up work will be accepted for unexcused absences. A hard copy and an electronic copy of papers are due at the beginning of the class period. I expect you to abide by Westminster’s honor code.

Assignments: The assignments given below are not "set-in-stone," and may vary depending on how each class period goes. The syllabus will be updated as needed.

Jan. 12-14

W-F
Introduction. The Nature of Myth. Powell 1-18; Leeming 3-8

17-21

M-F
Origins and Creations: Egyptian, Hebrew, Indian, John (Christian) Hopi, Bantu, and Big Bang. Leeming 14-42. Leeming 36-42. Children of Chaos; Children of Gaea. Powell 75-84 Theories of Myth Interpretation. Powell Ch. 22

24-28

M-F
Origins: Zeus vs. Cronus and the Titans, Typhoeus, and Giants; Babylonian and Hittite Creation Story. Powell 85-107. Theories of Myth Interpretation Powell Ch. 22. QUIZ, Friday Jan. 28 Click here

31-Feb. 4

M-F
Origin of Mortals. Powell, Chapter 5, 109-134; Flood Stories. Leeming 43-60 Theories of Myth Interpretation Powell Ch. 22.

7-9

M-W
Origin of Mortals (continued) EXAM 1 Wed., Feb. 9 Click here

14-18
M-F Olympian Gods: First Generation. Powell Chapter 6.

21-25
M-F Olympian Gods: Second Generation. Powell Ch. 7 & 8 up to 194 Microtheme 1 Wed., Feb. 21 Click here

28-Mar. 3
M-F The God as Archetype. Leeming 123-4. The Trickster. Powell Ch. 8, 195-210; Leeming 163, 165-172.

6-10
M-F Powell. Ch. 22. Myths of Fertility. Powell Chapter 9

13-17
M-F SPRING BREAK

20-24
M-F Dionysus and The Dying God. Powell Ch. 10 Leeming 146-152

27-31
M-F Myths of Death and the Apocalypse. Powell Ch. 11; Leeming 76-88; Myths of Crete. Powell, Ch. 13 EXAM 2 Mon., Mar. 27 Click here

Apr. 3-7
M-F The Trojan War. Powell, Ch. 18 & Ch. 19, 534-546 Microtheme 2 Mon., April 3 Click here

10-14
M-F The Returns. Powell, Ch. 19, 547-end and Ch. 20

17-21
M-F The Returns. Powell, Ch. 19, 547-end and Ch. 20. Heracles, Powell, Ch. 15

24-28
M-F Heracles, Powell, Ch. 15 Paper Fri., April 28 Click here

May 3
W 3:00 pm FINAL EXAM Click here

Jan. 12-14	W-F	Introduction. The Nature of Myth. Powell 1-18; Leeming 3-8
17-21	M-F	Origins and Creations: Egyptian, Hebrew, Indian, John (Christian) Hopi, Bantu, and Big Bang. Leeming 14-42. Leeming 36-42. Children of Chaos; Children of Gaea. Powell 75-84 Theories of Myth Interpretation. Powell Ch. 22
24-28	M-F	Origins: Zeus vs. Cronus and the Titans, Typhoeus, and Giants; Babylonian and Hittite Creation Story. Powell 85-107. Theories of Myth Interpretation Powell Ch. 22. QUIZ, Friday Jan. 28 Click here
31-Feb. 4	M-F	Origin of Mortals. Powell, Chapter 5, 109-134; Flood Stories. Leeming 43-60 Theories of Myth Interpretation Powell Ch. 22.
7-9	M-W	Origin of Mortals (continued) EXAM 1 Wed., Feb. 9 Click here
14-18	M-F	Olympian Gods: First Generation. Powell Chapter 6.
21-25	M-F	Olympian Gods: Second Generation. Powell Ch. 7 & 8 up to 194 Microtheme 1 Wed., Feb. 21 Click here
28-Mar. 3	M-F	The God as Archetype. Leeming 123-4. The Trickster. Powell Ch. 8, 195-210; Leeming 163, 165-172.
6-10	M-F	Powell. Ch. 22. Myths of Fertility. Powell Chapter 9
13-17	M-F	SPRING BREAK
20-24	M-F	Dionysus and The Dying God. Powell Ch. 10 Leeming 146-152
27-31	M-F	Myths of Death and the Apocalypse. Powell Ch. 11; Leeming 76-88; Myths of Crete. Powell, Ch. 13 EXAM 2 Mon., Mar. 27 Click here
Apr. 3-7	M-F	The Trojan War. Powell, Ch. 18 & Ch. 19, 534-546 Microtheme 2 Mon., April 3 Click here
10-14	M-F	The Returns. Powell, Ch. 19, 547-end and Ch. 20
17-21	M-F	The Returns. Powell, Ch. 19, 547-end and Ch. 20. Heracles, Powell, Ch. 15
24-28	M-F	Heracles, Powell, Ch. 15 Paper Fri., April 28 Click here
May 3	W	3:00 pm FINAL EXAM Click here