The Nature of Myth:

• go to Powell's web site (Ch. 1):  click here (pay attention to the terms at the back of the chapters)

Creation myths:

• basic questions for the initial creation (not applicable to all):
  
• Who are the original beings and what is the primary matter in the account?
• How or by what mechanism does creation occur?
• Who is the creator and what is the nature of the world that was created?
• How are the other deities created?
• What questions does the story answer and on what occasions is the story told or retold?
• basic questions for the creation of mortals (not applicable to all):
• Who is the creator of humans?
  
• How or by what mechanism does creation occur?
  
• Why are humans created (i.e. what role/purpose do they play in creation)?
  
• What questions does the story answer?
  
• know the following:
  
• Dogon: Amma, EarthMother, Jackal, Nummo, 8 ancestors
• Norse: Niflheim, Muspell, Ginnungagap, Ymir, Audulma, Buri, Odin, Vili, Ve, Ask, Embla, Yggdrasill
• Greek: go to Powell's web site for Ch 4 (click here) & Ch 5 (click here) (pay attention to the terms at the back of the chapters)
• Iroquois:  Sky woman, the sorcerer, Waterfowl, Beaver, Turtle, Sky woman's daughter, Bud, Sapling
• "Sumerian:" Ulligara & Zalgarra (Leonard) & go to Powell's web site for Ch 4 (click here) (pay attention to the terms at the back of the chapters)
• Hittite: go to Powell's web site for Ch 4 (click here) (pay attention to the terms at the back of the chapters)
• Hindu: Brahma, Narayan,
  
• Hebrew: Who are God, the physical world (in contrast to Sumerian), Adam, Eve,  & the Serpent, and what role do they play in the myth?

Myths of the Olympian Gods: Zeus and Hera

• go to Powell's web site (Ch 6): click here (pay attention to the terms at the back of the chapters)

Myths of the Olympian Gods: The Male Deities

• go to Powell's web site (Ch 7): click here (pay attention to the terms at the back of the chapters)

Myths of "The Male Divine" (Leonard & McClure, Ch. 4)

• Sumerian: Enki, Ninhursaja (the Anuna), fox
• Yoruba: Olorun, Orunmila, Eshu, Agemo (the cameleon), orishas
• Norse: Odin, Thor, Hrungnir, Mist Calf, Mjollnir, Magni, Groa
• Aztec: Quetzalcoatl, nahual (Q's alter ego), bones, Mictlantecuhtli, Quilaztli
  

Myths of "The Trickster" (Leonard & McClure, Ch. 5)

• Yoruba: Ajapa, Aja, oba
• N. American: Coyote, grizzly bears, meadow lark, 5 wolves, rosehips, crows, Saucy Duckfeather, Magpie Woman, Coyote Woman
  
• Norse: Thor, Sif, Loki, Odin, Gungnir, dwarves (sons of Ivaldi), dwarves (Brokk & Eitri), Mjollnir
• Greek: see Powell, Ch 5 (click here) (pay attention to the terms at the back of the chapters)
• Others: save for later
  

Possible Essay Questions:

Short Essay (150-200 words long)
Examine the moral implications behind the myths of one of the following cultures--Yoruba (Leonard Ch 4 or 5),  Greek (Powell,  Ch. 7--Apollo's "loves"), Norse (Leonard Ch 4 or 5), or Hindu (Leonard, Ch 4)--and relate to society today.

Long Essay (300-400 words long)
1. Compare and contrast the "relations" (i.e. sex) in the myths of two of the following cultures: Dogon (Leonard, Ch. 2), Iroquois (Leonard, Ch. 2), Coyote myths (Leonard, Ch 5), and Greek (Apollo's loves in Powell, Ch. 7). In your conclusion, relate to society today.

2. Describe and compare the gender roles and the conflict between Adam & Eve in the Hebrew creation story (Leonard, Ch. 2) with that of the apropos Coyote myths (Leonard, Ch. 5) and relate to society today.