F08-Topics for Myth Papers

Classics 215: Mythology

Fall 2008

Topics for Papers

Paper #1 topic

Directions:

e-mail a copy to me (victor.leuci@westminster-mo.edu)
bring a paper copy to class
length: 600-900
for more information about the format and about the writing intensive requirements, click here

Write on one of the topics below:

1. From our readings we saw that some divine myths attempt to explain where everything comes from--based on what people in that culture and time knew. Compare and contrast the modern scientific theory of the "creation" of the universe (click here) with one of the following: Norse creation myth (use the pdf in the lessons tab in ANGEL) or the Greek creation myth (use Powell, Ch 4).
2. For the Iroquois and Mayan creation stories, as given in Leonard & McClure, discuss meaningful points of similarity or difference and detail what this may tell us about their cultures and/or humanity in general.

Citation directions:

For the Norse myth, use the "paragraph" numbers, e.g. "All the giants have come from Ymir" (Norse, 5)

For the Greek creation myth use Powell and his page numbers, e.g. (Powell, 45).

For the Iroquois and Mayan creation stories, use Leonard and "his" page numbers, e.g. (Leonard, 67)

For the modern scientific theory use NASA and an appropriate web page header, e.g. (NASA, Beyond Big Bang: Structure)

For this paper don't worry about a bibliography.

Paper #2 topic

Directions:

e-mail a copy to me (victor.leuci@westminster-mo.edu)

bring a paper copy to class

length: 600-900

for more information about the format and about the writing intensive requirements, click here

Write on one of the topics below:

1. We have discussed what some of the myths can tell us about the place of women in society. Examine what the Homeric Hymn to Hermes (Powell 186-198) and the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite (Powell 210-215)can tell us about the place of women in Greek society.

2. We have discussed what some of the myths can tell us about the place of men in society. Examine what the Homeric Hymn to Aprodite (Powell 210-215) and the Homeric Hymn to Demeter (Powell 228-241) can tell us about the place of men in Greek society.

Citation directions:

In-text: Use the line numbers for the Hymns as given in Powell. As long as you've made clear which Homeric Hymn you are citing, just use the line numbers given by Powell; e.g. if you quoted "Hail, goddesses, ruling the folk of the fragrant town of Eleusis" then give (452) at the end of the sentence. If not, then give (h. Cer. 452).
Abbreviations: Use the following: h. Ap. for Homeric Hymn to Apollo; h. Merc. for Homeric Hymn to Hermes; h. Ven. for Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite; h. Cer for Homeric Hymn to Demeter (FYI: the abbreviations use the Roman names for the deities) NB: make sure you italicize the titles/abbreviations of the hymns.
Bibliography: include the following at the end of your paper

translations of the Homeric Hymn to Hermes & Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite (or Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite & Homeric Hymn to Demeter) are by Herbert M. Howe in Powell, Barry B. 2007. Classical Myth. 5th edit. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Paper#3 topic Directions:

e-mail a copy to me (victor.leuci@westminster-mo.edu)
bring a paper copy to class
length: 600-900
writing intensive: because Monday and Tuesday are holidays, e-mail me a copy of your paper by midnight Tuesday and then e-mail me what time you would like to meet for our conference on Monday (I will list possible times and whether they have been taken on ANGEL).
for more information about the format and about the writing intensive requirements, click here

Write on one of the following:

1. Recently in class we went over three different anthropological theories for interpreting myths. Apply Malinowski's Charter Theory to the interpretation of one or two of the following: the Cybele & Attis myth, the Isis & Osiris myth, Ananna & Dumuzi myth, or the Aphrodite & Adonis myth as given in Powell, Ch. 9. At the beginning of your essay state briefly but sufficiently what the theory is.

2. Recently in class we went over three different anthropological theories for interpreting myths. Apply Levi-Strauss' Structural Theory to the interpretation of one or two of the following: the Cybele & Attis myth, the Isis & Osiris myth, Ananna & Dumuzi myth, or the Aphrodite & Adonis myth as given in Powell, Ch. 9. At the beginning of your essay state briefly but sufficiently what the theory is.

Citation directions:

In-text: Use the page numbers as given in Powell.

Bibliography: include the following at the end of your paper

Powell, Barry B. 2007. Classical Myth. 5th edit. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Paper #4 topic

Directions:

e-mail a copy to me (victor.leuci@westminster-mo.edu)
bring a paper copy to class
length: 600-900
citing: if you use selections from the script of the movie (click here), then cite as follows (Hercules, script). Your bibliography should include the following:

"Disney's Hercules." Script at The Disney Freak's Web Site. date accessed. <http://www.angelfire.com/movies/disneybroadway/herculesscript.html>

for more information about the format & writing intensive click here
writing intensive--don't forget to turn in the draft copy with my or the Writing Lab's comments on it for it to count towards your revised paper total

Write on the following:

Because Disney recast the Heracles myth for an American audience, one can apply Malinowski's theory to the movie Hercules. Using your knowledge of American culture, explore some of the ways that the movie acts as a 'charter' for American society. Note: you may use selections from the script of the movie (see above for citing) or not--the choice is yours.

Paper #5 topic

Directions:

Electronic copy: e-mail to me (victor.leuci@westminster-mo.edu)

Paper copy: bring to class

Length: 600-1000ish

Citing: for xenia and the heroic code give: (class notes, 11-10-08); for the Odyssey, give the line number(s)

Bibliography: at the end of your paper (not a separate page): Powell, Barry B. 2007. Classical Myth. 5th edit. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Writing intensive:

for more information, click here

don't forget to turn in the draft copy with my or the Writing Lab's comments on it for it to count towards your revised paper total

Write on the following: Examine how xenia and the heroic code (as explained in class lecture) are important to the Polyphemus episode in the Odyssey as given in Powell's book, pages 596-606. In your introduction, give a brief definition of xenia and the heroic code.

Paper #6 topic

Directions:

Electronic copy: e-mail to me (victor.leuci@westminster-mo.edu)

Paper copy: bring to class

Length: 600-1000ish

Citing: for xenia and the heroic code give: (class notes, 11-10-08 or the correct page number for Powell and then add Powell to your bibliography); for the movie, use the same approach as for the last movie.

Bibliography: if you use the script, include a bibliography at the end of your paper (not on a separate page):

"O Brother, Where Art Thou" Script at The Weekly Script. date accessed. <http://www.weeklyscript.com/O%20Brother%20Where%20Art%20Thou.txt>

Writing intensive:

e-mail me a copy by 5pm on Saturday, Dec. 6 along with possible conferencing times for Monday, Dec. 8 (between 9-10, 11-1, 2-3).

don't forget to turn in the draft copy with my (or the Writing Lab's) comments on it for it to count towards your revised paper total.

for more information, click here

Write on the following: Examine how xenia and the heroic code (as explained in class lecture) are important to the "Polyphemus" episode in movie. In your introduction, give a brief definition of xenia and the heroic code. If you wish to use the script of the movie: (click here)