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?
• Mayan: "Maker, Modeler, Bearer, Begetter"or Sovereign Plumed Serpent, "Heart of Sky" or Hurricane, names of the four first humans (Jaguar Quitze, Jaguar Night, Mahucutah, True Jaguar)

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

• Hindu: Arjuna, Krishna, relatives/the masses, Sanjaya, Brahma
  
• Yoruba: Olorun, Orunmila, Eshu, Agemo (the cameleon), orishas
• Norse: Odin, Thor, Hrungnir, Mist Calf, Mjollnir, Magni, Groa, Sleipnor, Golden Mane
  

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

• Ga:Anaanu, God, bees, python, leopard
  
• Yoruba: Ajapa, Aja, oba
• Wasco: Coyote, grizzly bears, meadow lark, 5 wolves,
  
• Apache Coyote, rosehips, crows,
  
• Iroquois: Coyote, Saucy Duckfeather, Magpie Woman,
  
• Blackfoot: Coyote Man, Coyote Woman
  
• Norse: Thor, Sif, Loki, dwarves (sons of Ivaldi), dwarves (Brokk & Eitri), Mjollnir, other gifts
  
• Greek: see Powell, Ch 5 (click here) (pay attention to the terms at the back of the chapters)

Possible Essay Questions (400-600 words long):

1. Evidence to draw from: Ch 2, 4-5 from Leonard; Ch 4-5 from Powell, but exclude the Norse and Greek myths.
Prompt: Many of the characters in the myths we have studied are clearly defined individuals. Compare and contrast three of these key individuals from three different cultures, focusing on significant points of comparison/contrast.

2. Evidence to draw from: Norse (the Norse myths in Leonard, Ch 4 & 5), Native American (Iroquios & Blackfoots, Leonard, Ch 5, and Greek (Powell, Ch 4 and/or 5; you may also use the translation in Trzaskoma, for Apollodorus pp 21-23 and for Hesiod's Theogony or Works & Days).
Prompt: Using solely the evidence listed above for two of the cultural 'groups', examine what these myths reveal about how each culture's view females (or males). In your conclusion look at what similarities or differences in these cultures views can tell us.

3. Prompt: Examine the relationship between humanity and the 'gods' in the three of the creation myths covered in Powell and Leonard's books. [FYI: make sure you cover three different cultures; make sure you use examples from both Powell and Leonard; you may also use the translations in Trzaskoma for Apollodorus (pp 21-23) and for Hesiod's Theogony or Works & Days]